California 2A Sanctuary/CCW Reciprocity Bill With Teeth Proposed

Is California going to liberalize concealed carry in the near future with this new bill? Nope. Ain't gonna happen. The underlying idea is more intriguing though; a sort-of Second Amendment Sanctuary law, an actual with-teeth law, in California.

California Assemblyman Jay Obernolte, a Republican from Big Bear, represents much of the territory of San Bernardino County that borders Clark County and Arizona. This very rural, desert part of California has traditionally been very conservative. In many of the rural, undeveloped areas, one can even openly carry (though most people wouldn't be out there to begin with). 

Obernolte has proposed Assembly Bill 2206 to allow cities and counties to allow non-California residents with a valid license to carry a concealed firearm (that's Californian for "CCW") to carry across the state line into the Golden State. This bill is a form of reciprocity. 

Though it stands a snowball's chance in Hell getting past the very anti-gun state legislator and Gov. Newsom--who doesn't like guns because his dad was an abuser who threatened his mom with a gun--this bill is fairly ingenious. You see, it doesn't force reciprocity on the entire state, just those places that want to allow it. California is led around by mostly San Francisco and the westside of Los Angeles that wouldn't dream of allowing guns unless they had to.

Currently, California's concealed carry scheme is entirely local. If your sheriff or police chief is cool, you can get a CCW without much trouble. This bill would allow gun-friendly cities and counties to allow non-Californians to carry on their out-of-state permits in the sanctuary city or county.

In this case, the proposal is supported by Needles, which points out it is just across the river from Arizona. In fact, Needles has more than a passing desire to switch states. An Arizonan would be allowed to legally carry concealed across the state line in Needles. This could also conceivably apply  anywhere else in the state, if the city council or the county board of supervisors okays it. 

The language in the bill would also allow Californians to carry concealed in these sanctuaries on a non-California permit. Don't believe me? Read the bill for yourself.

​THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Section 25660 is added to the Penal Code, to read:

25660.
 (a) Section 25400 does not apply to, or affect, the carrying of a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person by a person who meets both of the following conditions:
(1) The person is carrying the firearm in a jurisdiction that has made a declaration pursuant to subdivision (b).
(2) The person is carrying the firearm in compliance with a valid license to carry a concealed firearm that was issued by another state.
(b) A city council or county board of supervisors may declare that city or county to be a jurisdiction in which persons may carry a concealed firearm in compliance with a valid license to carry a concealed firearm that was issued by another state. If a county board of supervisors makes a declaration pursuant this subdivision, the declaration shall additionally require the approval of the sheriff of that county.

Needles also wants to be exempted from California's stupid new ammo purchasing laws that say out-of-state purchases, except when shipped to a dealer, be stopped. The nearest gun dealer is over 100 miles away from Needles, so most cross the river and buy ammo in Arizona or Nevada and import it illegally.

Now, again this bill stands virtually no chance in passing. Legislators will find out that it would allow Californians to carry in little pro-gun enclaves across the state on an out-of-state permit. It would be a dangerous step towards freedom. The California Legislature is so out of touch and utterly batshit insane this bill will never pass.

It's still nice to hope and good to see that some legislators across the wall haven't given up the fight.