California’s gun safety measure would require more firearms training

from Ryan SabalowCalMatters

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Californians would have to take a four-hour live-fire training course to buy a gun if a bill moving through the Legislature is signed into law.

Senate Bill 948by the Berkeley Democratic senator. Jesse Arreguinwould also require gun owners moving to California to obtain a firearm safety certificate and register their firearms within 180 days of arrival. Starting in 2028, obtaining this certificate will require the completion of training.

It’s the latest effort by California Democrats to add more restrictions on gun ownership in a state that already has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. However, it is hardly certain that the bill will become law. A similar measure died in the legislature last year.

This year’s proposal was brought up by the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday on a party-line vote with Republicans opposed. Committee members did not comment on the measure or take public testimony, which is typical for this committee.

But in March, when an earlier version of the bill would have required eight hours of training, Arreguín told the Senate Public Safety Committee that the proposed training requirements would reduce gun violence and prevent accidental shootings.

“Firearm safety is essential to prevent firearm-related incidents, especially those involving children,” he said. “By strengthening training requirements and closing loopholes in current law, SB 948 will ensure responsible gun ownership to keep Californians and communities safe.”

Rebecca Marcus, a lobbyist for the Brady campaign, told the committee there were more than 69,000 shootings that resulted in death or required emergency medical care in California from 2016 to 2021. About one in three of those shootings were accidental, she said. Lots of kids involved.

Gun rights advocates said the bill would be challenged in court if it becomes law.

Adam Wilson of Gun Owners of California called the proposed requirements “an insurmountable barrier to the exercise of a constitutional right”.

Clay Kimberling, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, said that’s especially true for the roughly 115,000 gun owners who move to California each year.

“Whether they’re moving stateside for a new job, a new military assignment, or family responsibilities like helping a sick or elderly family member, legal firearms owners will now have to find an instructor, pay for a class … and take eight hours out of their day … simply because they want to continue to exercise their constitutional right to keep and bear arms in a new state.” Kimberling said.

This initial version of the bill would also require new arrivals to California to register firearms and complete the course within 60 days.

Will the bill reach Newsom?

Under current law, Californians are required to pass a written test and pay $25 to obtain a five-year firearm safety certificate to purchase a gun, but no formal training is required.

Licensed hunters are required to take a mandatory hunting safety course and are not required to obtain a certificate when purchasing rifles or shotguns. Also exempt are those who have obtained a concealed weapons permit, which is issued after 16 hours of mandatory training that includes live firing at a range.

These exclusions will still apply.

For everyone else, the proposed four hours of training will include coursework on state and federal gun laws, safe storage of firearms, safe handling, the dangers of guns, use-of-force laws, how to sell firearms legally and conflict resolution. The live shooting portion of the course must last at least an hour.

Second Amendment groups say paying for a DOJ-certified firearms instructor would add at least $400 to the cost of purchasing a firearm. Applicants will also have to pay for ammunition, gun rental and range fees. Firearms fees and taxes can now add more than $100 to the price of a firearm in California.

The training requirements will go into effect on July 1, 2028.
Until then, starting Jan. 1, gun owners who move into the state will have to pass the current written test and register their firearms with the Department of Justice within 180 days.

Violating the proposed law would be a crime.

The bill now moves to the full Senate. It will then have to pass the Assembly by this summer if Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to sign it. He has not taken a position on the legislation.

Last year, a bill with eight-hour training requirements died in the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

This article was originally published on CalMatters and is republished under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives license.