California Wants to Expand 10-Year Gun Bans on Misdemeanors

California is already known for its over-the-top stringent gun control laws, but a new bill aimed at expanding the list of crimes for the automatic 10-year ban on firearm possession may just take the cake.

The proposal has its sights set on adding such crimes as selling ammunition to any person under the age of 21. It already passed the Senate in April, and the Assembly earlier this month, and now the bill is headed straight for the governor’s office.

“We know that those convicted of nonviolent firearm-related offenses are more likely than the average person to commit very serious crimes in the future,” said Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson, D-Santa Barbara. “They are five times more likely to be charged with crimes like murder, seven times more likely to be charged with other nonviolent firearm offenses, and four times more likely to be charged with new violent offenses.”

While Jackson touts the bill as a crime stopper, others, like Shasta County Sheriff Tom Bosenko, say it’s an easy way for innocent people to get in trouble.

“The addition of these misdemeanor offenses to the prohibited category that include the ‘transfer’ of firearms or ammunition could entrap family members that are giving firearms to relatives and are unaware of the requirements for firearms transfers though licensed dealers,” said Bosenko. “The addition of the ‘giving possession of ammunition to minors’ to the prohibited category could criminalize the simple act of a family member providing ammunition to other family members that are hunting or recreationally shooting.”

If the bill passes, it could cause undue strain on California’s already teeming jails and prisons, which have seen a mass exodus of early release inmates in recent months to compensate.

It also could make something as simple as exchanging ammo at the local gun range a felony.

(This article was a submission by freelance writer Brent Rogers, H/T Guns.com)