Michael Satterfield
by Michael Satterfield
California is pushing further restrictions on gun ownership, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing 15 bills into law, many of them effective on January 1st, 2020. The new laws aim to keep guns out of the hands of violent offenders, restrict the sale of gun parts, and limit gun shows within the state. While most of these new laws are targeting what has been dubbed by politicians as “Assult Weapons” many of these laws do affect sporting firearms used in many popular non-semiautomatic weapons.
Here is a breakdown of the new laws signed by Governor Newsom:
SB-61
This new law extends California’s 10-day waiting period to 30-days when purchasing a semiautomatic centerfire rifle and prohibits the sale of a semiautomatic centerfire rifle to any person under 21 years of age. It also limits buyers to purchasing one semiautomatic centerfire rifle in any 30-day period.
Effective: 01/01/2020
AB-12
Making it easier to get a gun violence restraining order against a person who is feared to be a danger to themselves or others. A restraining order for gun violence allows law enforcement to seize a person’s guns and can be reported by employers, co-workers, teachers, friends, or family. A person who receives a gun violence restraining order can be restricted from having their guns returned or purchasing new guns for up-to 5 years.
Effective: 09/01/2020
SB-376
Aimed at limiting the production and sales of firearms by individual gunsmiths and small manufacturers SB-376 lowers the annual number of firearms that can be produced and sold by an individual to just 50 per year or five total transactions.
Effective: 01/01/2020
AB-645
Requires new firearms sold in California to include warnings and information on suicide prevention. Firearms warning and suicide prevention information must also be conspicuously posted at licensed gun retailers.
Effective: 06/01/2020
AB-879
Starting in 2024 all firearms parts that would allow an individual to manufacture a firearm will be required to be purchased through a licensed firearms dealer. This would include unfinished receivers, a receiver tube, a molded or shaped polymer frame or receiver, a metallic casting, a metallic forging, and several other restricted “firearm precursor parts.”
Effective: 07/01/2024
AB-1669
Requires local jurisdictions to enforce the state regulations at local gun shows, and imposes a new fee of $31.19 per firearms-related transaction to cover the costs of its firearms-related regulatory and enforcement activities at gun shows and events.
Effective: 01/01/2020
AB-1297
Requires local authorities to set new fees for issuing concealed firearm licenses. Removing the current $100 cap on processing fees and allowing local agencies to charge a “fee sufficient to cover the reasonable costs of processing, issuing and enforcement of the license.” It also sets a schedule of additional fees related to obtaining a concealed firearm license, including psychological testing (not to exceed $150) and processing fees (not to exceed $10 and $25).
Effective: Immediately
AB-893
Bans the sale of firearms and ammunition at Del Mar Fairgrounds in San Diego as well as any County-owned properties and properties owned by the City of San Diego or the City of Del Mar. Ending the “Crossroads of the West Gun Show” which has been held at the fairgrounds for more than 30-years.
Effective: 01/01/2021
AB-164
Extends restrictions to any person subject to a restraining order, injunction, or protective order issued by another state to the same restrictions on buying or possessing firearms in California as they are under in the state where the order or injunction is operative.
Effective: Immediately
AB-339
Requires law enforcement agencies to develop procedures for enforcing gun voilence restraining orders.
Effective: Immediately
AB-521
Requires the University of California to develop training programs for doctors on the prevention of firearm-related injury and death.
Effective: On or before 12/31/2020
AB-1493
Creates a new form allowing subjects of gun violence restraining over to relinquishing their firearm rights and have that information entered into a statewide database restricting them from purchasing or owning a firearm.
Effective: 09/01/2020
AB-1548
Establish the California State Nonprofit Security Grant Program under the administration of the director to improve the physical security of nonprofit organizations that are at high risk of violent attacks or hate crimes due to ideology, beliefs, or mission, as specified. The bill would make the operation of the program contingent upon an appropriation in the annual Budget Act for these purposes. The bill would repeal those provisions on January 1, 2025.
Effective: Pending Budget
AB-1603
California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program to improve public health and safety by supporting effective violence reduction initiatives in communities that are disproportionately impacted by violence, particularly group-member involved homicides, shootings, and aggravated assaults. This bill would repeal this program on January 1, 2025.
Effective: Pending Budget
