Assembly committee advances bill targeting handguns that can be converted to automatic fire

Assemblymember Alex Gabriel’s AB 11 27, introduced on the Assembly Public Safety Committee agenda, would prohibit the sale of certain semiautomatic handguns whose design elements enable rapid conversion into fully automatic weapons via inexpensive, third‑party "switch" devices. Supporters — including law enforcement advocates and gun‑violence prevention groups — told the committee the measure is focused, technically precise and aimed at reducing a documented rise in conversion devices seized by police. Opponents, including representatives of the National Rifle Association and industry groups, argued federal law already bars machine‑gun conversion devices and warned the measure could face constitutional challenges.

Assemblymember Gabriel told the committee AB 11 27 is a narrowly targeted bill that "will protect communities from mass shootings and gun violence by encouraging gun manufacturers to prevent the conversion of their firearms into dangerous automatic weapons." He accepted committee amendments that the author and his staff said clarify the bill focuses on a limited set of designs described in the text.

The author and his…