California may empower citizens to sue over illegal firearms

By DON THOMPSON
Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California is advancing an innovative new way to deter illegal weapons, spurred by a mass shooting near the state Capitol. A state Senate committee on Tuesday advanced a bill allowing private citizens to sue anyone who distributes illegal assault weapons, parts that can be used to build weapons, guns without serial numbers, or .50 caliber rifles. The penalty is at least $10,000 in civil damages for each weapon, plus attorneys fees. Opponents say it’s an absurd tit-for-tat with Texas over a bill there to deter abortions. The proposal faces several more hearings before it could go to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who proposed the measure.