California Legislature sends bill to Governor making it a misdemeanor to openly carry a long rifle in unincorporated areas of a County

Wednesday, September 20, 2017
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Assembly Bill 7, authored by Mike Gipson (D-Carson) specifies that "it is a misdemeanor to openly carry a long gun in a public place in an area where discharge of a firearm is prohibited in an unincorporated area of a county."

In writing to ask for support of AB7, Gipson (D-Carson) says, "This legislation has widespread approval by the majority of Californians. Assembly Bill 7 will close a dangerous loophole that allows the open carry of long-guns in unincorporated areas. This is a completely unacceptable loophole because the flaunting of assault weapons invites mayhem, confusion, and fear. I will continue to stand with my colleagues in the legislature, gun safety advocates, and all of my constituents to reduce gun violence in California. I believe we have what it takes to rise above political division and enact laws that will strengthen public safety and reduce the plague of gun violence."
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In writing its opposition to the bill, the National Rifle Association wrote the following:

"We are not aware of a person openly carrying an unloaded firearm in an unincorporated area being convicted of any crime between 2012 and now. With this being said, this is just another bill harassing law-abiding gun owners exercising their Second Amendment rights."
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"It is obvious that AB 7 is not about reducing California's firearm crime rate, but is simply another attempt to further strip the law-abiding citizens of the Golden State of their Constitutional right to self-defense."

The bill is now sitting on Governor Jerry Brown's desk. He has until October 15th to act on it.
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