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 the California Assembly for passing Assembly Bill 1511, which would help keep guns out of dangerous hands by closing a dangerous gap in California’s background check law. The bill now heads to the desk of Governor Jerry Brown.
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 would 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 KEELER, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE CALIFORNIA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“When it comes to keeping guns out of dangerous hands, it’s vital that we have an air-tight system in place. Right now in California, we have a gap in our current law that allows dangerous people to get their hands on a gun – no background check, no questions asked. California Moms are proud of our leaders for listening to the will of their constituents by passing Assembly Bill 1511 and urge Governor Brown to follow the lead of his colleagues in the statehouse by signing AB 1511 into law immediately. This legislation 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:
“Our leaders in the statehouse have done their part to stand up for public safety in California and now it’s time for Governor Brown to continue the progress and sign AB 1511 into law. The daily toll of gun violence surrounds us and right here in California, we have an opportunity to do more to keep guns out of dangerous hands and therefore save lives. AB 1511 is a bill that can spare other families the kind of pain that my family lives with every day from having a loved one shot and killed. I urge the Governor to sign this important piece of legislation into law right away and help make a safer California.”
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.