OFF THE WIRE
Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday, July 1 vetoed legislation co-authored by
an Inland assemblywoman that would have made all firearm thefts a felony
offense.
AB 1176, co-authored by Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, R-Lake
Elsinore, was intended to reverse a change made by Prop. 47, which made
theft of a gun valued at $950 or less a misdemeanor.
San Bernardino Police Chief Jarrod Burguan said the veto is
frustrating to many law enforcement officers, who dislike the impact the
proposition has had on enforcement.
"Handguns are traditionally worth about $400 or $600," Burguan said.
"We are literally catching people with stolen guns and all we can give
them is a ticket for it. It's maddening."
Because voters approved Prop. 47, AB 1176 would have had to go on the ballot for final approval.
CALIFORNIA: Governor signs stringent gun bills, vetoes others
In his veto message, Brown wrote: “While I appreciate the authors’
intent in striving to enhance public safety, I feel that this objective
is better attained by having the measure appear before voters only
once.”
Melendez, who is vice chairwoman of the Assembly’s public safety committee, expressed her disdain for the veto.
“Apparently, Governor Brown believes stealing a gun isn’t a serious
threat to public safety,” she said in a news release. “I ask the
governor to tell that to the families who have had loved ones murdered
by stolen firearms.”
Contact the writer: 951-368-9547 or jhorseman@pe.com
