Everytown, California Moms, Gun Violence Survivors Applaud Senate Passage of Legislation Aimed at Closing Dangerous Gap in California’s Gun Laws, Urge Assembly to Continue Progress

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America and members of the Everytown Survivor Network, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today applauded the Senate’s passage of Assembly Bill 1511. The bill now heads to the Assembly for debate and a vote.

California is one of 18 states that have closed the background check loophole and require a criminal background check on all handgun sales. However, California’s existing background check law includes a dangerous loophole, which is broader than any other state that requires criminal background checks on all gun sales. This loophole allows anyone to borrow a gun for up to 30 days without a background check.

Assembly Bill 1511 would bring California in line with the vast majority of the states with comprehensive background check laws, including neighboring states like Washington and Oregon.

STATEMENT FROM SARA SMIRIN, A VOLUNTEER WITH THE CALIFORNIA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“California Moms are proud of our leaders in the Senate for passing Assembly Bill 1511 and look forward to our Assembly members continuing progress in making this piece of legislation a reality. AB 1511 will make a safer California by closing a dangerous loophole that exists in our background check law. The loophole we have now enables dangerous people to get their hands on a gun, no background check, no questions asked – something we can all agree needs to be closed. AB 1511 is a step toward ensuring we do all we can to help prevent gun violence here in California and we urge our Assembly members to vote yes on this legislation to ensure we have an air-tight system to help keep guns out of dangerous hands.”

STATEMENT FROM RICHARD MARTINEZ, A MEMBER OF THE EVERYTOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK AND SENIOR ASSOCIATE FOR EVERYTOWN FOR GUN SAFETY, WHOSE SON CHRISTOPHER ROSS MICHAELS-MARTINEZ WAS KILLED IN THE MAY 2014 SHOOTING IN ISLA VISTA:

“There is nothing I can do to bring back my son, Christopher Ross Michaels-Martinez. But, I can help prevent others from experiencing the same tragedy and our elected leaders right here in California have the same power. Today, the California Senate stood on the side of public safety and I urge our Assembly members to do the same by voting yes on AB 1511. A ‘yes’ vote on this piece of legislation will strengthen our background check law and help keep guns out of dangerous hands. Together, California can continue to be a leader when it comes to gun violence prevention and ultimately, save lives.”