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SACRAMENTO, — Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation Sunday providing about a dozen rights enjoyed by heterosexual married couples to more than 16,000 registered gay, lesbian and senior domestic partners in California. 

Davis also signed twin handgun bills late Sunday that would require gun buyers to pass a written test and demonstrate to a safety instructor that they know how to operate the weapon. 

The domestic partners bill lets those who register with the California Secretary of State’s Office make medical decisions for their incapacitated partners, sue for wrongful death, adopt a partner’s child and will property to a partner. 

“This bill marks a stellar advance for lesbians and gays in California,” said its author, Assemblywoman Carole Migden, D-San Francisco. 

Davis said, “This bill is about responsibility, respect, and most of all about family — and it’s about time.” 

Supporters call Davis’ decision the biggest expansion of domestic partner rights in the country, putting the state alongside Vermont and Hawaii for acceptance of same-sex couples. 

Opponents label it an assault on traditional marriage and family values. In March 2000, more than 60 percent of California voters said that marriage should be between a man and a woman. 

“In one fell swoop, Gray Davis has cheapened every marriage in the state, undermined the vote of the people, pandered to the special interests, frivolously spent taxpayer money and broken his written promise to the citizens of California,” said Randy Thomasson, director of the Campaign for California Families. 

The group rallied in six California cities last week, asking Davis to veto the bill. 

The bill, which goes into effect, Jan. 1, also allows an individual to relocate with a domestic partner without losing unemployment benefits, use sick leave to care for a family member and administer a partner’s estate. 

Davis spent Sunday considering more than 200 bills and was expected to work until the early hours of Monday morning. 

Late Sunday, he signed identical Senate and Assembly bills that require handgun buyers to provide a thumb print, proof of residency, identification and a handgun safety certificate. 

The gun bills’ requirements take effect Jan. 1, 2003. 

Davis also signed a measure to limit the sale of “junk food” in elementary schools. 

The measure by Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Whittier, restricts sales of soda at middle schools to after lunch and increases the money schools are paid for lunches for poor children. 

Davis deleted $5.5 million in the bill for grants to local school districts to implement and monitor new nutrition standards. He said the use of federal funds should be explored. 

Davis has vetoed several bills that involved new spending, citing the state’s growing budget crunch. 

He also signed 13 crime bills Sunday while racing toward a midnight bill-signing deadline, including one to fine adults who leave young children alone in cars. 

Davis also signed a bill to make registered sex offenders provide yearly fingerprints, photo and vehicle information. Another allows prosecutors to weigh old drunken driving arrests when trying people arrested again on the same charge. 

Current law allows prosecutors to overlook drunken driving arrests more than 10 years old. 

The governor also signed a bill cracking down on unlicensed workers who help people who can’t leave their homes. The bill, by Assemblywoman Sarah Reyes, D-Fresno, lets people receiving in-home services know if their worker has been arrested before taking the job. 

Davis spent Sunday considering more than 200 bills and was expected to work until the early hours of Monday morning. 

Legislators sent the governor 1,000 bills when they adjourned their 2001 session Sept. 15. Davis had until midnight to sign, veto or let them become law without his signature. 

Most bills take effect Jan. 1.