Brady Applauds California Governor Gavin Newsom for Signing Gun Violence Prevention Bills into Law

Washington, D.C., September 29, 2020 - Following the end of an unprecedented legislative session in California, Brady thanks Gov. Gavin Newsom for signing four needed gun violence prevention bills.

Brady President Kris Brown explained:

“Today, Gov. Newsom prioritized common-sense reforms and public safety to protect all Californians. By signing these bills into law, Gov. Newsom has again shown that he will champion the interests of his constituents and will not cow to the baseless complaints of the gun lobby. The passage of a bill to implement microstamping technology on new models of semiautomatic pistols is evidence of just that, coming over a decade after the state first passed a microstamping requirement that the gun industry has resisted ever since. That law will now aid law enforcement in solving crimes and preventing violence throughout the state for years to come. Throughout the upheaval caused by COVID, Gov. Newsom and the California State Assembly, and Assemblymember David Chiu in particular, remained steadfast in the conviction that common-sense gun safety policies can prevent gun violence. Today, those policies are law and all Californians are safer. Brady thanks Gov. Newsom for his leadership and commitment to keep his constituents safe from gun violence.”

These new laws will enhance public safety in California by addressing the complex nature of the gun violence epidemic with multi-faceted solutions. By enacting new evidence-based policies, reforming existing systems and improving regulations and procedures, these laws will reduce the impact of gun violence throughout the state. In particular, AB 2847, which requires microstamping technology on new semiautomatic pistols and was introduced by Assemblymember David Chiu, will revolutionize law enforcement's ability to identify, apprehend, and hold shooters and gun traffickers accountable.

Brady Program Manager Steve Lindley, the former Chief of the California Department of Justice’s Bureau of Firearms, shared:

“California is a safer state today because Gov. Newsom signed these bills into law. As a former Chief of the Bureau of Firearms, I have seen the impact of reforms like these in communities across California. Now law, this microstamping requirement shows how we can utilize new technology to keep us safer - and, frankly, that we must. From stronger enforcement mechanisms against gun dealers to a bill respecting extreme risk protection orders instituted in other states, these new laws strengthen California’s existing gun safety infrastructure. Gov. Newsom and the California State Legislature have again shown their commitment to the safety of all Californians.”

These legislative changes complement California’s funding for community violence prevention efforts included in the state’s 2020-2021 budget and already signed by Gov. Newsom. That funding protected and increased funding for the California Violence Intervention and Prevention Grant Program (CalVIP), which supports evidence-based urban violence prevention programs such as hospital and community-based violence interventions. These programs are proven to reduce the incidence of homicides, shootings, and aggravated assaults, especially in communities of color, often black communities, that are disproportionately affected by gun violence.

Brady California Legislative Chair Amanda Wilcox shared:

“Having worked for gun violence prevention in California for over 15 years, I have seen the state government make both positive and negative decisions about the safety of Californians. In fact, a bill requiring microstamping technology was the first bill I worked on in the legislature - today’s bill signing is a long overdue victory for the same common-sense policies we sought then. Already, we have seen their necessity numerous times, sometimes with tragic consequences. Thank you to Gov. Newsom and Assemblymember David Chiu, in particular, for championing these important reforms. They will save lives.”

About the bills:

AB 2847 - Introduced by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco), AB 2847 eases existing microstamping requirements to just one location, making it entirely feasible for gun manufacturers to comply and to introduce safer and better guns in California. This law will insure that newly introduced handguns have certain consumer safety features and microstamps that mark bullet casings with information to help law enforcement identify shooters and gun traffickers to catch them before they do more harm.

AB 2617 - Introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), AB 2617 will further protect those in crisis and all Californians by making out-of-state Extreme Risk Orders Enforceable in California.

AB 2362 - Introduced by Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi (D-Torrance), AB 2362 will allow the California Department of Justice to impose fines on firearm sellers for violations to ensure that gun dealers engage in safe and responsible business practices.

AB 2061 - Introduced by Assemblymember Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), AB 2061 will allow the California Department of Justice to inspect firearms dealers, ammunition vendors, or manufacturers participating in a gun show or event in order to ensure that all transfers or sales are conducted in compliance with applicable state and local laws.