Brady Celebrates Signing of AB 1191, A Bill Requiring California to Analyze Crime Gun Data

Washington, D.C., October 10, 2021 - Today, Brady thanks Governor Newsom for signing AB 1191 into law. AB 1191, introduced by California Assemblymember Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) will require the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to analyze data from firearms recovered at crime scenes, colloquially called crime guns, to determine trends and patterns related to how these weapons are sold and trafficked. The bill will also require the DOJ to provide an annual firearms-tracing report to the California State Legislature.

These actions will provide California with much-needed insight into how communities are flooded with illegal guns and how firearms come to be used in crime. The data and analysis will enable the state to make informed decisions around dealer inspections, regulations, and additional policies that will help to prevent gun violence.

Brady California President Mattie Scott shared:

“Like the rest of the country, Californians have faced increased gun violence during the coronavirus pandemic. One of the most important tools that our state has to address this violence and prevent gun trafficking is data on crime guns and the ability to analyze that information. This law will compel our government to do just that, providing law enforcement the opportunity to make evidence-based decisions on how to keep our communities safe, especially Black and Brown Californians who are disproportionately affected by gun violence.

Brady thanks Assemblymember McCarty for championing this important policy and Governor Newsom for ensuring that it becomes law. It will save lives.”

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

"This new law will help our state’s law enforcement to better understand gun violence and gun trafficking patterns. By requiring the California Department of Justice to analyze and report on crime gun data, academics, activists, law enforcement and other experts will be able to scrutinize this important information to develop new processes and initiatives that address gun violence in our state and keep us safe. This is a common-sense law that will yield clear benefits.”

Team ENOUGH Executive Councilmember Stephan Abrams shared:

“As a young activist, it is gratifying to have state leaders like Assemblymember McCarty and Governor Newsom who are unafraid to act to pass common-sense gun violence prevention laws. This bill will help to ensure that the state and other experts can analyze crime gun data to help create tailored solutions to keep us safe. This will particularly assist in reducing gun violence in Black and Brown communities, which bear the brunt of gun violence in our state, without targeting these communities with aggressive policing policies. Thank you to Assemblymember McCarty for sponsoring and shepherding this legislation through the state legislature and to Governor Newsom for signing this important bill into law.”

About AB 1191:

California’s Department of Justice regularly collects crime gun data. This bill would require the CA DOJ to analyze this data in an effort to identify trends in how crime guns are sold and trafficked. AB 1191 will also require the department to create an annual firearms tracing report to track California licensed firearms dealers that are selling recovered crime guns.

What is a crime gun?

A crime gun is a gun that has been recovered by law enforcement officials after being used in a crime, suspected of being used in a crime or possession of the gun may have been a crime. Only 5 percent of gun dealers are responsible for 90 percent of recovered crime guns nationwide.