- Simone Braithwaite
- Simone.Braithwaite@asm.ca.gov
SACRAMENTO - Assemblymember Kevin McCarty’s Firearm Transfer Delay during States of Emergency bill has been signed by Governor Newsom. It is a part of a package of gun violence prevention bills that was signed.
AB 1406 (McCarty) permits the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) to notify a firearm dealer to delay the sale of a firearm to a buyer for up to 30 days when an extraordinary event or declared state of emergency has prevented the CA DOJ from obtaining or reviewing background checks during the typical ten-day waiting period after a sale.
In early 2020, following a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, firearm sales in California doubled. Facing complications from court and government office shutdowns, staffing issues, social distancing, and increased sales, the CA DOJ could not conduct all background checks within the ten-day waiting period. Delaying the waiting period up to 30 days will give the CA DOJ the time needed to ensure those obtaining a firearm are not considered dangerous persons.
In addition to AB 1406, Governor Newsom signed two bills that Assemblymember McCarty is a lead- and joint-author on; Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel’s AB 28 and Senator Anthony Portantino’s SB 2.
AB 28 (Gabriel/McCarty), the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act, will curb gun violence by imposing an 11 percent tax on firearms and ammunition manufacturers and dealers, to help finance gun violence prevention and education programs.
SB 2 (Portantino, McCarty, et al.), strengthens the states concealed carry weapons (CCW) regulations by setting a minimum age of 21 years old, ensuring stronger firearm training requirements, and identifying sensitive public places where individuals can and cannot carry.
“California’s gun laws work,” said Assemblymember Kevin McCarty. “I am proud to be an author on these bills and want to thank the Governor for his commitment to combating gun violence in the state. These are common-sense bills that will continue to make California a safer place for families.”