Attorney General Becerra: New Gun-Safety Laws Take Important Steps to Keep Californians Safe

Friday, October 11, 2019
Contact: (916) 210-6000, agpressoffice@doj.ca.gov

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra today issued the following statement after California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to further strengthen California’s common-sense gun-safety laws. The new laws will be critical to closing loopholes and strengthening ammunition background checks.

Attorney General Becerra is committed to strengthening and protecting California’s gun-safety measures. Attorney General Becerra sponsored both Senate Bill 376, introduced by Senator Anthony Portantino, and Assembly Bill 1669, introduced by Assemblymember Rob Bonta.

“California continues to lead when it comes to implementing common-sense measures that protect our communities from gun violence,” said Attorney General Becerra. “The signing of these bills – SB 376 and AB 1669 – strengthens existing law to deter and prevent needless gun violence. The California Department of Justice will continue to work in conjunction with the legislature to protect and promote public safety in our state.”

“It is important we create equal laws when it comes to handguns and long guns as both types of firearms can produce the same outcome,” said Senator Portantino. “SB 376 would make it so the definition of infrequent sales under the Department of Justice would include all types of firearms not just handguns and help keep all firearms out of the wrong hands.”

“AB 1669 is an important measure to close loopholes and ensure all firearms and ammunition vendors who conduct business in California are subject to the same licensing and reporting requirements without exception,” said Assemblymember Bonta. “This bill is also a critical step toward ensuring that the DROS account, which is the source of funding for firearm background checks and other critical gun safety enforcement, possesses the resources necessary for the State of California to meet its obligations to administer and enforce our nation-leading gun safety laws. I’m grateful to Attorney General Becerra for partnering with me to champion this important legislation.”

Each of these measures will strengthen existing law:

  • SB 376: Prevents individuals from selling large numbers of firearms without a license by capping the number of annual sales allowed at five transactions or 50 firearms. It also caps the number of firearms an individual can manufacture each year at 50. It will also close a loophole that allows firearms to be auctioned or raffled off without a background check.
  • AB 1669: Ensures that all vendors who participate in California gun shows are required to obtain the same licenses and receive the same treatment under the law.
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