Lone Democrat to Oppose Legislation : Murray Votes ‘No’ but Gun Bill Passes

Underscoring his opposition to further gun controls, Assemblyman Willard H. Murray (D-Paramount) on Tuesday was the lone Democrat to oppose a bill to extend the 15-day waiting period for handgun purchases to all firearms, including rifles and shotguns.

In an interview on Wednesday, Murray described his action as consistent with his opposition to any new gun control legislation. “Read my lips, I’m opposed to any additional gun control. A waiting period on rifles and shotguns is additional gun control,” Murray said.

The gun measure, by Assemblyman Lloyd Connelly (D-Sacramento), was approved on a vote of 43-21 and sent to the Senate. Murray joined 20 Republicans to oppose the measure, while two Republicans joined 43 Democrats favoring the proposal.

Background Check

The Connelly bill is aimed at making it tougher for criminals and the mentally disturbed to legally buy a gun. For the past 15 years, purchasers of handguns have had to wait 15 days before they took possession of the firearm, enabling state authorities to conduct a background check to determine whether the buyer has been found mentally ill or has a felony record. Connelly’s bill would extend those restrictions to other guns, including long guns.

Murray is no stranger to controversy on the gun control issue. In March, Murray was among eight of the Assembly’s 47 Democrats to oppose a controversial bill to outlaw certain assault weapons, which was approved. His position triggered criticism from officials in the city of Compton in his district.

Murray, a freshman, was endorsed last November during his successful election campaign by the National Rifle Assn., which opposed the Connelly bill. After the campaign, the NRA asked Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Ira Reiner to investigate an endorsement letter that the NRA says was altered and mailed without its permission. James Hickey, a deputy district attorney in the special investigations division, said on Wednesday he is still reviewing the issue.

No One Lobbied Him

Murray said neither the NRA nor any other group lobbied him about the Connelly measure. “No one talked to me. Everyone knows my position and it’s been absolutely consistent,” Murray said.

Connelly acknowledged that Murray has “a very strong conviction” on the right to bear arms. Because of Murray’s opposition to the assault weapons bill, Connelly said he did not discuss the issue with him.

As an alternative to gun controls, Murray has been pressing for passage of his bill to require people convicted of possession, sale or transportation of a machine gun or semiautomatic weapon to register with law enforcement authorities. The proposal has been approved by the Assembly and is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Murray was joined in opposing the Connelly measure by two Southeast and Long Beach area Republicans, Dennis Brown of Los Alamitos and Frank Hill of Whittier. Among those supporting the measure were Democrats Dave Elder of San Pedro, Bob Epple of Norwalk and Charles Calderon of Whittier.