Should AB 2860 be enacted, the repeal would significantly alter existing law regarding public safety and gun control in California. Currently, the state law prohibits the manufacture or sale of handguns that are not classified as safe, contributing to a regulatory framework aimed at preventing the distribution of potentially dangerous firearms. Eliminating this oversight could lead to an influx of handguns on the market without the guarantee of safety evaluations, raising concerns among public safety advocates regarding the potential increase in gun-related accidents and criminal incidents involving unsafe handguns.
Summary
Assembly Bill 2860, introduced by Assembly Member Travis Allen on February 16, 2018, seeks to repeal existing provisions within the California Penal Code concerning the manufacture and sale of handguns deemed unsafe. Specifically, the bill targets Articles 4, 5, and 6 of Chapter 4, which establish criteria for assessing handgun safety and mandate that manufacturers submit new models for testing to ensure their safeness before they can be sold in the state. The bill's intent is to eliminate these oversight requirements, which proponents argue stifle innovation and make it unnecessarily burdensome for manufacturers to introduce new handgun designs.
Contention
The introduction of AB 2860 sparked considerable debate among legislators and public advocacy groups. Supporters of the bill argue that these regulations can hinder gun manufacturers and limit consumer choices in the market. However, opponents point out that repealing safety requirements could jeopardize community safety and undermine years of progress made in regulating firearms. The proposal faced criticisms for prioritizing business interests over public welfare, and the discussions highlighted a sharp divide between proponents of gun rights and advocates for stricter handgun safety measures.