California approves law prohibiting open carry
Posted: Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:42:54
http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/01/19 ... dguns.html
California approves limit on handguns
By Jim Sanders
McClatchy Newspapers
More News
SACRAMENTO, Calif. | California lawmakers are taking aim at a protest movement that encourages participants to show up at public places en masse with handguns strapped to their side.
The “Open Carry” movement sparked shock waves last year when about a dozen people carrying guns stood outside an Arizona convention center where President Barack Obama was speaking.
The California Assembly narrowly passed legislation Tuesday to prohibit the practice, which typically is meant to protest gun-control laws or the scarcity of concealed-weapons permits. It is legal if the guns are not loaded.
“We think it’s an accident waiting to happen,” Amanda Wilcox, of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said of gun-toting protesters mixing with frightened citizens in public places.
Wilcox said that allowing firearms in public — recently such a demonstration occurred in downtown Sacramento — sends the wrong message to children.
But Sam Paredes, executive director of Gun Owners of California, said the legislation passed Tuesday, Assembly Bill 1934, is an attempt to stifle the constitutional right to bear arms.
Republican Assemblyman Chuck DeVore said the bill violates free-speech rights, too, by targeting protesters.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the bill.
The legislation would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, to carry an exposed handgun in a public place or on a public street in a city or in prohibited areas of unincorporated county territory.
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/01/19 ... z0ph9pPEVW
California approves limit on handguns
By Jim Sanders
McClatchy Newspapers
More News
SACRAMENTO, Calif. | California lawmakers are taking aim at a protest movement that encourages participants to show up at public places en masse with handguns strapped to their side.
The “Open Carry” movement sparked shock waves last year when about a dozen people carrying guns stood outside an Arizona convention center where President Barack Obama was speaking.
The California Assembly narrowly passed legislation Tuesday to prohibit the practice, which typically is meant to protest gun-control laws or the scarcity of concealed-weapons permits. It is legal if the guns are not loaded.
“We think it’s an accident waiting to happen,” Amanda Wilcox, of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, said of gun-toting protesters mixing with frightened citizens in public places.
Wilcox said that allowing firearms in public — recently such a demonstration occurred in downtown Sacramento — sends the wrong message to children.
But Sam Paredes, executive director of Gun Owners of California, said the legislation passed Tuesday, Assembly Bill 1934, is an attempt to stifle the constitutional right to bear arms.
Republican Assemblyman Chuck DeVore said the bill violates free-speech rights, too, by targeting protesters.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position on the bill.
The legislation would make it a misdemeanor, punishable by a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, to carry an exposed handgun in a public place or on a public street in a city or in prohibited areas of unincorporated county territory.
Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/06/01/19 ... z0ph9pPEVW