Speaking of California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, his proposed gun-control initiative is meeting some resistance from many of the state’s sheriffs. The measure would require background checks for ammo and prohibit so-called “high-capacity” magazines—previously grandfathered in by California’s 1999 “assault weapons” ban—requiring owners to sell them to a dealer, transfer them out of state or turn them in to police.
But sheriffs say the measure will only affect law-abiding gun owners, including sport shooters, owners of currently-legal guns and magazines, and anyone passing down historical or family heirlooms—while doing nothing to keep guns and ammo from criminals. “Effectively, this measure will create a new class of criminals …” the California State Sheriff’s Association said in a letter. “The focus of efforts to reduce gun violence in this state should be on those responsible for that violence, not those that have no intent to do harm.”
Newsom’s proposal will need 366,000 signatures to qualify for November’s ballot.
