‘Open Carry’ ban falls short in a surprise

By Michael Gardner, UNION-TRIBUNE
Originally published September 1, 2010 at 6:20 a.m.,
updated September 1, 2010 at 6:42 a.m.

Time ran out for legislation to ban the public display of unloaded handguns, a stunning development in the Assembly as the midnight deadline for passing most bills arrived before a vote could be taken Tuesday.

It was a confounding and confusing end to one of the most controversial gun measures of the legislative year — and one that drew harsh words from Assemblywoman Lori Saldana, D-San Diego, who carried the legislation.

Saldana had pleaded for almost an hour with Democratic leaders to bring the bill up for a vote. But with midnight fast approaching and Republicans stalling, the top Democrat managing floor action in the closing-day chaos decided to sacrifice the gun bill so that other priorities could move ahead.

The Senate had earlier approved the bill by just one vote.

Later, a frustrated and angry Saldana lashed out, calling her own party’s leaders “disorganizedâ€