California Legislative Update: SB710

 

SACRAMENTO, CA – On Tuesday, January 9th, the ASA was on the ground in Sacramento to testify in support of Senate Bill 710 before the Senate Public Safety Committee. Sponsored by Senator Joel Anderson (R-38), the Vice-Chair of the Committee, S.B. 710 seeks to legalize suppressors in California. Also providing testimony was Rick Rosenfield, California resident and co-founder of California Pizza Kitchen, who, despite using some of the most expensive hearing protection on the market, lost the majority of his hearing during a single trip to the range.

 

Although the bill did not receive the four votes needed to pass out of Committee, it did come close. The final vote count was three aye’s: Sen. Anderson, Sen. Jeff Stone (R-28), and Sen. Steven Bradford (D-35), two no’s: Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-19) and Sen. Scott Weiner (D-11), and two not-voting: Chairwoman Nancy Skinner (D-9) and Sen. Holly Mitchell (D-30).

 

The ASA would like to thank Senator Anderson for his leadership, the three Senators who voted in favor of S.B. 710, and the organizations who came out in support, including the Wild Sheep Foundation, California Deer Association, California Bowmen Hunters/State Archery Association, California Houndsmen for Conservation, California Waterfowl Association, California Association of Federal Firearms Licensees, Firearms Policy Coalition, National Shooting Sports Foundation, California Rifle and Pistol Association, and Gun Owners of California. We would also like to thank Chairwoman Skinner, the members of the Committee, and Amanda Wilcox of the Brady Campaign for engaging in a constructive debate. Despite many disagreements, it is this type of dialogue that is necessary.

 

The ASA remains committed to the legalization of suppressors in California, and will continue to work until law-abiding citizens in the Golden State are able to protect their hearing with suppressors. We are currently working to setup our next educational suppressor demonstration in Sacramento, and hope that Mrs. Wilcox, the members of the Committee, and all interested legislators will attend.

 

The full committee debate on S.B. 710 can be viewed here: http://senate.ca.gov/media/senate-public-safety-committee-20180109/video?time[senate-public-safety-committee-20180109]=5832.253548