California Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill outlawing the open carrying of unloaded handguns, reports the San Francisco Chronicle. The measure was backed by law enforcement officials throughout the state who said the practice created a public safety issue. The ban does not apply to law enforcement, people authorized to carry loaded weapons in public, or to people selling unloaded weapons at gun shows, among other exemptions.
Violations of the law will carry a fine of up to $1,000 and up to six months in county jail. Brown also signed a bill that will require that the information from purchasers of long guns, such as rifles and shotguns, be retained by the state Department of Justice in the same way information about handgun purchasers is retained. Currently, the information of people who buy long guns is destroyed.