STATEMENT: Giffords Applauds Governor Brown for Signing Gun Safety Legislation to Keep Firearms out of Dangerous Hands
October 2, 2018 — Today, Giffords, the gun safety organization founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and Captain Mark Kelly, applauded the California Legislature and Governor Jerry Brown for the passage and signing of new gun violence prevention legislation. California has been a longtime leader on gun safety, and the legislation signed today will bolster the strength of their laws by keeping firearms out of dangerous hands.
Giffords Law Center also noted that Governor Jerry Brown vetoed other bills that our experts worked on, including legislation to expand the categories of people who can petition for Gun Violence Restraining Orders and a study to look at the benefits of creating a “no-buy list,” where individuals could refer themselves to in order to better prevent gun suicides.
“We applaud Governor Brown and the California Legislature for realizing we can do more to keep people safe and acting to sign innovative legislation that will protect the state’s communities,” said Allison Anderman, Managing Attorney at Giffords Law Center. “After today, someone under 21 will not be able to walk into a store to buy a rifle or shotgun. With the rise in 3D printing technology, California is also among the first in the nation to ensure handguns printed with it meet safety requirements. These new laws, as well as those that help disarm domestic abusers and former juvenile offenders, improve crime gun tracing, and strengthen requirements to obtain a concealed carry permit, demonstrate that California will never cease its efforts to move society forward on gun safety.”
The more complete list of the actions taken by Governor Brown on gun safety bills can be found here. Among the highlights are:
Raising the Minimum Age: SB 1100 generally prohibits the sale of long guns to persons under the age of 21. California joins Florida and Vermont on a growing list of states that have raised the minimum age to purchase firearms.
Gun Dealer Storage for Prohibited Persons & Homemade Guns: SB 746 authorizes people who are prohibited due to an outstanding arrest warrant to transfer their firearms, magazines, and ammunition to a licensed dealer for the duration of the prohibition. The new law also clarifies that people are not authorized to self-assemble or manufacture guns that do not comply with the Unsafe Handgun Act.
Strengthening California’s GVRO Law: SB 1200 will implement various provisions to improve and clarify California’s GVRO statutes.
Strengthening CCW Permitting Requirements: AB 2103 strengthens the training standards for obtaining a CCW permit by requiring that CCW applicants’ training course include a minimum of 8 hours of instruction and a demonstration by the applicant of shooting proficiency and safe handling of each firearm the applicant will be licensed to carry, including live-fire exercises conducted on a firing range.
Juvenile Gun Safety Act: SB 1281, the Juvenile Gun Safety Act, prevents juveniles convicted of violent crimes from possessing guns until age 30.
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