PROTECTING OUR RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS

By Jeff Stone

With the Legislature's release of over 25,000 felons, the right to keep and bear arms has never been more important.

I will stand against any infringement on the right to keep and bear arms for law-abiding California citizens. It does not matter what form that infringement takes + ammunition bans, bans on areas to shoot and hunt, bans on lead ammunition, the hindrance of gun manufacturers or retailers to do business in California, or bans on commonly owned firearms. Individual rights are the foundation of our Republic and the right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental, unchallengeable part of our rights as citizens.

I support concealed carry weapon permits (CCW) for law-abiding gun owners.

As a member of the Board of Supervisors for Riverside County, I authored and passed a resolution supporting the reason of "personal defense" be accepted to fulfill the State's requirement of "good cause" as a reason to issue a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Like 36 other states, California should be a "shall issue" concealed carry state. Responsible, law-abiding gun owners in California should be applauded for taking the steps necessary to carry their firearms legally and not hamstrung by red tape.

I support the repeal of AB962 (the ammunition registration bill) that was signed into law in 2009. AB962 treats law-abiding citizens like criminals by requiring those legally purchasing ammunition to be finger printed and registered. This process is burdensome to gun shop owners because they are required to maintain these records for five years. This law is ineffective, insulting, onerous, and just plain wrong.

I support the reversal of the California "Assault Weapon" Ban. Not only is this ban unconstitutional (violating the Second Amendment), but it is based on a falsehood. "Each firearm has such a high rate of fire and capacity for firepower..." However, no firearms listed or defined in this law have a greater rate of fire than "semi-automatic" + meaning one pull of the trigger results in one shot.

I support the protection of California gun ranges and gun shops. They are a vital industry in this state. Responsible gun owners are entitled to safe places to practice and purchase equipment. These businesses must be protected from those who would restrict them, and their commerce + violating our freedoms and our economic prosperity.