BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 2333
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Date of Hearing: April 25, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Felipe Fuentes, Chair
AB 2333 (Solorio) - As Amended: April 18, 2012
Policy Committee: Public Safety
Vote: 4-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: No
SUMMARY
This bill makes minor revisions to the definition and regulation
of imitation guns. Specifically, this bill:
1)Specifies, for purposes of defining weapons not allowed on the
grounds of schools, without written permission from the
school, that for prohibited devices that expel a projectile,
the projectile need not be metallic, the projectile may not
exceed 6 millimeters, and the projectile may be expelled
through the force of any gas.
2)Specifies that the definition of imitation firearm does not
include:
a) A traditional BB, paintball, or pellet-firing air gun
that expels a projectile through the force of compressed
air, compressed gas, or mechanical spring action.
b) A BB device not described above, that has a blaze orange
marking permanently affixed to the exterior surface of the
barrel, in compliance with federal law.
3)Specifies that any person who keeps a BB device under the
person's control or custody, who reasonably should know that a
minor is likely to gain access to that BB device without the
permission of the minor's parent or guardian, and the minor
obtains access to the BB device and carries that device off
the premises other than where the device is stored, is subject
to a fine of up to $250, and/or completion of a course related
to BB devices that includes safe handling and storage. For a
second offense, the fine is up to $500, and/or completion of a
course; and a third or subsequent offense, the fine is up to
AB 2333
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$1,000, and/or community service.
4)Prohibits altering any color permanently affixed to the
surface of the barrel that is required by state or federal
law.
FISCAL EFFECT
Minor nonreimbursable local law enforcement costs, offset to a
limited degree by fine revenue.
COMMENTS
Rationale . The author and proponents, including the California
Police Chiefs Association and PORAC, contend this bill updates
definitions and provides deterrence regarding storage and access
to minors.
Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081