1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

The proposed legislation AB-1187 raises significant concerns about increasing costs and barriers to legal firearm ownership in California. Requiring an 8-hour training course, including live-fire exercises, for obtaining a firearm safety certificate would impose a substantial financial burden on individuals seeking to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. This provision could deter law-abiding citizens from acquiring firearms due to the added expense and time commitment, without necessarily enhancing public safety. Moreover, the bill mandates personal firearm importers to obtain a safety certificate within 60 days of bringing a firearm into the state, under threat of criminal penalties. This requirement seems excessive and could unfairly criminalize individuals who may have simply been unaware of the new regulation. While promoting responsible gun ownership is a laudable goal, AB-1187 appears to go too far in erecting costly obstacles for law-abiding gun owners. I urge you to reconsider these provisions and seek a more balanced approach that respects the rights of responsible gun owners while addressing legitimate public safety concerns.