Democrat Portantino's "open carry" ban sails through committee, pro-gun groups plan protest (Calif.)

[jpak]

http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_17838654

A ban on openly carrying unloaded handguns in public moved out of the state Assembly's Public Safety Committee this week - with little of the drama that typically marks the contentious gun-control debate.

Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, edit sensible DEMOCRAT-Pasadena, who authored the bill, said it was necessary to close a loophole in existing law that allows people to carry unloaded, unconcealed weapons in public.

The bill is a response to a proliferation of "open carry" demonstrations over the past year, Portantino spokeswoman Wendy Gordon said.

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"Open carrying of weapons is something that belongs on a Hollywood movie set, not on Main Street or in Starbucks," Portantino said at the committee's hearing Tuesday. "You don't need a side arm in order to buy a cheeseburger."

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