These new California gun laws go into effect in 2025
LOS ANGELES - Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several bills in Sept. 2024 aimed at reducing gun violence and preventing mass shootings.
"The laws build on California’s successful strategies to address gun violence, including new measures to reduce domestic violence," Newsom said in a statement.
According to Newsom's office, California is ranked #1 for gun safety and last year experienced a gun death rate 43% lower than the national average. In comparison, Texas and Florida, who ranked 31st and 24th respectively in gun law strength, had firearm mortality rates more than 1.5 times that of California.
SUGGESTED: New California laws going into effect in 2025
More Americans died of gun-related injuries in 2021 than in any other year on record, according to the latest available statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The implementation of the new laws comes on the heels of a shooting at a Wisconsin private school earlier this week. A staff member and another student were killed in the attack, and six others were injured. The suspected shooter was identified as a 15-year-old female student at the school.
Firearms purchases
AB 1483 eliminates an existing private party transaction exemption from the prohibition on more than one firearm purchase within a 30-day period.
Also, the bill adds an exemption for any private party transaction where the seller is, at the time of the transaction, required under state law or by court order to relinquish all firearms, and for any private party transaction where the seller is transferring the firearms as a result of the death of the owner of the firearms, as specified.
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Firearms safety education
AB 1598 expands what is covered on the firearm safety certificate (FSC) test and requires that FSC applicants receive a study guide with this safety information prior to the test.
Additionally, the bill requires licensed firearm dealers to provide safety pamphlets to purchasers and transferees, as well as those being loaned a firearm. The pamphlet will have information on the risks of and bringing a firearm into the home, including the increased risk of death to someone in the household by suicide, homicide, or unintentional injury.
"This will give firearm owners accurate information about the risks posed by having a firearm in the home, and about protective orders for high-risk situations when someone is at risk of harm. With this, they can make more informed, independent, and responsible decisions about their firearms and the safety of their families," said Amy Barnhorst, MD, psychiatrist and Associate Director of the California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis.
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Records of sale
AB 574 mandates that the register or record of sale include an acknowledgment by the purchaser or transferee that they have, within the last 30 days, confirmed possession of every firearm that they own or possess.
Restraining orders
AB 2917 expands on the state's Gun Violence Restraining Order (GVRO) law.
Under AB 2917, threats directed towards a group or location will be permissible in court when deciding whether to issue a restraining order to prohibit a person from purchasing or possessing a firearm or ammunition.
According to the California Attorney General's 2023 Hate-Crime Report, hate crimes involving racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender bias all increased between 2021 and 2022.
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"With hate-based and politically motivated violence on the rise, California courts must be vigilant in considering these threats when determining whether to restrict access to firearms," Assemblymember Rich Chavez Zbur said in a statement. "This bill guides the courts to weigh threats of violence against groups protected by hate crime laws and threats made to advance political objectives. By doing so, we can prevent needless deaths and save innocent lives."
To see a full list of new laws going into effect in 2025, tap or click here.
The Source: This story was reported with information from the office of Gov. Gavin Newsom and the California Legislative Information website. The Associated Press contributed.