Bill Text: CA AB714 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Composite knuckles.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-08-06 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 121, Statutes of 2009. [AB714 Detail]

Download: California-2009-AB714-Chaptered.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 714	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	CHAPTER  121
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  AUGUST 6, 2009
	APPROVED BY GOVERNOR  AUGUST 5, 2009
	PASSED THE SENATE  JUNE 29, 2009
	PASSED THE ASSEMBLY  MAY 11, 2009
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 27, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Feuer

                        FEBRUARY 26, 2009

   An act to amend Section 12020.1 of the Penal Code, relating to
composite knuckles.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 714, Feuer. Composite knuckles.
   Existing law provides that it is a misdemeanor for any person to
commercially manufacture or cause to be commercially manufactured, or
to knowingly import into the state for commercial sale, keep for
commercial sale, or offer or expose for commercial sale, any hard
plastic knuckles or hard wooden knuckles, as defined.
   This bill would expand the prohibition described above to include
possession of those items. The bill would also revise the elements of
the offense by replacing the term "plastic knuckles" with "composite
knuckles," as defined.
   By expanding the scope of an existing crime, this bill would
impose a state-mandated local program.
   The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local
agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this
act for a specified reason.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 12020.1 of the Penal Code is amended to read:
   12020.1.  Any person in this state who possesses, commercially
manufactures or causes to be commercially manufactured, or who
knowingly imports into the state for commercial sale, keeps for
commercial sale, or offers or exposes for commercial sale, any
composite knuckles or hard wooden knuckles is guilty of a
misdemeanor. As used in this section, "composite knuckles" means any
device or instrument made wholly or partially of composite materials,
other than a medically prescribed prosthetic, that is not a metal
knuckle as defined in paragraph (7) of subdivision (c) of Section
12020, that is worn for purposes of offense or defense in or on the
hand, and that either protects the wearer's hand while striking a
blow or increases the force of impact from the blow or injury to the
individual receiving the blow. As used in this section, "hard wooden
knuckles" means any device or instrument made wholly or partially of
wood or paper products that is not a metal knuckle as defined in
paragraph (7) of subdivision (c) of Section 12020, that is worn for
purposes of offense or defense in or on the hand, and that either
protects the wearer's hand while striking a blow, or increases the
force of impact from the blow or injury to the individual receiving
the blow. The composite materials, wood, or paper products contained
in the device may help support the hand or fist, provide a shield to
protect it, or consist of projections or studs that would contact the
individual receiving a blow.
  SEC. 2.  No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of the
Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within the
meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
Constitution.