Block This Reckless Gun Bill

The state Senate will soon take up legislation, passed by the Assembly in late January, that would recklessly expand the number of Californians walking the streets with guns. Senators still undecided on this issue should look long and hard at the worrisome changes already made by concealed weapons laws in California and elsewhere.

The Assembly bill, sponsored by Assemblyman William J. “Pete” Knight (R-Palmdale), requires law enforcement officials to issue permits to carry a concealed weapon after a mere 15-day waiting period. Under current law, applicants must prove they have a compelling need to carry a concealed gun; for example, that they have been the target of death threats. The Assembly-passed bill reverses the onus on the special-need presumption, requiring law officers to prove that an applicant “is likely to use the weapon unlawfully or negligently” in order to deny a permit. This conclusion must be based on the personal knowledge of a law enforcement officer.

The Assembly bill passed by one vote, with Republicans disregarding opposition from typical allies like Atty. Gen. Dan Lungren, Los Angeles Dist. Atty. Gil Garcetti, the California Peace Officers Assn., the California District Attorneys Assn. and the California Sheriff’s Assn. These law enforcement officers and groups worry that more armed Californians will inevitably mean more gun violence.

Law enforcement is not alone in those fears. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Superior Court announced a new courthouse security policy that bars prosecutors from bringing concealed weapons to work, even with permits. (Jurors, litigants and members of the general public are already barred from bringing guns into a courthouse. Judges may carry weapons.)

Businesses in California and the other 25 states that license citizens to carry concealed weapons are also jittery. A growing number are issuing formal policies barring employees as well as customers from bringing guns onto their premises. Some businesses now post signs on their windows banning concealed weapons inside.

Workplace violence is one of the leading causes of job-related deaths.Businesses--including grocery chains, restaurants, factories, banks, video rental companies--reasonably fear that more concealed weapons could mean more bloodshed on the job, not to mention on the streets. State lawmakers would be wise to listen up.