“There is an area not fully addressed or covered by existing law,” Assemblywoman Diane Dixon said.
California State Assembly member Diane Dixon (R) introduced on Feb.13 a bill that would add enhanced sentencing “for persons who use or possess a firearm without a valid serial number or mark of identification,” also referred to as a “ghost gun” during the commission of certain criminal offenses.
Assembly Bill (AB) 758 would add an additional and consecutive term of two years to the sentence of any person who possesses a ghost gun during a felony or attempted felony, and an additional and consecutive term of three years imprisonment in the state prison if a ghost gun is used in the felony of attempted felony.
Additionally, any person with a prior conviction, or history of treatment for mental disorder “who owns, purchases, receives, or has in their custody or control” a ghost gun would be punished by an additional and consecutive one year of imprisonment.
The bill presented to the safety committee has a hearing date of March 21.
“By imposing enhancements, this is intended to become a strengthening of the existing gun laws or an additional deterrent and help crack down on the use of ghost guns so Californians can feel safer in our community. Ghost guns are a real problem.” Dixon stated in an Orange County Register report.
California has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation but continues to see mass shootings within the state.
“I am pro Second-Amendment but I believe there is an area not fully addressed or covered by existing law,” Dixon said.
