The State - News from Aug. 4, 1989

Legislation that prohibits ex-felons from owning or possessing all firearms, including rifles and shotguns, has been signed by Gov. George Deukmejian. The measure by Assemblywoman Jackie Speier (D-South San Francisco) conforms state law to federal law, which prohibits people convicted of a felony from owning or possessing a firearm. California law had barred ex-felons from having concealable weapons--handguns--but did not outlaw rifles and shotguns. “It’s been a criminally absurd exclusion for years, and it’s costing us human lives,” Speier said. The new law makes it a crime that could be charged as a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the circumstances. Speier’s bill was backed by a number of law enforcement agencies including police departments, sheriff’s departments and district attorneys’ offices throughout the state.