2014 California Governor's race: on Gun Control

Jerry Brown: Include semiautomatic pistols in unsafe handgun law

Gun control advocates argued the exemption allowed gun dealers to sell temporarily altered single-shot pistols to people who could convert them back into semiautomatic weapons that do not comply with state safety requirements. The California Association of Federal Firearms Licensees, which opposed the bill, said it will "further narrow California's already onerous and overly burdensome 'not unsafe' handgun roster and eliminate more firearms from the non-peace officer marketplace," according to a legislative analysis.

The bill passed the Legislature largely on partisan lines, with Democrats in support & Republicans opposed.

Neel Kashkari: Require background checks before all firearms sales

Jerry Brown: Ban hunting with lead bullets; but detachable magazines OK

• AB711 bans hunting with lead bullets
• SB683 will require people who buy rifles and shotguns to first pass a written firearm safety test
• AB170 requires assault weapon permits to be issued to individuals, rather than to corporations or other groups.
• AB1131 extends from 6 months to 5 years the period during which a person who threatens violence is prohibited from purchasing a firearm.

Antonio Villaraigosa: Supports Life Act: restrict ammunition, licenses, & weapons

The proposals include requirements for licenses and background checks for those buying ammunition. They also would close loopholes on the possession of assault weapons with large-capacity magazines. "We have seen too many children killed or living in the aftermath of horrific violence," Villaraigosa told a packed hearing of the Senate Public Safety Committee. "You have before you the opportunity to make our laws stronger, an opportunity to make California a leader again on the issue of gun violence," he added.

The NRA said the legislation violates their constitutional rights and punishes law-abiding gun owners.

Antonio Villaraigosa: Member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns

Villaraigosa said he supports the package presented by Obama, adding he will seek to have the city's three pension funds divest themselves of any money invested with arms or ammunition manufacturers. "I don't want to see the city make one quarter, not one dime, from the manufacturers of these weapons of war," Villaraigosa said. The mayor said he was asking for a report on the extent of the investments and what would be involved in any divestment strategy.

Antonio Villaraigosa: Ban sales of assault weapons and Saturday night specials

Antonio Villaraigosa: Ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines

VILLARAIGOSA: You know, after Newtown, the massacre of 22 children in an elementary school, we can find a middle ground here. I do believe that we need an assault weapons ban. In California, I was one of the authors of the assault weapons ban. It's important. I think we need to ban high-capacity magazines. We need universal background checks. Right now 40% of all the sales of guns and assault weapons are done privately. And you don't need a background check for that. We need to repeal the Tiahrt amendments which say that you have to throw away a background check after 24 hours and really limits the ability of the federal, state, and local governments to work together to get guns out of the hands of criminals and people that shouldn't have them, the mentally ill. We've got to do a lot more to provide mental health services, and fortify our mental health registries.