Democrats Seek Wilson Deal on Gun Bill

Democrats negotiated with the Wilson administration over the final shape of a new state assault weapons bill Tuesday, while an aide to the Republican governor said chances of an accord are a tossup.

The governor may be willing to sign legislation by Assemblyman Don Perata (D-Alameda) that expands restrictions on military-style assault weapons, but not without changes, said Wilson staffers, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

Shortly before heading into a meeting Tuesday with Wilson aides, Perata said he is resisting changing his bill, already a year in the making. “We have enough consensus [in the Legislature] that we could move forward. This is priced to market right now,” Perata said.

Given such battle lines, one Wilson aide, asked to describe the chances of a deal, shrugged and said: “50-50.”

Without Wilson’s blessing, Republican legislators who otherwise would vote for the bill might withhold their support, raising questions about whether the measure will clear its final vote in the Legislature.

Wilson spokesman Sean Walsh acknowledged that the governor is seeking amendments to the bill but reaffirmed Wilson’s general support for limits on assault weapons. “The governor believes in a policy that protects the rights of hunters and keeps military-style assault weapons off the streets.”

Perata’s effort gained renewed attention last month after a state Court of Appeal struck down much of California’s existing assault weapons statute. Perata’s bill would restrict more models of semiautomatic weapons than the 75 brand-name weapons covered by the landmark 1989 state law, written by former Assemblyman Mike Roos and former Sen. David Roberti.

In its latest incarnation, Perata’s bill (AB 23) would restrict military-style firearms based on generic characteristics, homing in on semiautomatic weapons that can be concealed easily and fire large numbers of bullets in rapid succession.

The legislation goes further than the 1994 federal law, which banned the manufacture of some assault weapons. The state proposal would ban the manufacture and sale of such weapons in California.

The Wilson administration favors the definition in the federal law over Perata’s, which would encompass more weapons.

The 1994 federal law restricts semiautomatic weapons if they have at least two features common to assault weapons, such as bayonet mounts, folding stocks that make them easier to conceal or special pistol grips that make them easier to hold as they are fired. Perata’s proposal would define a firearm as an assault weapon if it has only one such feature.

Additionally, Perata’s proposal would ban semiautomatic handguns that can accept detachable magazines holding more than 19 rounds, and semiautomatic rifles that hold more than 10 rounds--provisions that are similar to new legislation proposed this week by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.).

One sticking point involves the question of firepower. Under Perata’s proposal, a semiautomatic handgun would be deemed illegal if it could accept a magazine holding 19 rounds or more.

Wilson aides, siding with pro-gun lobbyists, argue that many types of semiautomatic handguns can accept such large-capacity magazines, raising the possibility that virtually any owner of a semiautomatic handgun would have to register the weapon--a point Perata disputes.

Perata won state Senate approval of the measure in mid-March and was planning to bring the bill to a vote in the Assembly, possibly this week. But he said he delayed the vote to allow more talks with Wilson’s staff.

In an interview Tuesday, Assemblyman Jim Cunneen (R-San Jose), one of the swing votes, urged Perata to continue negotiating, saying: “Don’t let the perfect become the enemy of the good. Let’s improve the status quo. I don’t think people should hole up in an ideological corner when we’re this close.”