CA Sheriffs’ Association Blasts Gun Control Initiative

FRESNO, Calif. (KMJ) — Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom is pushing an initiative for the November ballot, which would require that most people pass background checks to purchase ammo, with sales being made through licensed vendors, and reported to the justice department.

California has a ban on assault weapons, but Newsom’s measure, if approved, would prohibit high-capacity magazines, which are grand fathered.

Owners would have to surrender them to law enforcement for destruction, or sell them to licensed dealer for an out-of-state transfer.

However, the initiative is drawing significant opposition.

The California State Sheriffs’ Association has written a letter to Newsom’s campaign, arguing that the proposal would “effectively, create a new class of criminals out of those that already comply with commonsense practices that now exist.”

The association believes that “the focus of efforts to reduce gun violence,” “should be on those responsible,” and “not those that have no intent to do harm.”

Newsom’s campaign needs to gather 366,000 valid signatures.