BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 1456|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 1456
Author: Nielsen (R)
Amended: 5/6/14
Vote: 21
SENATE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE : 6-0, 4/29/14
AYES: Hancock, Anderson, Knight, Liu, Mitchell, Steinberg
NO VOTE RECORDED: De León
SUBJECT : Firearms: Assault weapons and .50 BMG rifles:
exemptions
SOURCE : CALFIRE Local 2881
DIGEST : This bill authorizes the California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE) to issue an assault
weapon or a .50 BMG rifle to a peace officer employed by CALFIRE
for use in performing the officer's duties, as specified.
ANALYSIS : Existing law:
1.Exempts the Department of Justice (DOJ), police departments,
sheriffs' offices, marshals' offices, the Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation, the Department of Highway
Patrol, district attorneys' offices, the Department of Fish
and Game, the Department of Parks and Recreation, or the
military or naval forces of this state or of the United
States, from the prohibition against sales to, purchase by,
importation of, or possession of assault weapons or .50 BMG
rifles. (Penal Code Section 30625)
CONTINUED
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2.Allows the peace officers employed by the agencies listed in
Penal Code Section 30625 to possess or use assault weapons for
law enforcement purposes, whether on or off duty.
This bill:
1.Authorizes CALFIRE to purchase assault weapons or .50 BMG
rifle, as specified.
2.Authorizes CALFIRE to issue law enforcement officers within
their department assault weapons or .50 BMG rifles, if CALFIRE
determines that an assault weapon is necessary for the officer
to perform his/her duties.
3.Allows CALFIRE to use assault weapons or .50 BMG rifle only
during the course and scope of their employment.
Comments
According to the author, "Currently, CAL FIRE officers are
tasked with a wide variety of responsibilities and duties,
partly due to the fact that they are sworn Peace Officers of the
State of California and may be requested to assist law
enforcement agencies outside of CDF. CDF officers receive the
same training as all state law enforcement agencies through POST
training (Peace Officer Standard Training), and since 2008, POST
determined CAL FIRE is a general law enforcement agency.
"SB 1456 would amend the Roberti-Roos Act of 1989 to add CAL
FIRE peace officers to the existing list of peace officers that
are authorized to possess certain assault weapons in the course
of their duties. Currently, CAL FIRE officers are tasked with a
series of dangerous duties including illegal land conversion,
fire investigations, criminal and civil investigations, internal
affairs investigations, assistance with fire, explosion, bomb,
fireworks, and search and rescue missions.
"CAL FIRE officers face daily public encounters where the
potential use of force options, including deadly force, exists.
However, the current long rifle available to CAL FIRE officers
is a sports version which is available to the public and lacks
the high power, combat quality necessary in various dangerous
situations. SB 1456 would allow for CAL FIRE to equip their
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officers with the equipment necessary for the safety of their
officers."
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 5/6/14)
CALFIRE Local 2881 (source)
JG:nl 5/7/14 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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