See something, say something

And if you can say it with video documentation, all the better!

There have been reports of misconduct by paid signature gatherers circulating petitions to put Gavin Newsom’s “Safety For All” initiative on the ballot. While it’s perhaps perfectly acceptable for a ballot measure to have a dodgy, misleading name, it’s not permissible for signature gatherers to mislead the public as to what that measure does. The “Safety For All” initiative, as per the Lt. Governor’s website, does the following…

1. Prohibits Possession of Large-Capacity Military-Style Magazines: The Safety for All initiative outlaws possession of large-capacity magazines of 11 rounds or more and provides for their legal disposal. If passed, California would join New York, New Jersey, Hawaii and The District of Columbia in banning possession of these military-style clips.
2. Treats Ammunition Sales Like Gun Sales: The initiative requires licensing of ammunition vendors and point-of-sale background checks for ammunition purchases. Under the initiative, if a person is convicted of a felony, a violent misdemeanor, has a restraining order or has been declared dangerously mentally ill, they will no longer be able to buy ammunition in California. California would be the first state to require background checks at point of sale.
3. Ensures People Prohibited from Owning Guns Do Not Possess Them: The initiative defines a clear firearms relinquishment process for those convicted of a felony or a violent misdemeanor.
4. Requires Reporting Lost or Stolen Guns: The initiative requires firearm owners to notify law enforcement if their firearm has been lost or stolen. With the Safety for All initiative, California would join 11 other states and the City of Sacramento requiring lost and/or stolen firearm reporting.
5. Shares Data with Federal System on Prohibited People: The initiative mandates that California share data with the FBI/NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System).

It does not ban “assault weapons”. Nor does it require background checks for all gun sales. Nor does it “ban machine guns” or do anything else that might sound more sellable to gun muggle leaving Wal-Mart. It only does the five things listed above; no more, no less.

If you witness a signature gatherer making false claims about what the initiative does, you are urged to report their misconduct to Michel and Associates. To that end, this package has been prepared for witnesses to report misconduct. The package include instructions on how to best document what you saw, a form for reporting the violations, and a letter from Michel and Associates that can (optionally) be given to the signature gatherer. Reports and video evidence should be sent to reports@michellawyers.com.