![](https://californiaglobe.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/KBS_2474-1210x642.jpg)
Senator Anthony Portantino. (Photo: Kevin Sanders for California Globe)
Annual Firearm Registration Bill Faces Increased Flak As Committee Hearing Date Approaches
‘SB 1160 is yet another half-brained scheme to tax our constitutionally protected right’
By Evan Symon, March 18, 2024 6:53 pm
A bill to would require gun owners to annually register their firearms with the California Department of Justice faces a rockier road in Sacramento in the coming weeks as more and more groups come out in opposition against the proposed legislation.
According to Senate Bill 1160, authored by Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank), the bill would expand the current law, which states that the sale of transfer of firearms must go through a licensed firearms dealer, and that information regarding each firearm sale or transfer must be submitted to the Department of Justice. SB 1160 would require every firearm in the state to be annually registered with the department. The bill would require the registrant to annually pay a fee to be deposited into a special fund that is continuously appropriated to the department for the express purpose of carrying out the administration and enforcement of the firearm registry.
In addition, SB 1160 would require the department to establish and maintain a system for the annual registration of firearms and would require the department to make registration information available to other law enforcement agencies. The bill would require the department to make reasonable efforts to notify firearms dealers, firearm owners, and the general public regarding registration requirements. Guns used by law enforcement personnel for their jobs would be exempt from SB 1160.
The bill’s annual registration fee cost will be determined by the Department of Justice, with the fee not allowed to exceed the cost of the program. Fines for owning an unregistered firearm would be set at $1,000.
Senator Portantino wrote the bill as a “common sense” gun law measure. He specifically wants to have the registry created as a result of annual registrations as a way to create accountability for gun owners and have it improve public safety as a result.
“SB 1160 will give the state better data and help us understand how many firearms are in private hands and who owns them,” said Portantino last month. “Currently we only have rough estimates on how many firearms are in California. This important step toward registration will also increase accountability and responsible gun ownership as we collectively endeavor to increase public safety.”
While there has been some support for the bill, opposition against the bill has grown significantly in the past few weeks. Gun rights groups such as the NRA and Gunowners of California have come out vehemently against the bill.
Opposition grows against SB 1160
“SB 1160 is yet another half-brained scheme to tax our constitutionally protected right,” Gunowners of California said in a statement. “We vow to defeat this bill.”
The California Rifle and Pistol Association (CRPA) also added, “Those of you who thought gun control didn’t matter because they weren’t going after you or your gun, we told you this was always part of their plan. They want to know about every single gun in the state, and every single gun owner. And they are going to charge you a fee on each gun you have, every single year. Your plinker? Registered and taxed annually. Your hunting shotgun? Registered and taxed annually.”
“We told you so. And now here it is in black and white: the California legislature is moving to pass Senate Bill 1160. No one is safe from this. Every gun owner in California will be affected and will have to pay the state for the “privilege” of owning a gun for sport or to defend your family.”
The cost part of the bill has specifically made this bills future rocky. Many citizens groups, specifically those in lower income areas, say that the annual cost unfairly punishes the poor and lower-income citizens who need weapons for protections to to protect their businesses.
“SB 1160 is punishing the poor, full stop,” said Marco Rodriguez, a neighborhood watch leader in a neighborhood in Los Angeles. “We want to protect our homes, our families, our neighbors. Leah, the LAPD we can call, but they won’t come immediately. We need protection now. The best way to do that is have a firearm.”
“And we all get why some people think more gun control is better. But this thing they want passed, you know, rich owners can afford it can. But a lot of us may not be able to afford it. and then if we don’t register because it is too expensive, we get a fine on top of that. This hurts so many poor gunowners who want to do the right thing and follow the laws to have a gun to keep them safe. People who are for this bill obviously don’t care about poor people. The whole registry thing is another problem on its own, but the annual fee is evil to do to us.”
SB 1160 is due to be heard in the Senate Public Safety Committee on April 2nd.
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Registration = Confiscation
After Confiscation comes the Bloodbath. History bears it out.
And how does this new law stop the real criminals ? Enough already.
The bill only does 2 things: enact a new tax and collect data on gun owners. It does nothing useful with the money it collects and raises suspicions about future intentions. It is one more government agency to mess up data retention and leak personal data with no specified purpose. When the real purpose is eventually revealed, I’m sure it will be to empower the collective rather than individuals.
Smells like another scheme to subvert our 2A rights.
A nudge to dissuade gun ownership and collect a user tax too.
Infringement anyone?
“… the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
Typical “hit and run” to gather headlines before the courts toss it out.
If they only spent as much time on reducing crime we might be able to go out unarmed. I guess the criminals have a bigger lobby with more money.
“You vill register your guns!”
Adolph Hitler, 1932
Oh look, yet another anti-2A law form California that will be struck down in the courts if it passes. You can’t tax and regulate a right. And unlike voting, keeping and bearing arms IS a right.
How about we tax Portantino for every trip he makes to the buffet table, instead???
The California deficit will be paid off within a year… maybe two….
So Senator Anthony Portantino, the former Hollywood set designer turned Democrat mafia political hack, is pushing a bill that would require responsible gun owners to annually register their firearms with the California Department of Justice? Would illegal aliens have to register their firearms as well considering that U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman, a Democrat appointed by Barack Obama, ruled that an illegal immigrant has the right to bear arms under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution? How fair is it that federal felons who are U.S. Citizens no longer have second amendment rights but someone who breaks federal immigration law gets to have second amendment rights? Some have speculated that the ruling is setting the U.S. up to be invaded by armed foreign invaders?
(https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/03/obama-appointed-judge-rules-illegal-immigrants-can-carry/)
I’m so tired of politicians like Portantino who try to capitalize on school shootings by lumping all guns into one category. Hunting firearms — shotguns and hunting rifles — aren’t responsible for suicides and are very rarely used in crimes. How about some “common sense” (as he describes all his over-reaching legislation) provisions/exceptions related to hunting, target shooting, Olympic training and youth competitive shooting leagues? I’m glad to see the opposition is mounting and this poorly-thought out legislation should go down in defeat.
SB 1160 is a violation of 18 USC 922. Under federal law, a firearms registry is illegal. Portantino says it’s not a violation of this law, but it clearly is a violation…
Gun owners of California must unite we have the votes to get these gun grabbers out of office. Anthony needs to go back to making set designs, maybe get a little exercise and better diet this may clear his thinking. AB 1160 is political suicide. This is just another way for these liberals to tax gun owners and gun confiscation for people who can’t afford to pay this tax.