BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    



                                                                  AB 2523
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   May 3, 2000

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS 
                              Carole Migden, Chairwoman

                   AB 2523 (Thomson) - As Amended:  April 12, 2000 

          Policy Committee:                              Public  
          SafetyVote:  5-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program:  
          Yes    Reimbursable:              No

           SUMMARY  

          This bill increases the maximum misdemeanor penalty for  
          brandishing a handgun from six months to one year in the county  
          jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000, if the offense occurred in a  
          public place.
           
           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Minor nonreimbursable local incarceration costs, offset to some  
          degree by increased fines. 

           COMMENTS  

           1)Rationale  . According to the author, this bill would encourage  
            responsible gun ownership by applying stiffer penalties to  
            those who brandish a handgun in a public place. This bill  
            makes the penalty more consistent with other more  aggravated  
            forms of displaying a weapon. 

           2)Current law  specifies that exhibiting any gun, loaded or  
            unloaded, in a threatening manner, or using a gun in a fight,  
            is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in county  
            jail, with a minimum term of three months. 




           Analysis Prepared by  :    Geoff Long / APPR. / (916)319-2081