Angelides Blasts Governor on Gun Safety

SACRAMENTO, CA - California State Treasurer and Democratic nominee for Governor Phil Angelides today assailed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's record on gun safety.

"California has some of the toughest gun safety laws in the nation, and the overwhelming majority of Californians want to keep it that way," said Angelides. "You can't trust Gov. Schwarzenegger on gun safety.  He says he's for gun safety and that he's on the side of law enforcement, but then vetoes legislation that would make our streets safer and help peace officers do their job."

In recent weeks, the Governor vetoed two bills advanced by gun safety advocates.

AB 2714 by Rep. Alberto Torrico (D-Newark) would have banned internet/mail order sales of ammunition unless the buyer presented an ID with proof of age to the seller. It also would have repealed the preemption law that restricts cities and counties from regulating ammunition sales.

SB 59 by Sen. Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach) would have required anyone whose handgun was lost or stolen to report it to local law enforcement.

Schwarzenegger has been endorsed by the California Rifle and Pistol Association, a 65,000 member group that is the "official state association of the National Rifle Association," according to its website.