AB 222

Generally, current law does not prohibit the possession, sale, or transfer of an

assault weapon. This bill bans the transportation, purchase, possession, or transfer

of an assault weapon and specifically defines "assault weapon" for the purpose of the

ban. Under the bill, whoever transports, purchases, possesses, or transfers an

assault weapon is guilty of a felony and may be fined up to $10,000, sentenced to a

term of imprisonment of up to six years, or both; if the crime is committed in a school

zone, the maximum term of imprisonment is increased by five years. This ban does

not apply to the transportation, purchase, possession, or transfer of an assault

weapon that is rendered permanently inoperative, to any peace officer or armed

forces or military personnel while on official duty, to a licensed importer or

manufacturer of assault weapons, or to a firearms dealer who is authorized to sell

assault weapons.

Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,

the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a

report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to

result if the bill is enacted.