Donnelly Asks for a Veto to a Ban on Long Guns

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly has sent another letter to Governor Jerry Brown, this time asking him to veto AB 1527, a bill that would ban the open carrying of all long guns - rifles and shotguns, according to the assembly.

The bill was sponsored by Anthony Portantino (D-La Cañada-Flintridge) and is reportedly the sequel to Portantino's AB 144, which outlawed "open carry" of unloaded pistols at the beginning of the year, according to the Sacramento Bee.

Assemblyman Donnelly, who currently represents Monrovia in the 59th District, was one of 31 NO votes on AB 1527, joining a bi-partisan opposition.

Below is the letter sent by Donnelly:

Dear Governor Brown,

I am once again writing in order to bring your attention to another bill that infringes on the constitutionally guaranteed rights of all Americans and all Californians, AB 1527.

AB 1527 will ban the open carry of all long guns - rifles and shotguns.

This bill is the ultimate example of a solution in search of a problem.  Unloaded and unconcealed long guns are not an inherent risk to public safety.  AB 1527 is unnecessary and conflicts with the spirit of the Second Amendment as intended by our founders.

In a press release, the author even admitted that this bill is retaliation against the law-abiding citizens who chose to peaceably exercise their right of free speech after the passage of last year's open carry ban on handguns. Punishing these citizens who lawfully engage in public debate is gross over-legislation and an abuse of power.

Brandishing a firearm in a rude or intimidating manner is already a misdemeanor, and actually a felony if brandished to a peace officer. Those are the real crimes, not the mere act of possessing a long gun.

I urge you to stand with myself, law abiding Californians, and the spirit of our founding fathers in vetoing this misguided piece of legislation.

Godspeed,

Tim Donnelly

Assemblyman; 59th District