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California Anti-Gun Bills Aim to Grab Sportsmen’s Gun Rights
Sportsmen calls needed as the California legislature is moving two anti-gun bills.

California to Ban Airsoft Guns by Color

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Senate Bill 798, sponsored by Sen. Kevin De Leon (D- Los Angeles), would ban the sale of all airguns, including BB and pellet guns used by many sportsmen for small game hunting and target shooting.

Under the bill, these firearms could not be sold unless the entire exterior surface of the gun was predominately colored: white; bright hues of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, pink, or purple; or is transparent. The bill would effectively ban most airguns used by sportsmen as most of these guns rightfully look like other firearms and not “toy” guns.

“Airguns, like BB guns and pellet guns, are real firearms used by sportsmen for hunting and target shooting,” said Jeremy Rine, U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance associate director of state services. “It makes no sense to ban these firearms unless they are colored to look like a child’s water gun or other toy gun that you would buy from the toy isle of a store. If passed, sportsmen would be unable to continue to purchase traditional airguns used for hunting, and law enforcement will be unable to tell the difference between what is a real firearm and what is a toy gun.”

The bill has passed the Senate and is schedule for a public hearing on June 14th before the Assembly Committee on Public Safety. The hearing will take place at 9:00 a.m. in State Capital Room 126. Sportsmen are encouraged to attend the hearing and voice their opposition to the bill.

Assembly Bill 809, introduced by Assemblyman Mike Feuer (D- Los Angeles), would apply the state’s handgun registry requirements to all firearms, including rifles and shotguns commonly used by sportsmen for hunting and recreational shooting.

Gun owners would be required to register all of their firearms and provide personal information that includes their name, address, place of birth, telephone number, and occupation. It would also require gun owners to provide a detailed description of the gun, including serial number. This bill is unnecessary and is an invasion of gun owner rights.

AB 809 has passed out of the Assembly and will head to the Senate.

Take Action! California sportsmen should plan to attend next Tuesday’s public hearing and should call their state assembly person today and ask them to oppose Senate Bill 798.

California sportsmen are also encouraged to call their state senators today and ask them to oppose Assembly Bill 809.

To find your state legislator’s contact information, visit the USSA Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/LAC.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

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Youth Hunting Efforts Underway Nationwide

U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance

Columbus, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Efforts to expand youth hunting opportunities are on the move throughout the country.

These bills, which are in-line with the Families Afield initiative, are designed to introduce more youth to hunting.

Michigan HB 4371 eliminates the minimum hunting age and creates a mentored youth hunting program for those less than age 10. This allows youth to hunt under the supervision of an experienced adult mentor prior to completing hunter education. HB 4371 recently cleared the House of Representatives and is now pending in the Senate. Similar legislation has already cleared the Senate, so further action will be needed before it is sent to the Governor.

New Jersey SB 2913 would allow the state to offer youth apprentice licenses for firearms and bow and arrow hunting. The licenses would allow youth ages 11 to 15 to try hunting under the guidance of an experienced adult mentor before having to completing hunter education. SB 2913 is currently pending in the Senate Committee on Environment and Energy.

New York SB 177 reduces the minimum age for youth to hunt deer or bear with a bow and arrow from 14 to 12. Under the bill, 12 and 13 year olds must be accompanied while hunting. SB 177 was recently signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Oklahoma HB 1338 expands the state’s apprentice hunting license to allow youth ages 8 and 9 to hunt. Currently, only youth 10 and older can use the apprentice license. HB 1338 was recently signed into law by Governor Mary Fallin.

Pennsylvania SB 502 would allow the state game commission to expand the mentored youth hunting program to include adults. Currently, only those 11 and under are able to participate.

The Families Afield initiative was established by the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, and the National Wild Turkey Federation to bring a new generation of sportsmen to the field. Along with the National Rifle Association and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, the Families Afield coalition has worked to pass measures in 32 states with more than 600,000 apprentice or mentored hunting licenses sold since the program’s inception.

About:
The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance is a national association of sportsmen and sportsmen’s organizations that protects the rights of hunters, anglers and trappers in the courts, legislatures, at the ballot, in Congress and through public education programs. Visit www.ussportsmen.org.

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