Santee Assemblyman's Concealed Weapons Permit Bill Fails Passage

A bill authored by Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) that would have required law enforcement to issue a concealed weapons permit for personal protection failed to pass the Assembly Public Safety Committee Tuesday.

The party-line vote, with Democrats opposed and Republicans in support, came on the same day that 15 gun control bills are being heard between both houses.

AB 871 would have required law enforcement to issue a concealed weapons permit if the applicant meets the conditions of “good moral character” and states that “good cause” includes personal protection or self-defense. 

A recent national survey of over 15,000 police professionals conducted by PoliceOne.com "found that the overall attitude of law enforcement is strongly anti-gun legislation and pro-gun rights," as shown by these results:

• 91 percent support the concealed carry of firearms by civilians who have not been convicted of a felony and/or have not been deemed psychologically incapable
• 80 percent feel that legally-armed citizens would likely have reduced the number of casualties in recent mass shooting incidents

“There is indisputable evidence by the FBI that shows states with ‘right to carry’ laws have lower rates of violent crime," said Jones. "The best way to combat gun crime is through harsher punishment, not through stricter gun control.”

Rob Young, a victim of Stockton’s Cleveland School shooting in 1989, also spoke in support. 

“Gun control would not have saved me or any of my classmates that dreadful day.  Five kids were killed, 27 were injured, and an entire Nation lost the sense of security of being able to send their children to school,” Young said.  “What happened to us on that schoolyard is horrific, however, what the psychopath wanted that day, the need to hurt and kill, could and probably would have happened whether he was armed or not.”

Young added, “Do not take my right as a husband and as a father to protect my family against sick individuals who may choose to cause us harm.  Do not place unfair limits on my ability to protect me and my loved ones.”

Jones concluded, “I stand with law enforcement; front-line officers on the ground know better.  Rob Young, who has lived through gun violence, and has since dedicated his life to protecting law-abiding citizen as a police officer, knows best.”

A press release from the office of Assemblyman Brian Jones contributed to this report.

COMMENT: Would you like a concealed weapons permit? Would you feel safer knowing your neighbors were armed with a concealed weapon?