Calif. Assembly OKs Money For Gun-Seizure Program

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Legislation that would expand the state Department of Justice's ability to go after felons, the mentally unstable and others prohibited from owning firearms is one step from the governor's desk.

SB140 by Democratic state Sen. Mark Leno of San Francisco passed the Assembly 57-10 on Thursday.

The bill authorizes $24 million for the Armed and Prohibited Persons program so the department can create six teams to seize weapons.

The program checks databases to identify people who bought guns legally but are no longer permitted to own them because of a felony conviction, a violent misdemeanor, a determination that they are mentally unstable or a domestic violence restraining order.

It is the only such program in the nation.

Supporters say 20,000 people in California have been identified as possessing weapons illegally.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.