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JAIR: GUN VIOLENCE IN COMMUNITIES
MIKE A. GIPSON
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CHAIR
ASSEMBLYMEMBER, SIXTY-FOURTH DISTRICT
DOMESTIC VIOLENCESPONSIBILITES
FOSTER CARE
THE NON PROFIT SECT MELESSNESS
April 5, 2022
RE: Letter of Support for Council Item 22-0383 - Report on Ghost Guns and Feasibility of Ordinance Strengthening Enforcement
Good evening Council,
I applaud and fully support the City of Long Beach in its process to create a local law that would criminalize the production and possession of ghost gun parts. Despite reforms to regulate them, ghost guns continue to be a pervasive hurdle for local governments across the U.S. So much that President Joe Biden and U.S. Justice Department have proposed a rule change to redefine the term firearm under federal law, to encompass these parts and kits, such that they are regulated and require a background check and serialization.
More recently April 3, 2022, following a mass shooting just blocks away for the California State Capitol, the President has once again called on more reforms, this time for California specifically, that include a statewide ban on ghost guns. Let me be clear: This is not a new issue. After numerous attempts, I was able to propel AB879 (Gipson, 2019) into law, which entails that California law will now require a state background check for individuals seeking to purchase firearm frames and receivers, by requiring the Department of Justice to electronically approve the purchase or transfer of firearm parts through a licensed vendor. This will also require the sale of firearm frames and receivers to be conducted by a licensed firearm precursor parts vendor.
Unfortunately, as the problem has revolved and worsened, it is clear that a more aggressive framework is necessary to prevent the continued proliferation of these weapons into our communities. Therefore, I stepped up to the plate again and introduced, just this year, AB1621, which will completely ban ghost guns in every community statewide.
Support from the City of Long Beach is critical in making this ban a reality for every community in the state of California, and joining alongside other communities like San Diego, San Francisco and Oakland, which have levied city-wide bans that make it illegal for any resident to possess or buy these weapons. We need all hands on deck to eradicate this issue, which is a wildfire for all of our communities among the 64th Assembly District and those alike.
Sincerely,
Mike A. Gipson
Assemblymember, 64th District
Democratic Caucus Chair
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