Another CRPA/NRA Win: Politicians’ Proposed “Assault Weapon” Regulations Rejected

On Monday, June 26, the Office of Administrative Law formally rejected DOJ’s proposed regulations for the registration of newly classified “assault weapons,” which go far and above what is necessary by creating over 40 new definitions and improperly re-classifying certain firearms as “assault weapons.” If approved, California gun owners would have been subject to burdensome and excessive requirements in order to register firearms equipped with “bullet buttons” as required under California law.

As previously reported, DOJ submitted their proposed regulations as “file and print only,” thereby claiming an exemption to the normal public review process required of any regulation from a state agency. DOJ even initially refused to release a copy of their proposed regulations to the public. And it is unsurprising why for DOJ’s proposal remained largely unchanged from their first set of proposed regulations which NRA and CRPA opposed.

By rejecting the proposed regulations, the Office of Administrative Law appears to have agreed with NRA and CRPA attorneys, who on June 19 submitted a comprehensive opposition letter highlighting how DOJ’s proposal was unnecessary, lacked appropriate legislative authority, and was otherwise vague and unenforceable.

Today’s rejection is welcome news to all California gun owners. But the battle is far from over. Thousands of gun owners are still in the dark about how to register their newly classified “assault weapons,” and the deadline to do so is fast approaching. What’s more, DOJ may still appeal the rejection to the office of the Governor.

Currently, a proposed extension of the deadline to register a firearm now classified as an “assault weapon” is pending the Governor’s signature. To stay up-to-date on the required registration of newly classified “assault weapons,” as well as the NRA and CRPA support case of Rupp v. Becerra, which challenges California’s “assault weapon” restrictions as a violation of the Second Amendment, be sure to subscribe to NRA and CRPA email alerts.