Firearms: prohibited persons.

Existing law prohibits a person who has been convicted of a felony from possessing a firearm. Existing law makes a violation of that prohibition a felony. Existing law also prohibits a person who has been convicted of a specified misdemeanor from possessing a firearm for a period of 10 years. Existing law makes a violation of that prohibition punishable as either a misdemeanor or a felony. This bill would prohibit a person who is convicted on or after January 1, 2020, of a misdemeanor violation of carrying a concealed firearm, carrying a loaded firearm, or openly carrying an unloaded handgun, from possessing a firearm for a period of 10 years. The bill would make the violation of that prohibition punishable as a misdemeanor. By expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. 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 no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.