We held off publication of this story to give our California a respite from the bad news which we are sure they already have learned last 03 July and  for them to observe the 4th of July celebrations with any bad news. For those who have been following the progress of SB1315 know by now that De Leon was able to get the votes of the Assembly Committee on Public Safety for it to pass (4 Ayes and 2 Noes) and is now headed for the Assembly floor for 2nd reading and 3rd reading where it will be voted upon by the whole Assembly. This means that SB1315 is just two steps for full approval by the California State Legislature.

The California State Senate has already passed the bill and it's now up to the Assembly to approve or deny it. The bill will not pass if one house of the legislature does not approve it.

It's just a wonder why the Airsoft Safety Foundation, which was formed by the airsoft industry in California during the campaign against SB798 last year have not yet put up the status of the bill and the campaign efforts at their website. We have been relying on tweets and the No On SB798 Facebook Page (should have changed to No On SB1315). Is the campaign against SB1315 not that strong as compared to SB798?

Anyway, an interesting article of Kimberly Dvorak who has been covering 2nd Amendment issues, is something for California airsoft players to read. In her "California looks to restrict Airsoft users 2nd Amendment at risk some say" Dvorak writes:

Industry experts are particularly concerned about the possibility of lawsuits local companies and government face due to the language of the bill. Furthermore, many consumers that enjoy Airsoft products recreationally could face criminal penalties just for driving through LA County.

And she gives a potential situation that gun owners, whether airsoft, airgun, or real steel face when transiting through areas where there are strict laws on gun ownership and transportation of such. New York City, which is probably the least gun-friendly metropolis in the nation, is a nightmare for gun owners who are transiting through the city.

Thus, the fight of airsoft community in Los Angeles County against SB1315 is also a fight by the larger California airsoft community, and even the whole US of A airsoft community. The US airsoft industry is largely concentrated in California, where some of the biggest airsoft vendors are located contributing to the local and national economies. Furthermore, the implications of transporting airsoft guns through the jurisdiction of LA County would mean that they are under threat of arrest for violating the county's restrictions on airsoft guns even if they do not intend to play in the area.

A WIN FOR SB1315 MAY OPEN A PANDORA'S BOX

Just imagine if LA County get the exemption. It may provide an opening for anti-gun advocates to also push for similar legislation exempting other counties in California. Since this will set a precedent for the State which will then create pockets of counties with restrictions that it will be hard for an airsoft player to navigate through such since borders between counties are just imaginary.

Let's not forget that this will be exploited by the Paintball Industry, which so far has been very quiet this time, unlike last year when they were openly supporting SB798. They will be exempted by SB1315 through the lobbying by De Leon's friend, former Senator Fabian Nuñez who is a partner of the lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs which was hired by the Paintball Industry. A win might make them more aggressive as they can have this spread out to the whole state.

SO WHAT NOW?

Heighten the campaign against SB1315 as players from all over California need to contact their Assembly members in their respective districts not to vote for SB1315. Since this is a non-appropriation bill, it will require at least 41 votes for it to pass 2nd and 3rd reading? But would the California airsoft community allow it to pass after the third reading?

The Airsoft Safety Foundation will need to rev up their information campaign too and begin updating their website with more relevant information as to the bill's progress and providing tools for the airsoft community to use in the grassroots campaign against the bill. Last year, they had a lobbyist, and we don't know if they still retained the lobbying firm, and if they still do, then they better push their lobbyist harder to go against the bill.

SB1315 is a costly affair, as it entails resources to campaign against it, rather than devoting these resources to somewhere else such as a public education on airsoft which the Airsoft Safety Foundation vows to do but seems to have lost steam. It's usually the PR and lobbying people who win in this exercise.

As to when the 2nd and third readings by the Assembly will be, it hasn’t been set yet. But no need to wait for a date announcement, a heightened campaign effort against the bill should start now.