RKBA Info for CA
For Immediate Release For More Information:
January 28, 1998 (703)267-1190
GUN CONFISCATION BEGINS
Gun Law Victim Holds Press Conference
And Turns In Gun To Local Officials

Rocklin, Calif. -- Today, in the village of Rocklin, California crossed the line between a gun control state and a gun confiscation state. At a press conference in his Rocklin, California, hometown, Mr. William Doss presented his SKS Sporter rifle to local law enforcement for confiscation -- a firearm previously and expressly deemed acceptable by California Attorney General Dan Lungren.

"The gun ban movement has never had more than a passing interest in gun control," observed Mrs. Tanya K. Metaksa, executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, "Their goal has always been gun confiscation. Today, in California, the dream of the gun ban movement has been realized. Today, California is confiscating guns and threatening law-abiding citizens with prosecution."

The crisis was brought about when Attorney General Lungren initially determined that a firearm popular with shooting enthusiasts was legal under California's Roberti-Roos "Assault Weapons Control Act" -- only to reverse course later and pronounce the guns illegal. In the wake of the AG's decision, Mr. Doss is one of tens of thousands of Californians who may have become overnight felons.

In the Spring of 1995 while a resident of Florida, Mr. Doss contacted the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to inquire whether he could bring his rifle with him when he moved to California. In a letter dated April 5, 1995, DOJ wrote him that his rifle was indeed legal and could be brought with him on his move to California. After the move, Mr. Doss received a letter dated November 24, 1997, from the DOJ announcing the policy reversal. As a result, Mr. Doss, an Air Force veteran, surrendered the rifle to local authorities for confiscation following today's press conference.

"We are no longer debating gun control. We are now debating gun confiscation," continued Mrs. Metaksa. "The question is how Roberti-Roos led to today's predicament -- a nightmare faced by thousands of law-abiding Californians who were told all would be well if only they registered their guns. Whether it is Roberti- Roos of years ago, or Senate Bill 1339 by Senator Calderon, or Assembly Bill 23 by Assemblyman Perata, the goal is the same -- gun confiscation."

"Today we call on NRA members and other Californians to appeal to Governor Wilson to intervene to stop this injustice, to protect his citizens and to recapture something that is being taken from them. Their freedom."

-- the nra: people protecting freedom --

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This information is provided as a service of the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action, Fairfax, VA.

This and other information on the Second Amendment and the NRA is available at: http://WWW.NRA.Org