Annual Firearm Registration Bill Faces Increased Flak As Committee Hearing Date Approaches

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.