Courtesy photo.
SACRAMENTO – When the California State Assembly opened its 2019-2020 legislative session on Dec. 3, Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) introduced Assembly Bill 12 in response to the Borderline Shooting. Speaker Anthony Rendon referenced the Thousand Oaks shooting in his opening remarks to the body, empowering members to work to solve the pressing issues of their communities.
The bill is the first bill introduction for Assemblymember Irwin since being re-elected last month to her third term, and follows a month of mourning, remembrance, and contemplation since the shooting on November 7th. “This tragedy demands action, and I am working with our dedicated law enforcement and mental health professionals to identify changes to state law that will protect our community and all of Californians from gun violence,” said Assemblymember Irwin.
AB 12 will address gaps in California’s already robust efforts to prevent gun violence and treat those with mental illness, with an aim to help prevent future tragedies in our communities. Assemblymember Irwin will further develop the legislation through conversations with law enforcement, mental health professionals, and those affected by the Borderline Shooting.
The bill will address issues surrounding the effective implementation of gun violence restraining orders which are a relatively new and valuable tool for law enforcement; availability of funds for local law enforcement to participate in firearm recovery efforts; mental health evaluations including new scaled options for law enforcement and mental health professionals to intervene; and wider awareness and utilization by local governments of current policies and programs.
— Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin represents California’s 44th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Camarillo, Casa Conejo, Channel Islands Beach, El Rio, Lake Sherwood, Moorpark, Oak Park, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Rosa Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Westlake Village.
Assemblymember Irwin’s website: http://asmdc.org/irwin