California Gun Law Paves the Way for Confiscation

[SecularMotion]

SACRAMENTO -- Gun registration had always seemed like the “line in the sand” — a proposal that would so offend the nation’s gun-rights advocates that they would bring out their full political muscle to stop it. Yet a California law mandating government record-keeping for all new long-gun purchases goes into effect on Jan. 1 and few people even seem to know about it.

This year, gun owners were relieved that Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed the toughest gun-control measures that came to his desk, including one that would have banned sales of almost all semi-automatic rifles. But back in 2011, after much debate, the governor signed the registration law, AB 809, with a 2014 start date. It’s far broader than any of the bills the governor dealt with in the last session.

Supporters claim it’s not exactly registration, in that the law calls for the state to retain background-check records of those who purchase guns and does not register specific guns to specific people. Opponents say that’s just semantics. The main element of registration is that the government can track legal gun owners. In this case the department will have a list of every owner and the specific guns each person buys. The state already tracks the purchases of handguns and “assault weapons.”

The new law will bolster a program that has generated much controversy. Earlier this month, legislators held hearings on the effectiveness of the Armed Prohibited Persons System, used to confiscate the firearms of California residents who are no longer eligible to own them. The California Department of Justice relies on the current ownership lists to identify gun owners and cross check those with lists of people who have been convicted of crimes or have been involuntarily committed for mental issues.

http://reason.com/archives/2014/01/03/california-gun-law-paves-the-way-for-con

[NYC_SKP]

1. I don't have a particular problem with this law, do you?

Provided they do it right.

Gun Owners of California reported recently that the system is anywhere from 40 percent to 60 percent incorrect. Others put the percentage lower, but it’s still high. In many cases, the department doesn’t reinstate the gun rights of people who are allowed to once again own them, said the group’s executive director, Sam Paredes. A vastly expanded ownership list will lead to more mistakes.

Hello?

[Duckhunter935]

2. Agreed

What is the appeal process. What is the check and balance in place? Even if 10 -20 percent incorrect, that is a problem.

Hope the list is never misused.

A prohibited person should not have a weapon. But I can see where gun owners can be leery of this. These lists are never misused or wrong, I seem to remember Ted Kennedy was on the no fly list.........

[Duckhunter935]

3. What do you think about this law?