California would keep a permanent record of anyone buying a shotgun or rifle under legislation passed Thursday by the Assembly.
The measure would expand state law by adding long-gun buyers to a state Justice Department database that currently can identify only handgun purchasers.
Opponents contend the bill is the latest in a long line of bureaucratic hurdles designed to discourage gun ownership.
"It's none of government's flippin' business what guns I own, or why I own them," said Sam Paredes, executive director of Gun Owners of California.
But supporters of Assembly Bill 1810 claim it will help police officers track long guns at emergency or crime scenes, and it could help identify felons who own them illegally.
"It will make your community safer, and make officers safer," said Juliet Leftwich of Legal Community Against Violence, which co-sponsored the bill.
AB 1810 now goes to the Senate after passing the Assembly, 43-29, with no Republican support. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has taken no position.
The bill would not alter existing requirements that buyers of handguns or long guns abide by a 10-day waiting period, undergo a criminal background check and provide a fingerprint or thumbprint.
Though purchasing requirements are much the same for either type of firearm, record retention is not. Personal and sales information on handgun sales are kept in the state's database. AB 1810 would require similar retention of long-gun records, beginning in July 2012.
The bill would apply to new purchases of long guns, and to those obtained from family members or brought into California by new residents.
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