Assembly Bill 1511 Will Bring California’s Background Check Law In Line with Other States That Have Closed the Background Check Loophole; Current Law Gives Dangerous People Easy Access to a Gun Without a Background Check
Last Week, More than 100 Moms, Elected Leaders and Gun Violence Survivors Rallied at State Capitol to Urge Passage of AB 1511 for a Safer California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and members of the Everytown Survivor Network, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. for signing Assembly Bill 1511 into law. This legislation will help keep guns out of dangerous hands by closing a dangerous gap in California’s background check law.
California’s existing background check law includes a dangerous loophole, one that is broader than any other state that requires criminal background checks on all gun sales. This loophole allows anyone to borrow a gun for up to 30 days without a background check. Assembly Bill 1511 will bring California in line with the vast majority of the states with comprehensive background check laws, including neighboring states like Washington and Oregon.
STATEMENT FROM SARA SMIRIN, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE CALIFORNIA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“I am thankful for the leadership of the California legislature and Governor Brown in closing a loophole that has allowed dangerous people to get their hands on a gun – no background check, no questions asked. California Moms are grateful that elected officials listened to their constituents and put in place a comprehensive, watertight background check system in the Golden State. Assembly Bill 1511 closes a dangerous loophole, which will help keep our families and communities safe.”
STATEMENT FROM RICHARD MARTINEZ, WHOSE SON CHRISTOPHER ROSS MICHAELS-MARTINEZ WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN THE MAY 2014 SHOOTING IN ISLA VISTA AND OUTREACH ASSOCIATE FOR EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY:
“It’s gratifying to see Governor Brown and our elected leaders stand up for public safety by enacting AB1511, a common sense measure to reduce gun violence. The daily toll of gun violence surrounds us right here in our state, and California’s leaders have stepped up to save lives by helping to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people. This legislation will spare other families the horror that my family lives with every day – the horror of having your child shot and killed. Thank you Governor Brown; thank you to our legislature.”
Last week, gun safety advocates held a rally at the California State Capitol and met with elected leaders, urging them to pass AB 1511. While meeting with elected leaders, gun safety advocates delivered more than 11,000 petition signatures urging the passage of AB 1511.
