California lawmakers rejected a bill that would have made it illegal to carry unloaded guns in public. The Senate narrowly approved the measure Tuesday, but it failed in the Assembly.

The bill would have made it a misdemeanor to openly carry a handgun in a public place, even if it is unloaded. Current California law permits carrying a rifle or a handgun in a holster if it is not loaded.

San Diego Assemblywoman Lori Saldana sought the bill after gun-rights groups held a series of demonstrations openly carrying unloaded weapons.