Ammunition Bill Awaits Governor's Decision

[The Straight Story]

Ammunition Bill Awaits Governor's Decision

SACRAMENTO, CA - The way handgun ammunition is purchased could soon change if a bill on Gov. Schwarzenegger's desk is signed into law.

Assembly Bill 962 was approved by lawmakers last month. It would require handgun ammunition to be kept behind the counter where customers cannot access it without assistance. It would also require gun shop owners to thumbprint people who buy handgun ammunition, as well as record their identification and provide that information to police.

"Where does it start and where does it stop? We have unalienable rights. We have rights as individuals and most of the people see this as a situation where they continue to take way individual rights," said John Barritt, owner of Badger John's gun store in Sacramento.

Supporters of AB 962 point to ordinances already in effect in 16 California cities and counties as evidence that the bill would keep guns out of the hands of criminals. A similar ordinance in Sacramento has resulted in police confiscating 144 firearms from prohibited purchasers such as convicted felons.

"I would stand in line for an hour to buy ammunition if it's saved lives. What's a human life worth? And compare that to two extra minutes to buy, purchase ammunition," said Amanda Wilcox, whose daughter Laura was shot and killed by a mentally ill man in 2001.

http://www.news10.net/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=68254&catid=2

[jinto86]

1. Okay just asking... how is this not overkill?

If you already have to do this stuff to get the gun, why make people do it to get the ammunition too? I mean I get that you can get a gun in less the legal ways... but you can get the ammunition that way too... I am sorry I just don't get it.

[The Straight Story]

2. feel good legislation (nt)

[TheWraith]

3. Bingo. It's like mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession.

There's no evidence that such laws actually reduce crime in the least, but it makes the guys responsible LOOK like they're doing something. And it's easier than actually attempting to fix the gang problem in California.

[Don Caballero]

4. This is a step in the right direction

It is the excessive ammo citizens are allowed to buy that is becoming the problem. If closer tabs are kept on who has what and how much, it will be much easier to solve crimes.

[armyowalgreens]

5. What do you mean by "excessive ammo"?

[pipoman]

6. Any studies or reports supporting your claim,

"It is the excessive ammo citizens are allowed to buy that is becoming the problem."? I would be willing to bet that criminals who commit most gun crimes have a minimal amount of ammunition...like one load in the weapon they are using or 1 box. The people who buy 1,000 rounds at a time are mostly target and sport shooters, many use several hundred (perhaps over 1,000) rounds in a day or over a weekend...these are largely not the people who commit crimes with guns.

[Tejas]

7. Wonder if she even owns a firearm?

"I would stand in line for an hour to buy ammunition if it's saved lives. What's a human life worth? And compare that to two extra minutes to buy, purchase ammunition," said Amanda Wilcox, whose daughter Laura was shot and killed by a mentally ill man in 2001.

[Ikonoklast]

8. As per usual, punish criminals by going after the law-abiding.

What would stop a criminal from going across a state line to purchase ammunition in order to avoid these regulations?

Nothing.


Instead of locking up drug abusers for twenty years, lock up actual criminals who are caught with a weapon for a minimum mandatory twenty, no parole, no early release.

You do a crime with a firearm, or get caught with one on your person as a convicted felon or parolee, you're going away for a twenty-year stretch.

[old mark]

9. It amazes me how these antis always assume anyone who owns a gun

has intentions of commiting a crime with it - I guess we are all just waiting for the right opportunity to go off on society.
It's very insulting, actually, how much these people feel they can judge us and dictate our behavior.

mark