The California Senate has narrowly approved a bill that would require gun owners to lock and store their firearms safely before leaving their property.
Democratic Senator Leland Yee said his measure would reduce unintended injuries to children.
"A gun is left on a dresser, a kitchen table, and the responsible adult is not there. And somehow a child picks it up, plays with it, and does harm to him- or herself," Yee explained.
But Republican Senator Tom Berryhill said the bill is neither practical nor well thought-out.
"A homeowner who leaves a firearm on a kitchen table that owns 1,000 acres could go for a three-hour walk on his property while not violating one provision of this bill," Berryhill said. "But the average citizen who lives in a subdivision can't even walk across the street and back without being in violation."
The measure passed 21 to 17. It now moves to the Assembly
