In a disappointing turn for California gun owners, Assembly Bill 1092 – a proposed reform that would have extended the lifespan of concealed carry permits (CCWs) from two to four years – failed to pass through the Assembly Public Safety Committee. As explained by Rick Travis, Legislative Director of the California Rifle & Pistol Association (CRPA), the bill was defeated not on its merits, but by political maneuvering and abstentions. CRPA TV host Kevin Small and Travis broke down the details of the vote and what it means for the future of gun rights in California during their recent broadcast.
What the Bill Aimed to Fix
AB 1092, authored by Assemblymember Leticia Castillo, was designed with common sense in mind. According to Travis, the bill sought to ease the financial burden on law-abiding citizens by extending CCW license terms from two to four years. This would help make self-defense more accessible, especially for low-income individuals and single parents who are often priced out of the permitting process. “We have lots of single parents and people in low-income areas… being priced out of the market,” Travis said. The high cost of CCWs in California – sometimes up to $2,000 when factoring in training and fees – was a core issue the bill sought to resolve.
Broad Support from Law Enforcement
What made the bill especially promising was the wide support it received from both law enforcement and the public. Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes backed the bill, stating it would improve resource management and allow departments to handle more CCW applications. “It’s a win-win-win,” said Travis, citing improved background checks, increased safety, and reduced administrative strain. Even sheriffs with budget constraints supported the measure, hoping to make the process more equitable and efficient.
Why the Vote Still Failed
Despite all the support, the committee vote went south. According to Travis, Assemblymember Nick Schultz, the committee chair, dismissed the bill as “a solution in search of a problem.” He even suggested raising fees instead of extending license durations. That comment, Travis said, was “absolutely reprehensible” given the testimony presented – including from Solano County’s CCW expert Deputy Joe Pinder, who supported the bill. It was a slap in the face to those trying to balance personal safety and affordability.
The Silent Kill: Abstentions as Political Cover
The final committee tally included four “no” votes, two “yes” votes, and three abstentions. But as Travis explained, those abstentions weren’t just passive acts – they were strategic non-votes meant to avoid accountability. “Nobody was absent,” he emphasized. “These are abstentions… that’s essentially a no vote.” This tactic allows lawmakers to quietly oppose a bill without leaving a paper trail that could hurt them in the next election.
Who Voted Against It – And Why It Matters
The four “no” votes came from Mark Gonzalez, Matt Haney, Nick Schultz, and Dr. LaShae Sharp-Collins – all representing districts with deep income divides. According to Travis, they talk often about fighting for the underprivileged but failed to show up for them on this bill. “They completely discounted their communities,” he said. With reelection looming, CRPA intends to hold them accountable.
The Real Reason for Abstaining
Travis paid special attention to the three lawmakers who abstained: John Harabedian, Stephanie Nguyen, and James Ramos. Ramos in particular raised eyebrows, since he is running his own CCW-related bill, AB 1006, which proposes bringing back subjective standards to the permitting process. According to Travis, Ramos abstained from voting on AB 1092 not because he was undecided, but to protect his competing legislation. “He did not want our bill to go through because it would have been competitive with his bill,” said Travis. The politics behind the scenes weren’t subtle – and neither were the consequences.
Data That Proves the Case
Both Travis and Small cited federal data that shows concealed carry permit holders are among the safest segments of society. Even the CDC and FBI agree on this point – something rarely seen in modern discourse. Travis said CCW holders in California have consistently been shown to be safer, even when compared to law enforcement. “They are among the safest citizens in the country,” he emphasized, adding more weight to the argument that extending their permits would only strengthen public safety.
The Political Optics Are Wild
One of the more baffling moments in the discussion was Schultz’s suggestion to raise fees in response to administrative overload – despite hearing firsthand that high costs were pricing out low-income residents. That kind of response, Small pointed out, runs completely counter to the messaging of equity and accessibility preached by California leadership. Saying a problem doesn’t exist while proposing more financial barriers makes no logical sense.
A New Political Class Rising
Yet, despite the defeat, there’s reason for optimism. Assemblymember Leticia Castillo isn’t backing down. Within hours of the bill’s failure, she contacted CRPA and confirmed her commitment to reviving the proposal next session. According to Travis, that level of follow-through is rare in Sacramento. “That has not been the norm… for a quarter of a century,” he said. Castillo’s willingness to stay in the fight is a sign of a new generation of lawmakers who genuinely want to listen and represent the people.
Not the End – Just Round One
“We’re not done,” Travis assured viewers. AB 1092 may have stumbled in its first round, but it’s not dead. CRPA and Castillo are already working together to retool the bill and bring it back stronger in January. Travis hinted that this is just the beginning of a multi-round battle. “Maybe it takes us three rounds to get it across, but we will get it across,” he said. This isn’t just about one bill – it’s about setting a precedent for future reforms and proving that advocacy works.
The Bigger Picture: Changing the Fight
In one of the final points of the conversation, Travis explained how the approach to 2A rights is evolving. It’s no longer just about playing defense. It’s about writing strong bills, building coalitions, and refusing to accept defeat as final. With rallies planned and new bills like AB 1488 in the works, the momentum is shifting. “We will have our own zombie bills,” Travis said, referring to legislation that refuses to die no matter how many times it’s struck down.
An Important Moment
From an outside perspective, AB 1092 looked like a no-brainer. It saved money, helped law enforcement, and improved access for citizens trying to protect themselves. But politics got in the way – and not by accident. That’s why this moment is important. It exposed the tactics some lawmakers use to avoid public accountability. It revealed who’s really fighting for everyday people. And it showed that even in defeat, the Second Amendment community isn’t going anywhere.
A former park ranger and wildlife conservationist, Lisa’s passion for survival started with her deep connection to nature. Raised on a small farm in northern Wisconsin, she learned how to grow her own food, raise livestock, and live off the land. Lisa writes about homesteading, natural remedies, and survival strategies. Whether it’s canning vegetables or setting up a rainwater harvesting system, Lisa’s goal is to help others live more sustainably and prepare for the unexpected.