We cannot even begin to estimate the number of unregistered concealable firearms acquired by California residents each year through mail-order and out-of-State purchases. California's problems as the most populous State are somewhat unique. They undoubtedly will become more common throughout the Nation in the next 20 years. Yet, obviously, Alaska does not have the same problems that now beset my State. This bill would allow us to deal with our problems without impressing the same standard on smaller, less populous States. It is from this vantage point that I urge this legislation. An old sa w about California concerns the visitor from the East who returns to his home from California to say, "I've seen the future and I don't like it." I say, I've seen the future and we must deal with it. For the committee's information, the California Department of Justice-which I head-is responsible for registration of all concealable firearms sold by registered dealers in California. We are also responsible for issuance of licenses for the manufacture, possession. sale, or distribution of machineguns and tear gas devices. I am therefore well acquainted with the firearms situation in California. I wish also to stress that as a hunter and even as a former member of the National Rifle Association, I do not see that this legislation in any way will hamper the legitimate sportsman. Good quality rifles, shotguns, and pistols still will be readily available to the honest citizen, the real hunter. In fact, S. 1592 will go far to rid our Nation of the cheap foreign surplus weapons which peril both their users and fellow shooters. I stress that this law will not peril the legitimate gun fancier because I do not think we can ignore today the atmosphere surrounding gun legislation. Since the death of President Kennedy, the national feeling against the wanton use of firearms has grown. Public opinion polls reveal that the general public overwhelmingly supports far stronger firearms regulations than any that have been proposed by any legislative body. We must recognize that this strong and unorganized attitude favor ing firearms legislation is countered by an equally strong and much better organized-though numerically much smaller--viewpoint that any firearms legislation is an encroachment on the second amendment and a threat to the asserted right of all Americans to possess weapons without legislative restriction. You gentlemen, I am sure, are well aware of these pressures. Senator Kennedy has already testified to them. I only mention them because I wish to point out that against this background of strong feelings, events occur daily which cry out for stricter firearms regulation. I believe we cannot deny the violence of the age in which we live. About 50 percent of the 600 murders recorded annually in California are committed with guns. Opponents of S. 1592 would point to the St. Valentine's Day massacre or even the gunfight at the OK Corral as previous examples of similar violence. This is 1965. We are living in a complex urbanized society-a society that has changed vastly just during the past 20 years. California perhaps knows this society best-this does not necessarily mean that it knows how to deal with it-we are now developing an urban complex foreshadowing that yet to be experienced by any State or region of the country. I am not referring to the eastern urban centers that you are familiar with here-millions of people jammed into a few square miles. I am referring to California's urban complex-megalopolis, if you wishmillions of people spread out in single-family dwellings over hundreds of square miles. No open space. No "country" in the traditional sense, just mile upon mile of houses. In such an unfathomed urban society which requires new approaches and new laws in every field, the wanton misuse and abuse of firearms presents unique problems-problems that our Nation as a whole will face in 10 years. We cannot accept violence indefinitely as a product of this society. This committee has criticized some gun advertising for its obvious incitement of impressionable youngsters. I have here with me a gun catalog, a 64-page mail-order advertisement for a Derringer pistol which features violence and physical combat and throws in a dash of sex for good measure. Let me quote you a sample: Remember that no matter how tough or big your opponent is, if you learn how to use the Hy Hunter Frontier Derringer properly you will always be the victor. (The document referred to was marked "Exhibit No. 13" and the sections referred to are as follows:) Average Man & Woman ! IT IS YOUR UNALIENABLE RIGHT TO POSSESS ARMS!! PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS. PROTECT YOUR SELFS. REMEMBER THAT NO MATTER HOW TOUGH OR BIG YOUR OPPONENT 18, IF YOU LEARN HOW TO USE THE HY HUNTER FRONTIER DER INCER PROPERLY YOU WILL ALWAYS BE THE VICTOR. ONLY IN A CASE OF EXTREME EMERGENCY WILL YOU HAVE TO PUT A BULLET INTO YOUR OPPONENTS BODY. IF YOU WILL LEARN TO USE YOUR FRONTIER DERRINGER PROPERLY YOU IF YOU WILL PRACTICE JUST A FEW HOURS, YOU WILL BECOME AN EXPERT" WITH YOUR HY HUNTER'S FRONTIER DERRINGER. YOUR FRIENDS WILL NOT BELIEVE YOU COULD BECOME SO SKILLED IN SELF DEFENSE IN SO SHORT A TIME STUDY AND USE THIS MANUAL CAREFULLY. Sincerely, IT MAY SAVE YOUR LIFE. HY HUNTER has a WORD for TRONTIER All Law Enforcement Men! IN TALKING AND WORKING WITH VARIOUS POLICE AGENCIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, IT BECAME APPARENT THAT ERE WAS A GREAT NEED FOR A PERSONAL WEAPON WHICH WOULD OFFER MORE THAN AMPLE PROTECTION TO LAMMEN. WITH THE LEAST POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO ONESELF OR ONES OPPONENT. FROM MY OWN EXPERIENCE IN TALKING WITH VARIOUS LAMMEN, I LEARNED THAT IT WAS NOT UNCOMMON FOR OFFICERS TO HAVE THEIR SAPS, BILLIES, NIGHT-STICKS OR OTHER WEAPONS TAKEN FROM THEM, THIS ESPECIALLY WHEN DEALING WITH TWO OR MORE PERSONS. |