SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California may try an innovative new way to deter illegal weapons, spurred most recently by a mass shooting near the state Capitol.
Sen. Robert Hertzberg on Tuesday will take the first step to advance 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.
