California may empower citizens to sue over illegal firearms

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

California may empower citizens to sue over illegal firearms

By DON THOMPSON
April 5, 2022

-snip-

The most populous state will consider an innovative new approach Tuesday when Hertzberg, at the urging of Gov. Gavin Newsom, expects to take the first step to advance a bill allowing private citizens to sue anyone who distributes illegal assault weapons, parts that can be used to build weapons, guns without serial numbers, or .50 caliber rifles.

The penalty: at least $10,000 in civil damages for each weapon, plus attorneys fees.

But the bill would not bar anyone from possessing or using the weapons, though they’re illegal under other laws. And it would not include stolen weapons unless they are otherwise made illegal, for instance by filing off the serial number.

“It’s going to have hopefully a chilling effect on folks with ghost guns or assault weapons,” Hertzberg said. “You’ve got to have millions of eyeballs looking for these guns. If someone flashes one, talks about it, all of a sudden there’s an incentive among the public in a way that there’s never been before to try to pull them off the street.”

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/biden-california-sacramento-shootings-gun-politics-133d52fc6486c21b5e07109744b3da42

[ificandream]

1. I'm not sure this is necessary, but if it passes, I'll be very happy.

[yonder]

2. How interesting.

It looks like they are taking a page from the anti-abortion legislative tactic that Texas (and other states) have recently passed.

It will be fun to see how this might play out. What's good for the goose and all that.

[SWBTATTReg]

3. YES! Even though they are banned in the city, when the fourth of July rolls around, my dogs

go into terrorized mode, literally for the entire week, while some neighbors shoot them off all week. I'd love to have as many recourses as possible against them that I can have, but then again, it probably won't make a bit of difference. The best solution is to NOT sell them, period. We even still had a few fires caused by the illegal use of these fireworks and of course, injuries do happen too.

Let the professionals handle fireworks. Of course, the ones that should be reading this admonishment won't be reading DU.