9/14/2004--One
of the most vexing questions for gun owners over the years has
been whether Arnold Schwarzenegger is pro-gun or anti-gun.
Today, the California governor answered that question by signing
into law AB 50, the bill banning the possession of .50 BMG ammunition
and guns chambered for that caliber.
This makes California the only state to ban .50 BMG ammunition,
and the only state that bans any bolt-action rifles (some .50
BMG rifles are single-shot, bolt-action).
Current owners of .50 BMG rifles must register them with the
state or face confiscation. The ban on .50 BMG ammunition also
presents current owners with a dilemna: if they're allowed to
own the rifles, but not possess the ammunition, how are they to
shoot them?
Governor Schwarzenegger became the darling of Republicans nationwide
following his speech at the Republican National Convention. However,
many gun owners from coast to coast now view him as a "RINO"
(Republican In Name Only).
On the horizon are two other anti-gun bills awaiting Governor
Schwarzenegger's signature or veto.
SB1152, which passed both the state assembly and senate earlier
this summer, would require the registration of ammunition. Purchasers
would be required to provide their name, address, birth date and
fingerprint, all of which would be made available to law enforcement.
SB1733 bans gun shows at the Cow Palace. While at first glance
the bill may seem limited in scope, the language of the bill would
make it easy to ban all gun shows throughout the state.
It is often said that as goes California, so goes the nation.
Governor Schwarzenegger's signing of AB50 should serve as a wakeup
call for any gun owners in other states who think that "it
can't happen here."
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