"Gun Control Legislation has been a daily topic in the news as of late and it doesn't seem to be going away any time soon. Bill after bill is proposed to increase background checks, limit sales of ammunition, and restrict some guns from being sold altogether. Some argue these laws are necessary and others think they are ridiculous. While everyone is entitled to their own opinion on gun control legislation, the opinions of our your local governor and state representatives are the only ones that matter at the end of the day. From what we've seen thus far, Republicans are generally anti gun control while Democrats are pro gun control. Governor Jerry Brown is a Democrat, so naturally one would think he would be pro gun control and in favor of stricter gun control legislation. Surprisingly this has been far from the case as he takes more of a libertarian approach and is a longtime gun owner himself. The bills recently struck down by Mr. Jerry Brown were Bills 374 and 567. 374 would have banned semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines and required firearm owners to register even low-capacity rifles as assault weapons. 567 also attempted to define certain rifles and shotguns as assault weapons. The idea here is to move as many gun classifications as possible to the ""assault weapons"" category so they fall under the assault weapons ban and have several new restrictions. Both of these bills were struck down by Brown as he didn't ""believe that this bill's blanket ban on semi-automatic rifles would reduce criminal activity or enhance public safety enough to warrant this infringement on gun owners' rights."" Brown did however sign several other smaller pieces of gun legislation into law. This new Gun Control Legislation will limit sales of high-capacity magazines, prohibit businesses from applying for assault weapons permits and restrict access to firearms for mentally ill patients. This is truly great news for gun owners and it's comforting to know that California has a governor that cares more about what's in the best interest for the general population rather than appeasing the few complainers."
