Firearms: large-capacity magazines.

Existing law requires the Department of Justice to maintain certain information related to firearms transactions. This bill would extend those provisions to information concerning the registration of large-capacity magazines, as specified. Existing provides that commencing January 1, 2000, and subject to exceptions, any person who manufacturers or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, or lends any large-capacity magazine is guilty of an offense. This bill would, commencing January 1, 2011, and subject to specified exceptions, prohibit the possession of large-capacity magazines. Violation of these provisions would be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would, commencing January 1, 2011, and subject to exceptions, require registration of large-capacity magazines with the Department of Justice. The bill would require registration of large-capacity magazines no later than January 1, 2011, for magazines that are already possessed, as specified, and would provide that large-capacity magazines acquired after January 1, 2011, be registered within 30 days of taking possession. The bill would establish exceptions to these provisions. The bill would require local and state entities to register their large-capacity magazines as institutionally owned, as specified, and would require those entities to report to the department the disposition of large-capacity magazines by those entities that constitute a nuisance, as specified. The bill would authorize the Department of Justice to charge a fee, not to exceed $20, for registration of large-capacity magazines, and would authorize increases in that fee, as specified. The bill would exempt local and state entities from that registration fee. By imposing additional duties on local governments in connection with the registration of large-capacity magazines and the disposition of large-capacity magazines that are a nuisance, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. Existing law authorizes the Department of Justice to issue a permit to a licensed firearms dealer for the purpose of transporting, possessing, and selling a large-capacity magazine to an out-of-state purchaser. This bill would require the registration of large-capacity magazines that are subject to those provisions, and notification to the department of the identity of the purchaser, as specified The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that with regard to certain mandates no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason. With regard to any other mandates, this bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs so mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.