The California State Senate has approved SB 880 by Senator Isadore Hall, III (D-South Bay) and Senator Steve Glazer (D-Orinda), which closes the bullet button loophole in California’s assault weapons ban. The measure was approved on a vote of 24-14.

SB 880 specifically redefines an assault weapon to include military-style, semi-automatic firearms that do not have fixed ammunition magazines. It also requires such weapons to be registered with the California Department of Justice and prohibits the future sale, purchase or possession of the weapons in the state.

For years, gun owners have circumvented California’s assault weapon laws by using a small tool to quickly eject and reload ammunition magazines. Such tools are sold on the Internet and are advertised as a way to evade state law. According to Hall, passing SB 880 will close the loophole and enact one of the most progressive laws in the nation to reduce gun violence, he added.

“Passage of SB 880 reaffirms California’s commitment to prevent gun violence,” Hall said. “Bullet button-equipped semi-automatic weapons have no legitimate use for sport hunters or competitive shooters.”