Today, California Governor Jerry Brown signed AB 144 into law, making open carry of any sort a misdemeanor.
Since 1967, there’s been a loophole in § 12031 that allows an unlicensed citizen to carry a handgun, as long as it’s visible and unloaded. It’s a questionable mode of carry, but at least it’s an option when others are not available. Now, Californians don’t even have that. Who’s to blame? Portantino? Brown? Nope. We are.
For over 40 years, the whole technicality was something of an open secret, but it was never front-page news. That is, until a bunch of pro-gun folks decided it was their mission to make it an issue. They wanted controversy, and they succeeded. Now, California citizens are worse off, and the Brady Campaign can chalk up a win.
Losing is still losing, no matter how righteous some thought they might have been. This didn’t have to happen.
(Adam Winkler has a new book out called Gunfight, which traces the history of gun control in America. The Mulford Act wasn’t passed in a vacuum, and the book has a good history on the circumstances and events surrounding it.)