GIFFORDS celebrates major wins for gun safety in California legislative session
WASHINGTON — GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement celebrating the major gun safety victories of California’s 2026 legislative session. The legislature passed three bills championed by GIFFORDS: AB 1974 and AB 1753, introduced by Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, and AB 2378, introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel.
“California leads the nation in gun safety, in part because leaders like Assemblymember Stefani and Assemblymember Gabriel refuse to back down in the fight for safer communities. We were proud to collaborate with the entire gun violence prevention working group on these lifesaving bills, and we thank them for their commitment to building a safer future for Californians,” said GIFFORDS executive director Emma Brown. “California’s leaders continue to improve public safety protections for California families by closing loopholes, improving our existing systems and investing in community violence intervention efforts.”
This session, the California Assembly passed the following bills championed by GIFFORDS:
- California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program (AB 2378 – Gabriel): This bill will establish California’s first Office of Community Violence Intervention. The new office will be led by a director with hands-on experience in violence intervention to support organizations doing the frontline intervention work that has helped California achieve record-low rates in homicides throughout the state.
- Voluntary Firearm Storage Program (AB 1974 – Stefani): This bill will authorize law enforcement agencies to establish voluntary firearm storage programs for those experiencing a mental health crisis. These programs allow those in crisis to temporarily entrust firearms to authorities without fear of legal reprisal, a strategy proven to reduce suicide and domestic tragedy.
- The Survivor Pathways to Safety Act(AB 1753 – Stefani): This bill will dramatically improve California’s nation-leading array of protection orders that carry firearm prohibitions. The legislation will make massive technical improvements that create stronger protections for violence survivors.
- 3-Dimensional Printing Blocking Technology (AB 2047 – Bauer-Kahan): This bill will combat the ghost gun crisis by requiring 3D printers in California to include technology that blocks print jobs for firearms and illegal firearm parts.
- Military Protective Orders (SB 99 – Blakespear): This bill will allow military protective orders to be used as evidence in domestic violence protection order cases in California court, ensuring greater access to justice for military personnel and families.
- Safety Certificates (SB 948 – Arreguín): This bill will require gun purchasers to undergo training on safe gun handling, including live-fire training.
- Local Access to State Firearm Records (AB 1743 – Wicks): This bill will ensure local authorities and officials have access to crucial firearm trace data.
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