In vetoing gun-control bill, Brown misses the mark

[Robb]

The governor's decision to reject SB 755 ignores research that links alcohol offenses to a greater risk of future gun violence

(snip)

Studies show that a gun owner with one misdemeanor conviction — such as a DUI — is five times more likely to commit a violent crime with a firearm than a gunner with no prior arrest record, according to Garen Wintemute, director of the UC Davis Violence Prevention Research Program.

But Brown vetoed a bill last week that would have added repeated alcohol and drug offenses as reasons for denying gun ownership. Two DUIs or other misdemeanor substance abuse convictions within three years and you couldn't possess a firearm for 10 years.

Not even the gun lobby aggressively opposed that legislation, SB 755 by Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis).

(snip)

"I was just stunned," Wintemute says. "He was just wrong on the facts. There is persuasive evidence out there. There are dozens of studies associating acute alcohol intoxication and a history of DUIs with the risk of committing future gun violence. That's established beyond doubt."

Read More: http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-cap-brown-guns-20131017,0,2117708.column

[CTyankee]

1. who was Brown trying to protect?

[sir pball]

2. Maybe it was overly broad?

I'm fine with denying chronic drunks, but the "substance abuse convictions" sound like they'd include pot...and I ain't never heard of a stoner going on a killing spree. Perhaps a more specifically crafted law targeting substances that are indicative of violence (e.g. alcohol, meth, cocaine, &c)?