DOJ’s “Summary of Gun Laws” Is 4 Years Old – Are You Kidding?

The old adage “ignorance of law excuses no one” is never more true than right here in California, and this is especially true when it comes to guns.  That’s why GOC has constantly harped about the need to be both armed AND informed. California’s Department of Justice?  Not so much.  They are perfectly content to provide misinformation to California citizens – not worrying in the least that information on their website about gun laws is woefully out of date.  Besides – who cares if a California gun owner lands in the pokey due to old data?

“Ignorance of the law excuses no one” is a legal principle holding that a person who is unaware of a law may not escape liability for violating that law merely because one was unaware of its content.

Not sure if that’s the excuse DOJ uses, but regardless, their “Firearms Laws Summary” is 4 years old.  It sure would be nice if this outdated publication were accurate because that would mean no new laws would have been added in the past few years.  Clearly, that’s not the case, given the Legislature is controlled by leftist anti-gunners. GOC has seen first-hand the damage done; members of the Senate and Assembly have been busy as a bunch of ravenous beavers eating away at the foundation of the 2nd Amendment.

It’s not unreasonable to expect the Department of Justice to have accurate information that is easily accessible – especially with regard to something that could lead to possible felony violations. To have an official publication that ignores recent laws regarding the legality of certain so-called “assault” weapons, bullet button compliance and firearm storage is not only lazy, but it’s a dereliction of duty.  Unsuspecting and well-meaning law-abiding citizens are the ones who are more than likely to become ensnared in this net of confusion – and that’s just not right.

The obvious and most significant recent change to California’s gun laws is that of ammo registration, and although these are covered elsewhere on DOJ’s website, it is outrageous that ammunition regulations are not mentioned in the very publication that is supposed to “summarize” all firearms law.  The Department should either remove it, update it – or not prosecute anyone they snag for adhering to old laws.  To do anything else would be hypocritical.

But being hypocritical is nothing new to DOJ. On any given Monday, California’s Attorney General Xavier Becerra may decide to resist federal policies, whether on immigration, environmental stuff or marijuana use (he has filed over 60 lawsuits challenging the Trump administration).  But then Becerra will give a solid thumbs up to expensive and bureaucratic bills like AB 2061/Limon-D which authorizes DOJ to inspect firearm dealers and ammo vendors to ensure compliance with state and federal firearms laws. Becerra wants it both ways – regardless of the constitutionality thereof.  Federal law is not like the proverbial box of mixed chocolates where he can just pick and choose what he likes and dislikes.  Like we said, hypocritical.