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California Seeks To Adopt Nation's Toughest Gun Laws

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- Weeks after New York enacted the nation's toughest gun laws, California lawmakers want the state to do even more in response to recent mass shootings, particularly the Newtown, Conn., school massacre.

Democrats, who control the state Legislature, revealed 10 bills Thursday that they said would make California the most restrictive state for possessing firearms. They were joined at a Capitol news conference by the mayors of Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Among the bills is one that would outlaw the future sale of semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines, a restriction that would prevent an assailant from reloading quickly. Lawmakers also want to make some prohibitions apply to current gun owners, not just weapons sold in the future.

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Like New York, California also would require background checks for buying ammunition.

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