Supporters Vow Revival of Concealed Weapon Bill

Supporters of a bill to let more Californians legally carry concealed, loaded guns pledged Wednesday to revive the legislation next year after an Assembly committee stalled the bill this week.

Assemblyman William J. (Pete) Knight (R-Palmdale) said he will bring the bill up for another vote in January, when many GOP stalwarts believe that the Assembly will be dominated by Republicans who traditionally favor loosening of gun controls.

Tuesday night’s 4-1 vote to defeat the bill in the Assembly Public Safety Committee at least temporarily halted a movement that has gained momentum nationwide since Florida passed a similar law in 1987.

By casting such measures as anti-crime instead of pro-gun, the National Rifle Assn. and gun owners groups have persuaded 20 state legislatures to adopt the laws. In California, the state Rifle and Pistol Assn. has unveiled a new public information campaign with billboards saying: “Society is safer when criminals don’t know who’s armed.”

Knight’s bill, modeled after the Florida law, would have required county sheriffs and police chiefs to grant concealed weapon carrying permits to anyone who met qualifications set by the legislation.

To qualify, applicants would have had to show they had never been convicted of a felony, were mentally sound, at least 21 years old and had completed firearms safety training. Now, the issuance of permits is left up to the discretion of top local law enforcement officials; consequently, few permits are issued.