The signing ceremony took place in Sacramento, with lawmakers and gun-control advocates in attendance. Newsom emphasized California's commitment to maintaining its position as a national leader in gun control and called for greater federal action on the issue.
"We have a responsibility to do more and continue to lead in that conversation," Newsom stated. "I think we need to be screaming louder about this." He expressed pride in signing the bills but acknowledged that addressing gun control ultimately requires a national approach.
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The new laws build upon a resolution passed earlier this month by the California Legislature, which called for a constitutional convention of the states to consider a new amendment on gun control. California already has some of the strictest firearm restrictions in the country, consistently earning high marks from gun-control advocacy organizations like the Giffords Law Center. However, the state has seen an increase in violent crime rates in recent years, with guns playing a role, according to the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California.
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The signing of these measures comes in the wake of two mass shootings earlier this year in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, which resulted in the deaths of 18 people. These incidents have intensified pressure for additional legislation to regulate firearms.
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Among the more than 20 bills signed by Newsom, two stand out as particularly significant. Senate Bill 2 is California's response to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. vs. Bruen last year, which struck down restrictive concealed-carry laws as unconstitutional. The decision prompted Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Democratic lawmakers to draft legislation that would replace California's subjective concealed-carry permit law with a policy that guarantees a license once certain criteria are met. However, the new law still faces legal challenges from gun-rights advocates.
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Senate Bill 2 outlines over two dozen "sensitive places" where firearms are prohibited, including child care centers, schools, public transit, banks, museums, zoos, medical facilities, parks, playgrounds, and bars. The bill also includes a controversial provision that designates commercial businesses as gun-free zones by default unless the owner explicitly allows firearms.
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Under the new law, licensing authorities, such as sheriff's departments, will be required to conduct in-person interviews with applicants, request character references, and review publicly available statements, such as social media posts, to determine if someone poses a public safety risk. The law also increases training and safety storage rules and raises the minimum age for concealed-carry applicants to 21, matching the age requirement to purchase a handgun in California.
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Kris Brown, president of Brady: United Against Gun Violence, praised the changes, stating that raising the minimum age for concealed-carry permits and implementing sensitive place restrictions will enhance community and family protection from gun violence. Brown also referred to last year's Supreme Court decision in Bruen as a crucial factor in the need for these measures.
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California legislators modeled Senate Bill 2 after a similar New York law that is currently facing legal challenges likely to reach the Supreme Court. Shortly after the state Legislature approved Senate Bill 2, gun-rights groups filed a lawsuit to block its implementation, arguing that it still contains subjective licensing criteria that contradict the Bruen decision and that the extensive list of sensitive places is unconstitutional.
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During the signing event in Sacramento, Attorney General Bonta dismissed these arguments, asserting that Senate Bill 2 is "Bruen compliant" and follows the blueprint set by the Supreme Court decision. State Senator Anthony Portantino also expressed confidence in California's ability to defend the banned places listed in the bill, stating that it is the responsibility of concealed-carry permit holders to determine where they are allowed to carry their weapons.
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The second major proposal signed by Governor Newsom is Assembly Bill 28, a landmark legislation introduced by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel. This bill imposes an 11% tax on firearm and ammunition sales by dealers and manufacturers. The revenue generated from this tax is expected to exceed $160 million annually and will be allocated towards violence prevention, school safety programs, and victim support services.
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Opponents of Assembly Bill 28 extend beyond the usual 2nd Amendment advocacy organizations that typically challenge California's firearms laws. Wildlife, conservation, and hunting groups have also expressed concerns that the tax burden will fall on law-abiding gun owners. They argue that the cost of hunting and shooting sports will become unaffordable for low-income communities and that the legislation will discourage outdoor recreation.
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The California Rifle & Pistol Association, in opposition to the bill, stated that Assembly Bill 28 would unfairly burden law-abiding citizens who legally purchase and use firearms and ammunition. Despite Governor Newsom's previous reluctance to support new taxes, a coalition of over 100 gun-safety groups lobbied for the bill's signing, emphasizing how the revenue would support violence-prevention programs and solidify Newsom's legacy as a national champion for gun safety.
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Governor Newsom defended his decision to sign the gun tax bill, viewing it differently from a general income tax. He emphasized that the funds generated would be used for essential services and programs, stating, "I think this is a pretty modest investment in prevention."
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Paul Carrillo, Vice President of the Giffords Center for Violence Intervention, praised the new tax law, stating that it would provide permanent funding for programs that effectively reduce gun violence. Carrillo believes that the legislation will save countless lives in the years to come and establish a sustainable funding stream for proven violence-prevention initiatives.
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The gun tax law will go into effect on July 1, 2024.
In addition to the aforementioned bills, Governor Newsom signed several others that will regulate firearms in California. These include restrictions on firearms dealers from hosting certain game-style promotional events, provisions for gun owners in mental health crises to store their weapons with dealers, a requirement for microstamping verification on semiautomatic pistols sold by licensed firearm dealers starting in 2028, restrictions on firearm ownership for individuals in pretrial mental health diversion programs, a reduction in the time allowed for individuals convicted of a crime to surrender their firearms, a ban on the purchase or ownership of body armor for those already prohibited from owning guns, and measures to address unserialized firearms, commonly known as ghost guns, and the 3-D printers used to manufacture them.
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