Very nice!
But, can you explain the "CA. can't buy an M&P theory" there?
I knew CA. had some very F'ED up laws there with their gun laws, but not being able to buy an M&P?
I've read that CA finally implemented their "microstamping" requirement, under which autoloading pistols must imprint a unique number on each cartridge case and/or primer that the gun fires, so that at a crime scene cops can pick up empty cases and know which gun was used in the crime. (Anybody see the logical flaws inherent in this theory? Apart from the ease of polishing out the surfaces of the chamber and firing pin tip so no marks appear on the empties.) Also, I believe that autoloaders must now contain a loaded chamber indicator that gives tactile indication of a loaded gun, AND says "loaded" as well. (I don't
think it has to say loaded in both English and Spanish, but I wouldn't bet against it.)
The Shield has the porthole that lets you see if the chamber is loaded, doesn't have a tactile loaded chamber indicator. And I don't think many, if any, manufacturers have invested in the technology to make microstamping barrels and firing pins. So for the most part, only guns that were on the CA approved list before microstamping came in can now be sold, and then only if the manufacturer pays the fee every year to keep the gun on the list.
BTW, the list is absolutely rigid. Almost ANY change to a gun requires the changed gun to be registered, and to meet any then-current requirements for registration. When Glock offered some models in Desert Tan they were considered "new" guns that would have had to meet new requirements, even the "old" colors were grandfathered and didn't. There are Glock models with the magazine release set up for right handers which are grandfathered, but which may not be sold if the mag release is set up for left handers. Even though it is perfectly legal to buy a right handed model and switch the mag release for left hand operation yourself. It's even legal to buy the approved model and send it back to Glock and have THEM switch the mag release for left handers and send it back to you. But it's NOT legal for Glock to sell one already set up for left handers without adding new "safety" features to it.
I'm sure these carefully crafted safety standards are why there is so little gun crime in CA these days. Californians should be grateful that they have such smart people looking out for them.
