A coalition of California law enforcement officials concerned about proliferation of semiautomatic firearms is drafting legislation to outlaw the manufacture and sale of such guns . No legislator has yet been asked to carry the measure, proponents said, although Senate President Pro Tem David A. Roberti (D-Los Angeles) has promised to author such a bill. Pitted against this effort is the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of California who oppose any controls . The NRA contends that the legislation will not deter criminals from acquiring the weapons , but will hurt law - abiding citizens . They favor harsher treatment of criminals : no plea bargaining , no parole . Proposed legislation would exempt " good guns , " those used by hunters , target shooters and collectors . The difficulty , they argue , is in distinguishing the two types since all operate on the same principle .
A coalition of California law enforcement officials concerned about proliferation of semiautomatic firearms is drafting legislation to outlaw the manufacture and sale of such guns . Pitted against this effort is the National Rifle Association and the Gun Owners of California who oppose any controls . The NRA contends that the legislation will not deter criminals from acquiring the weapons , but will hurt law - abiding citizens . They favor harsher treatment of criminals : no plea bargaining , no parole . Proposed legislation would exempt " good guns , " those used by hunters , target shooters and collectors . The difficulty , they argue , is in distinguishing the two types since all operate on the same principle .