Gavin Newsom’s gun-control measure hits streets for signatures, collects cash

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed gun-control initiative is coming to a shopping center near you.

On Thursday, Newsom was cleared to begin gathering the nearly 366,000 signatures needed to place the measure on the November ballot. It would require most people to pass background checks to purchase ammunition, the sales of which would be made through licensed vendors and reported to the Justice Department.

Newsom’s bid also bans possession of large-capacity ammunition magazines and prohibits those convicted of stealing a firearm from possessing them.

Gun owners and Second Amendment organizations have pledged a fierce opposition campaign.

After a sluggish start fundraising, things appear to be picking up for the proponents. Also on Thursday, high-profile tech investor Ron Conway, who has a history of urging Silicon Valley enterprises to back gun-control efforts, reported cutting a $50,000 check to Newsom’s Safety for All campaign committee. That came a day after 11 West Partners, listed as a real estate holding company in Oakland, reported donating $100,000 to the cause.

This story was originally published December 31, 2015 at 2:35 PM.