State Senator Lois Wolk has introduced a bill to establish a
UC Firearm Violence Research Center (SB-1006).
Here are details
To support this bill fax (916) 323-2304
Important News on the National Front
A new bill has been introduced in the House that deserves strong support:
Jackie Speier's "The Fix Gun Checks Act of 2015" (HR 3411)
Some background:
- The current national background check law (the Brady Act) does not apply to unlicensed firearm sales. This means that an estimated 40 percent of all gun purchasers are not required to undergo background checks!
- One bill now awaiting action in the House, the King-Thompson Background Check Bill (HR 1217), is identical to the failed Senate 2013 Manchin-Toomey bill. This attempt to fix the Brady Act has many loopholes itself. It applies to all commercial firearm sales, including at gun shows or over the internet, BUT it does not apply to private sales -- it would allow someone to sell a gun out of the trunk of his car without a background check, no questions asked. It also would interfere with California's own excellent gun laws.
- Speier's bill requires a background check for every gun sale or transfer (with certain reasonable exceptions, such as the transfer of a gun between family members). It also includes requirements that would help ensure that all individuals who should be prohibited from buying a gun are listed in the national instant criminal background check system.
Click here for a good summary of what the Brady Act requires now.
Click here for the text of the Speier bill.
The Speier bill is currently in the House Judiciary Committee. Click here for contact information for the chair of that committee and for Representative Mimi Walters (CA district 45, including Irvine) who serves on that committee. Please send faxes, letters, and email to these folk to help speed this bill on its way!
Check out these other organizations working to reduce gun violence:
The Brady Campaign (national)
The Brady Campaign (Orange County) This is an excellent website with many very useful references. Email contact is OrangeCountyBradyChapter@gmail.com
The Brady Campaign (Orange County) This is an excellent website with many very useful references. Email contact is OrangeCountyBradyChapter@gmail.com
local MoveOn -- contact Kate Nikolenko, Sofztk8@aol.com
Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence (this is an exceptionally good source of information on laws)
Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence (this is an exceptionally good source of information on laws)
More things you can do:
- Support the other groups working for gun violence reduction -- contribute, publicize them, sign all their petitions (the more the better, it doesn't take long!)
- Know your state Senate and Assembly representatives, as well as your Congressmember. To learn your State assembly, Senate, and U.S. congressional district numbers, click here and enter your street number, street name, and zip code. Click on the resulting list of your district's offices to learn your representatives. For their contact information, click here.
- Track proposed state gun law legislation in California, write to their authors to encourage them, and tell your State representatives to support the proposed laws. Here are tips on how to efficiently write multiple letters to a congressional committee.
- Track and support national gun law legislation.
From Mary Leigh Blek of the OC Brady campaign -- great document with California gun violence statistics 1992-2010
