RKBA Info for CA
RKBA Info for California
ATTORNEY GENERAL LUNGREN'S POSITIONS ON GUN CONTROL ISSUES


Gun Control Activities

Dan Lungren was "F" rated by NRA while he was in Congress. In 1988, he voted for HR 5210 which would have established a national 7-day waiting period for handgun purchases. In 1991, he actively lobbied the National Association of Attorneys General to support the Brady Bill.

NRA opposed his appointment by California Governor Deukmejian as State Treasurer. He was not confirmed.

In 1991, when the NRA suit was in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals challenging the Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act, Lungren's staff allowed HCI to share their time for oral arguments in support of the ban.

In June 1992, Lungren was a co-host for a Center to Prevent Handgun Violence fund raiser for Jim Brady.

Lungren "teamed up" with former Senator David Roberti to expand California's "Assault Weapons Control Act" (SB 263) and to restrict "high capacity magazines" (SB 1128). In a September 7, 1993 letter to Roberti concerning high capacity magazines, Lungren's Legislative Director wrote: "I hope you understand that the Attorney General remains committed to meaningful restrictions on large-capacity magazines. Our office would be pleased to support tightly-crafted legislation that will actually remove these magazines from circulation and use."

In the 1994 Attorney General race, Lungren was endorsed by Handgun Control, Inc. and rated "F" bv NRA.

In 1994, Lungren sponsored AB 635 (Allen) which put the federal 1000' "Gun Free School Zone" into state law. NRA opposed the bill.

Lungren and his staff have done nothing to help gun owners with the "right to carry" issue. On July 2, 1996 Lungren's staff testified against the NRA/CRPA sponsored "right to carry" bill (AB638/ Knight) and thus helped defeat it.

Lungren has aggressively worked to block the "right to carry" efforts oflsleton Police Chief Byrd, the recipient of the NRA Defender of Freedom award.

In January 1996, by administrative fiat, Lungren extended the waiting period for firearm purchases. He said that late submissions of paperwork by dealers was the problem. If mail delays were really the problem (which they weren't), Lungren could have sought criminal sanctions against the offending dealers instead of penalizing all firearm buyers.

In 1996 Lungren opposed the NRA sponsored "crime laboratory reporting bill" AB 635 (Bowler). Governor Wilson signed the bill.

In 1997 Lungren's office did not support either ACR 3 (Wright) the Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Resolution or SB 517 (Haynes) the shooting range protection bill. Both measures were sponsored by the NRA. SB 517 enjoyed tremendous law enforcement support and was signed by Governor Wilson.

In September 1997, after supporting the NRA for four years in a challenge to an Assault Weapons Control Act (AWCA) conviction, the Attorney General withdrew his support and reversed his position. This occurred immediately after articles critical of his AWCA policies were published in the L.A.Times.

In November 1997 the Attorney General decided that SKS Sporters were covered by the AWCA. For the previous five years his office had provided written approval for dealers to sell the "Sporter". In letters to owners, dealers and law enforcement Lungren directed that the rifles be surrendered to law enforcement. Registration is not possible and failure to comply could result in felony arrest. Lungren has no plans to ensure "due process" for the owners or provide reimbursement. This is the first time that government ordered firearm confiscation has occurred in California. The magnitude of the threat was described in a letter from Lungren's office to the California Supreme Court - "The impact of the courts' opinion cannot be over stated because of the millions of SKS rifles and after-market magazines currently in circulation. Tens of thousands of California citizens may become criminals simply by using a perfectly lawful rifle with a lawfully purchased magazine without adequate notice that such activity brings them within the proscriptions of the AWCA".

NRA full-page newspaper ad RE: Lungren's Gun Confiscation Flip-Flop


Pro-gun Positions

 During the 1995/96 session, Lungren's office worked with NRA/CRPA to pass two bills by Senator Lewis (SB 670/SB 671) which capped the background check fee for firearm purchases and reduced the waiting period. Both were signed by Governor Wilson.

Lungren has expressed opposition to attempts to ban inexpensive handguns.

Lungren has expressed support for state pre-emption (Government Code 53071). Unfortunately, he has taken no action against local ordinances which are in clear violation.

Lungren supported sportsmen efforts to pass the mountain lion ballot initiative.