Thanks to the outpouring of opposition from California gun owners and the National Rifle Association (NRA), word leaked from the State Capitol on Wednesday that the Assembly Appropriations Committee is poised to stop SB 249, a bill that would expand the number of weapons classified as an “assault weapon,” making many legally purchased guns illegal in California. Assemblyman Cook has joined with gun owners in opposing this unconstitutional piece of legislation.

Currently, many firearms classified as ‘assault weapons’ are illegal to own in California. The definition of ‘assault weapon’ is a problematic and fictitious one created by government; it refers vaguely to a firearm with an ammunition feeding device that can be removed without disassembly of the firearm. There is no manufacturing specification for ‘assault weapon.’ SB 249 would have expanded that definition to include weapons which have a detachable magazine that requires a tool to remove.

Said Cook, “If SB 249 had passed, it would have made hundreds of Californians criminals overnight just by owning weapons that fit this new description of an assault weapon. Although this bill appears to have been stopped, we need to remain vigilant against any attempts to bring back the measure during the final weeks of the legislative session. Gun owners can count on me to stand with them against any attempt by politicians to violate their second amendment rights.”

The Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Area, a destination for thousands of off roaders, may soon have a new resident, and not everyone is happy. The U.S. Marine Corps is planning a westward expansion of its Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center into the Johnson Valley. The territory in question is a popular off-road area and is home to the annual ‘King of Hammer’ race that draws people nationwide.

Johnson Valley is the largest Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) area in the country with 189,000 acres and contributes an annual $70 million to the local community. The proposed training area would take 108,500 acres with an additional 40,000 acres closed for 2 months a year. A mere 40,000 acres would be left untouched.

Many local residents are concerned the expansion could cripple the local economy which relies heavily on tourism. Residents and visitors to the Johnson Valley should make their voices heard by visitinghttp://arc.asm.ca.gov/redirect.aspx?URL=https://extranet.cardnotec.com/29Palms_FEIS/.

Public comment ends on August 27, after which the plan will be submitted to the federal government for approval.