MICHAEL M. HONDA17TH DISTRICT, CALIFORNIA

WASHINGTON OFFICE:1713 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING

WASHINGTON, DC 20515PHONE: (2021 2252631FAX: (2021 2252699

http://www.honda.house.gov

DISTRICT OFFICE:2001 GATEWAY PLACE

SUITE 670WSAN JOSE, CA 95110

PHONE: (4081 4362720(855) 680 3759

FAX: (408) 4362721

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COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONSSUBCOMMITrEES:

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CONGRESSIONAL ASIAN PACIFICAMERICAN CAUCUS, CHAIR EMERITUS

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LGBT EQUALITY CAUCUS,VICE CHAIR

The Honorable Edmund G. Brown Jr.Governor, State of CaliforniaState Capitol, Suite 1173Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Brown,

September 18, 2014

I write to urge you to sign SB 808 into law. I applaud this legislation and the effort to track theproduction and circulation of homemade firearms, which are currently manufactured,assembled, and distributed without background checks or registration of any kind.

Now, more than ever before, unregistered, untraceable firearms are easier to produce at homeby unlicensed individuals due to the increasing popularity of unfinished receivers and theemergence of additive manufacturing technologies. Firearms that are produced at home feedinto a black market that allows criminals and dangerous individuals to access weapons that oursystem of state and federal background checks and registration is designed to keep away.

The State of California has seen firsthand the impact of unregulated firearms in Stockton, CA,where just this year three people were killed, including two suspects, after a bank robbery thatinvolved the use of a homemade AK-47 assault rifle. Also, in June of last year, John Zawahriassembled his own firearm, after being denied gun purchase through traditional channels dueto mental health issues, and went on a shooting rampage that ended with the death of fivepeople in Santa Monica.

I have recently introduced the Homemade Firearms Accountability Act of 2014, which mirrorsthe provisions within SB 808, and ensures that the regulations and safeguards already in placefor firearms purchases also apply to self-assembled or home-manufactured firearms.

We ask you to sign SB 808 and take appropriate action to address the emerging gun safety andpublic safety issue of homemade firearms in California.

Sincerely,

Michael M. HondaMember of Congress

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