New Calif. law

[retired]

On another thread (don't recall which one) I said there was a bill pending that might keep 1911 models out because of new requirements. I was wrong, the 2005 law is here and the sections applying to chamber indicator and mag. disconnect will be effective in 2006 and 2007 respectively. I realize this doesn't just apply to 1911 models. The below refers to pistols not allowed to be sold in the state. I thank orc4hire for the below info.

) Commencing January 1, 2006, for a center-fire semiautomatic pistol that is not already listed on the roster pursuant to Section 12131, it does not have either a chamber load indicator, or a magazine disconnect mechanism.
(5) Commencing January 1, 2007, for all center-fire semiautomatic pistols that are not already listed on the roster pursuant to Section 12131, it does not have both a chamber load indicator and if it has a detachable magazine, a magazine disconnect mechanism.
(6) Commencing January 1, 2006, for all rimfire semiautomatic pistols that are not already listed on the roster pursuant to Section 12131, it does not have a magazine disconnect mechanism, if it has a detachable magazine.
(c) As used in this section, a "chamber load indicator" means a device that plainly indicates that a cartridge is in the firing chamber. A device satisfies this definition if it is readily visible, has incorporated or adjacent explanatory text or graphics, or both, and is designed and intended to indicate to a reasonably foreseeable adult user of the pistol, without requiring the user to refer to a user's manual or any other resource other than the pistol itself, whether a cartridge is in the firing chamber.
(d) As used in this section, a "magazine disconnect mechanism" means a mechanism that prevents a semiautomatic pistol that has a detachable magazine from operating to strike the primer of ammunition in the firing chamber when a detachable magazine is not inserted in the semiautomatic pistol.


Guess if I'm going to get a 1911 model, I better do it this year unless there are 1911s that already have these features that I'm not aware of.

[dolanp]

Like a frog in boiling water...

[orc4hire]

I looked this up a few weeks ago, when that story about the cat knocking the gun off the kitchen counter was going around. Some people in another forum were wondering how pistols are tested for drop safety.

California's testing looks pretty reasonable... until you look down the tracks and see the oncoming train. Notice that their requirement for a loaded chamber indicator includes explanatory text or graphics _on the pistol_? I don't know of any pistol that meets that requirement, so it is entirely possible that after January of '07 it will not be possible to buy a new centerfire semi-auto in California. I may be reading it wrong, or it might be applied differently, but I wouldn't bet money on that....

[9mmPara]

Originally Posted by retired

On another thread (don't recall which one) I said there was a bill pending that might keep 1911 models out because of new requirements. I was wrong, the 2005 law is here and the sections applying to chamber indicator and mag. disconnect will be effective in 2006 and 2007 respectively. I realize this doesn't just apply to 1911 models. The below refers to pistols not allowed to be sold in the state. I thank orc4hire for the below info.

) Commencing January 1, 2006, for a center-fire semiautomatic pistol that is not already listed on the roster pursuant to Section 12131, it does not have either a chamber load indicator, or a magazine disconnect mechanism.
(5) Commencing January 1, 2007, for all center-fire semiautomatic pistols that are not already listed on the roster pursuant to Section 12131, it does not have both a chamber load indicator and if it has a detachable magazine, a magazine disconnect mechanism.
(6) Commencing January 1, 2006, for all rimfire semiautomatic pistols that are not already listed on the roster pursuant to Section 12131, it does not have a magazine disconnect mechanism, if it has a detachable magazine.
(c) As used in this section, a "chamber load indicator" means a device that plainly indicates that a cartridge is in the firing chamber. A device satisfies this definition if it is readily visible, has incorporated or adjacent explanatory text or graphics, or both, and is designed and intended to indicate to a reasonably foreseeable adult user of the pistol, without requiring the user to refer to a user's manual or any other resource other than the pistol itself, whether a cartridge is in the firing chamber.
(d) As used in this section, a "magazine disconnect mechanism" means a mechanism that prevents a semiautomatic pistol that has a detachable magazine from operating to strike the primer of ammunition in the firing chamber when a detachable magazine is not inserted in the semiautomatic pistol.


Guess if I'm going to get a 1911 model, I better do it this year unless there are 1911s that already have these features that I'm not aware of.

Read carefully.

for a center-fire semiautomatic pistol that is not already listed on the roster

In other words, if the gun is already on the roster, and is continuously renewed, it is exempted from the requirment. So many guns that we already have will be exempted.

On subject of loaded chamber indicator, a manufacturer mearly has to paint the extractor and get away with it.

For the magazine disconnect issue, as long as firearm manufacturers manage to keep renewing the model, they won't have to worry about. However, introducing a new model would be a hassle since they now need to have that disconnect.

[orc4hire]

Ah, you're right. Looks like anything already approved gets grandfathered. At least for now. Forget about anything new, though.

[Meta4]

Originally Posted by orc4hire

Notice that their requirement for a loaded chamber indicator includes explanatory text or graphics _on the pistol_?

I wonder if a manufacturer could just slap a sticker with a brief notice about the loaded chamber indicator and call it good?

Honestly, I don't see what good a loaded chamber indicator does. If anything, it would promote horseplay amongst a `non-gun person' because "Hey, it isn't loaded."

-James

[dolanp]

Originally Posted by Meta4

Honestly, I don't see what good a loaded chamber indicator does. If anything, it would promote horseplay amongst a `non-gun person' because "Hey, it isn't loaded."

I agree entirely. While loaded chamber indicators are useful, they don't make a gun inherently more 'safe' and in fact could encourage improper handling due to assumptions.

[therooster]

Originally Posted by dolanp

I agree entirely. While loaded chamber indicators are useful, they don't make a gun inherently more 'safe' and in fact could encourage improper handling due to assumptions.

+1

ALWAYS do a press check..... never trust an indicator.

[orc4hire]

Guys, it doesn't matter if these requirements REALLY make the gun safer. That's not the point. The point is to make fewer guns available, and to make the ones that are available more expensive.

Remember, there's no such thing as 'gun control' anymore. The new phrase is 'reasonable gun safety legislation.' But the people deciding what's 'reasonable' don't want you to have any guns....

[troymez]

The new Ruger P345 and all (I believe) new .22 variants have a loaded chamber indicator that pops up unobtrusively when the chamber has a case in it. It is painted red and has the word LOADED stamped in it. Notice I said a case, as all this indicator tells you is that there is something in the chamber, not if the case is loaded and live or not. It really is not a huge thing and would be easy to add to new models. It is just a shame that we should have to. It proves what anti-gunners don't know or take the time to learn....all guns are always loaded!