California lawmakers have advanced Assembly Bill 1127 (AB 1127), which aims to regulate the sale of semi-automatic handguns, particularly popular models like GLOCKs. The bill targets “machinegun-convertible pistols,” defined as any semi-automatic pistol with a cruciform trigger bar, effectively banning the sale of many widely owned firearms. Critics argue that the bill misplaces blame by focusing on legal gun owners and dealers rather than addressing the illegal conversion devices already prohibited under existing laws.
The legislation imposes harsh penalties on firearm dealers, including potential license revocation for multiple offenses, and expands the definition of a “machinegun” to encompass standard handguns that could theoretically be converted. This broad approach raises concerns among gun rights advocates, who fear it sets a precedent for further restrictions on firearms based on their potential misuse rather than actual criminal behavior.
Ultimately, AB 1127 is seen as part of a broader trend of anti-gun legislation that undermines Second Amendment rights under the guise of public safety. Critics argue that the bill will not effectively reduce crime but will instead harm lawful gun owners and retailers, limiting access to firearms that are legal in most other states.
