CA Gun Laws

Thought I'd post this as info for those in CA & a warning to those outside.  Unfortunately, with cars & guns what happens in CA tends to make its way east.

Just visited the CA DOJ website, found two interesting changes for 2006 regarding handguns. All new model centerfire semiauto handguns must have mag disconnect & loaded chamber indicator. Old models are still OK for sale.  Also, single shot pistols (T/C Contender & Encore type) don't need to pass the CA handgun safety tests. In effect, they're treated as rifles.  This means you can buy the frame alone, something not previously allowed. 

The Encore is a good example of the foolishness of these laws.  The Encore frame when attached to a 22" bbl is a rifle; when attached to a 15" bbl it's a handgun - the frame itself is mechanically the same.  Since handguns must pass a CA drop test, T/C shipped only complete rifles to CA.  Whereupon we then fit it with handgun barrels & grips. 

Re semiauto pistols, I guess this means no new models of 1911s unless they have loaded chamber indicator & mag disconnect.  Hopefully if these can be designed someone will do it without wrecking the trigger pull & appearance of the pistol.

For those of you fortunate enough to be outside CA (I hope to be one of those fortunate ones) don't buy into approved gun lists, gun safety tests, etc.  They're just a vehicle to ban guns step by step.  And passing waiting periods, testing, paying for gunlocks & background checks each time a gun is purchased - they're designed to make gun ownership difficult and lower the number of people who get involved.  Makes it easier to pass restrictive gun laws.

Just thought I'd post the contents of the bill as that may help someone else in CA wanting buy one.  There seems to be a fair amount of "you can't buy that here" from CA gunshops.  It may be that a barrel must be attached, the 10 1/2'" OAL seems to require that.

I've seen the frames alone at Reeds in San Jose for $329.00 - no barrel attached.  Now whether they'd say you must also buy a barrel - or show up with one of your own - I don't know for certain. 

The bill mentions pistols of fewer than 5 shots being exempted.  Maybe Freedom Arms will come out with a 4 shot 45/70 - I'd buy one just to tick off the CA government. 

By the way, all this discussion over whether or not we can buy a single shot pistol.  Can you believe that's what's happened to the gun owners in CA? 

BILL NUMBER: SB 269 CHAPTERED
BILL TEXT

CHAPTER  683
FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  OCTOBER 7, 2005
APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  OCTOBER 7, 2005
PASSED THE SENATE  AUGUST 30, 2005
PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 25, 2005
AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  AUGUST 16, 2005
AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 28, 2005

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Dutton

                          FEBRUARY 15, 2005

   An act to amend Section 12133 of the Penal Code, relating to
unsafe handguns.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 269, Dutton  Unsafe handguns.
   Existing law exempts certain specified handguns from satisfying
the requirements necessary for a handgun not to be classified as
unsafe.
   This bill would also exempt single-shot pistols with a barrel
length of not less than 6 inches and which has an overall length of
at least 101/2 inches when the handle, frame or receiver, and barrel
are assembled.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 12133 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
   12133.  (a) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to a
single-action revolver that has at least a 5-cartridge capacity with
a barrel length of not less than three inches, and meets any of the
following specifications:
   (1) Was originally manufactured prior to 1900 and is a curio or
relic, as defined in Section 478.11 of Title 27 of the Code of
Federal Regulations.
   (2) Has an overall length measured parallel to the barrel of at
least 71/2 inches when the handle, frame or receiver, and barrel are
assembled.
   (3) Has an overall length measured parallel to the barrel of at
least 71/2 inches when the handle, frame or receiver, and barrel are
assembled and that is currently approved for importation into the
United States pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of
subsection (d) of Section 925 of Title 18 of the United States Code.

   (b) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to a
single-shot pistol with a barrel length of not less than six inches
and that has an overall length of at least 101/2 inches when the
handle, frame or receiver, and barrel are assembled.

I got news for ya' - Kalifornia left this planet a long time ago. 

For "24mod12" - I did a little driving, visited alot of gunstores in Vacaville, Sacramento & San Jose.  Three stores had Encore pistol frames only for sale, new from factory and I was told by all that they can be sold without a barrel.  River City Gun Store in Sac had theirs for $319.00, the others were about $330.00. 

I don't know whose dealer is right or wrong - my experience with Reeds is that they are always very knowledgable about the CA gun laws.