Governor's Office:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: 916-445-2841
Fax: 916-558-3160 ( new number )
Here's the actual language of the legislation ("enrolled" means it's gone to the governor):Re: AB 2498 (Saldana) Firearms training: requires eligibility check to possess firearms before receiving firearms training from instructors or businesses with federal contracts
California Association of Firearms Retailers (CAFR)
Position on AB 2498: Opposed, veto requested
Your involvment in securing a veto of AB 2498 is requested. This bill would have a harmful effect on current and future firearms safety and proficiency training courses that are available to the general public.
It would establish a dual standard for individuals receiving firearms training.
One standard requires criminal and mental history background check if the instructor also has a federal contract for unrelated training.
The other standard requires no background check if the instructor does not have a federal contract for unrelated training.
AB 2498 would impose unequal treatment for two groups in the same category depending on whether their instructor has a federal contract.
Background checks are expensive and would put much needed training out of the economic reach of many. The result of AB 2498 would be fewer gun owners receiving critical firearms training and an overall decline in firearms safety.
For the above reasons, your involvement in securing a veto of AB 2498 is urgently requested. Time is short. Please use the links below to collect much needed signatures. Form letters are provided for your convenience. Please take action today.
We'll take any and all help we can get to convince Arnold to VETO this fucked-up bill!BILL NUMBER: AB 2498 ENROLLED
BILL TEXT
PASSED THE SENATE AUGUST 14, 2008
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY AUGUST 18, 2008
AMENDED IN SENATE AUGUST 7, 2008
AMENDED IN SENATE JULY 10, 2008
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 25, 2008
AMENDED IN SENATE JUNE 2, 2008
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY APRIL 23, 2008
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY MARCH 25, 2008
INTRODUCED BY Assembly Member Saldana
FEBRUARY 21, 2008
An act to add Article 9 (commencing with Section 12820) to Chapter
6 of Title 2 of Part 4 of the Penal Code, relating to private
firearms training organizations.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 2498, Saldana. Firearms training: eligibility to possess
firearms.
Existing law regulates who may lawfully possess a firearm.
Existing law also generally regulates firearms training facilities.
This bill would require certain private organizations offering
firearms training to obtain proof, prior to providing the training,
that a person seeking to obtain the training is eligible to possess a
firearm, as specified. This bill would exempt certain properly
identified persons from having to show proof that they are eligible
to possess a firearm, as specified. The bill would authorize local
governments to revoke the business license of any organization that
violates these provisions.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Article 9 (commencing with Section 12820) is added to
Chapter 6 of Title 2 of Part 4 of the Penal Code, to read:
Article 9. Private Firearms Training Organizations
12820. (a) Any organization that provides firearms training,
firearms tactical training, or security tactical training, and has a
written contract for firearms training with the federal government
shall require proof that any individual obtaining the training is
eligible to possess a firearm. Proof that a person is eligible to
possess a firearm shall include either of the following:
(1) A copy of a firearms eligibility check issued by the
Department of Justice pursuant to Section 12077.5, provided that the
document was obtained within three months prior to obtaining the
training.
(2) A valid certificate of eligibility issued by the Department of
Justice pursuant to Section 12071.
(b) This section shall not apply to any of the following:
(1) Firearms training required to obtain a handgun safety
certificate as defined in Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 12800)
of Title 2 of Part 4.
(2) Firearms training conducted pursuant to Section 832.
(3) Firearms training conducted by the United States military or
the California National Guard.
(c) The following persons, properly identified, are exempted from
providing proof of firearms eligibility prior to obtaining the
training:
(1) Any active peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5
(commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2.
(2) Any active federal officer or law enforcement agent who is
authorized to carry a firearm within the course and scope of his or
her duties.
(3) Any reserve peace officer, as defined in Section 832.6.
(4) An active member of the United States Armed Forces, the
National Guard, the Air National Guard, or the active reserve
components of the United States, where individuals in those
organizations are properly identified. For purposes of this
paragraph, proper identification includes the Armed Forces
Identification Card or other written documentation certifying that
the individual is an active member.
(d) A local government may revoke the business license of any
organization that violates this section.
