Ring in new laws on guns, pets & vids

A NEW YEAR means new laws.

Here are just a few state laws slated to take effect Monday:

Guns and ammunition

California has a series of stricter gun control laws taking effect in 2018, among them restrictions on buying ammunition.

Starting in January, people will have to purchase ammunition through a licensed vendor. Even those ordering online will have to have it shipped to an appropriate vendor and then pick up their purchases in person.

Separate legislation bans firearms on all school property.

And those convicted of a hate crime in California lose their right to own a gun for 10 years, due to Assembly Bill 725.

Pet custody

An Illinois law going into effect in 2018 allows for a judge to decide who gets to take home the family pet in the event of divorce.

The legislation is intended for pets to be treated more like family and less like property. Under previous law, animals were divided between former couples as part of the value of their overall estate. Now couples will have to prove who will be the better owner.

Alaska in 2017 became the first state to adopt similar legislation.

New legislation in Pennsylvania allows residents to purchase “consumer” fireworks — which includes novelties like “ground and hand-held sparkling devices,” “toy caps” and “display fireworks” — without a permit. A portion of the sales tax revenue earned through the hefty 12% rate is slated to go toward emergency medical services for firefighter training.

Recording violent crimes

Scores of videos of tragedies, crimes and fights have gone viral in the Facebook Live and Snapchat era. But thanks to a new law in California, those behind the camera could be in for harsher punishments and penalties.

Starting in 2018, judges will be able to determine additional consequences for anyone who “willfully recorded a video of the commission of a violent felony.”