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Editor's note: As this issue is published, we're delighted to learn that on Monday a new bill for the California legislature which does exactly what we've asked in yesterday's editorial will be introduced, as described in the following press release:

OAKLAND, CA – To curb gun violence, mass shootings and the stockpiling of ammunition, State Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) and supporters will unveil legislation, AB 48, to establish oversight of California’s ammunition marketplace.

“When will deadly ammunition be viewed as a risk to public safety?” Skinner said. “If common cold medicines, alcohol and tobacco are regulated for their risk to public health and safety, why isn’t ammunition? Assembly Bill 48 will place boundaries on the bullets that have ravaged our communities.”

Assemblymember Skinner and supporters will announce legislation, AB 48, to regulate and tighten ammunition sales in California and ban high-capacity magazines. 

This bill will: 

• Regulate all ammunition sales,
• Require ammunition purchasers to show identification,
• Require ammunition sellers to be licensed dealers,
• Require ammunition sellers to report sales to the Department of Justice,
• Ban kits to convert ammunition clips into high-capacity magazines.

Assemblymember Nancy Skinner 

Assemblymember Rob Bonta 

Oakland Mayor Jean Quan 

Oakland City Councilmember At-Large Rebecca Kaplan 

Oakland City Councilmember Dan Kalb 

Oakland City Councilmember Lynette Gibson-McElhaney 

Oakland City Councilmember Larry Reid 

Oakland City Councilmember Libby Schaff 

Emeryville Chief of Police Ken James, additional law enforcement representatives 

Pastor Zachary E. Carey, True Vine Ministries 

Representatives from: 

Youth ALIVE! 

Oakland Department of Human Services 

Measure Y 

Oakland Education Association 

Albany School District Board of Education 

West Contra Costa Unified School District Board of Education 

United Teachers of Richmond 

WHEN:  

Monday, Jan. 7, 2013 

9:30 a.m. 

Elihu M. Harris State Building 

1515 Clay St., Oakland 

WHAT: 

Attendees will observe a moment of silence for victims of the Newtown, Conn. tragedy. Attendees will hold signs stating “Stop Gun Violence: Regulate Ammunition.” 

Last year, Skinner authored Assembly Bill 2512, which would have required large ammunition purchases to be reported to local law enforcement. Her bill also sought to close a loophole in the assault weapons law allowing individuals to have high-capacity magazines, like those found on the alleged shooter in Newtown, Connecticut. 

Elected in 2008, Assemblymember Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) represents the 15th Assembly District, which includes the cities and communities of Hercules, Pinole, El Sobrante, San Pablo, Richmond, El Cerrito, Kensington, Albany, Berkeley, Emeryville, Piedmont and parts of Oakland. Skinner serves as Chair of the Assembly Rules Committee.