AB1810: Is it already here?

[Caribouriver]

In a recent email from CRPA, support was being sought to oppose AB1810 and for members to write to their state senators opposing it. OK. I'll do that. According to what the CRPA said, "Under current law, the information collected at the time of purchase of a rifle or shotgun (serial number, make and model) is destroyed after the background check is completed." AB1810 is supposed to create a long gun registry. I don't know for sure, but it seems we have it at Big 5 at least already. On a recent pick-up, I had to sign the DROS form and all info was again hand entered into a separate log book. I asked, "What happens to the paper DROS forms and the log books?" I was told that it remains at the local store for 5 years and then is stored at "corporate headquarters". I don't think I have it wrong and I do believe I heard correctly. If so, it begs the question, is there much difference between these private records and the same info going to the CA DOJ as proposed in AB1810?

[thayne]

Under current law the gov cannot retain records of long gun/shotgun longer than 30 days, but I think you are correct that the dealers retains the information for x number of years.

The difference is the government doesnt know what you have as opposed to they will know what you have if this passes.

[YoungGun2]

Under current law the gov cannot retain records of long gun/shotgun longer than 30 days, but I think you are correct that the dealers retains the information for x number of years.

The difference is the government doesnt know what you have as opposed to they will know what you have if this passes.

[thayne]

AB 1810, as amended, Feuer.Fi re a r m s .

Existing law generally regulates the transfer offrearms and provides for retaining specifed information regardingfrearm transfers by the Department of Justice. Existing law establishes different requirements regarding reportable information regarding handguns versusfrearms that are not handguns.
This bill would conform those provisions so that the transfers and
information reporting and retention requirements for handguns and
frearms other than handguns are the same.

Existing law, subject to exceptions, prohibits peace offcers, Department of Justice employees, and the Attorney General from retaining or compiling certain information relating to transactions regarding frearms that are not handguns, as specifed. Violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor.

This bill would provide that those provisions become inoperative on July 1, 2012, and thereafter would require compilation and retention of the information, as specifed.

[shark92651]

There is a huge difference between a private dealer storing your federal paperwork for 20 years versus your information going into a government database where it can be searched at any time. The dealer is required to store the paperwork in case law enforcement needs to do a trace on a specific firearm that has been used in a crime or for some other type of investigation. They would start at the manufacturer and ask them who they sold it to. They then go to that dealer and ask them who they sold it to, and so forth. That is not a registration database, but rather a paper trail that requires significant effort and participation among law enforcement, manufacturers, and private dealers.

That is a heck of a lot different than a gov't agency having all the information in a database so they could, for example, run a query to find everybody that owns a firearm of type "X" or of caliber "Y". See what I mean? Also, currently the make, model, caliber, or serial number are NOT sent to the state when you do a DROS so even if there were keeping the information it is a hell of a lot more anonymous than what the new law will allow them to keep and store about your long guns.

[Caribouriver]

I think what shark92651 says makes sense. So it seems there already is a "private" gun registry maintained by retailers. If a gun is stolen and used in a crime, it CAN eventually be traced to the last "registered" owner as described by shark. I see the difference now between "private" and "government" registration. If the government has it, your gun ownership information will pop up on the screen every time your name is run from a traffic violation to jay walking. That's the way it is in Canada. Canada has roughly the population of California and their long gun registry is on the ropes for doing little and costing over a billion dollars (it was supposed to be self sustaining after a $50 million initial set-up cost). It would be nice to learn from someone else's mistakes for a change. Write to your senators Calgunners and defeat AB1810. Just go on the CRPA site and get directions. You'll be glad you did.