BILL NUMBER: SB 1689	CHAPTERED  08/13/02

	CHAPTER  208
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 13, 2002
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 12, 2002
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  JULY 3, 2002
	PASSED THE SENATE  MAY 16, 2002
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 30, 2002
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 4, 2002

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Margett

                        FEBRUARY 21, 2002

   An act to add Section 12020.1 to the Penal Code, relating to
prohibited weapons.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 1689, Margett.  Criminal law:  prohibited weapons.
   Existing law prohibits the manufacture, importation, sale, giving,
lending, and possession of specified weapons and related items,
including metal knuckles.  Violation of these provisions is a crime.

   This bill would prohibit the manufacture, importation, and sale of
hard plastic knuckles.  Violation of this provision would be 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.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:


  SECTION 1.  Section 12020.1 is added to the Penal Code, to read:
   12020.1.  Any person in this state who commercially manufactures
or causes to be commercially manufactured, or who knowingly imports
into the state for commercial sale, keeps for commercial sale, or
offers or exposes for commercial sale, any hard plastic knuckles is
guilty of a misdemeanor.  As used in this section, "hard plastic
knuckles" means any device or instrument made wholly or partially of
plastic that is not a metal knuckle as defined in paragraph (7) of
subdivision (c) of Section 12020, that is worn for purposes of
offense or defense in or on the hand, and that either protects the
wearer's hand while striking a blow or increases the force of impact
from the blow or injury to the individual receiving the blow.  The
plastic contained in the device may help support the hand or fist,
provide a shield to protect it, or consist of projections or studs
that would contact the individual receiving a blow.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.