The Judiciary Committees in the California Assembly and Senate on Tuesday advanced two of the bills in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s sponsored gun safety package.
The committees passed legislation creating a private right of action to limit the spread of illegal assault weapons and ghost guns (SB 1327), as well as a bill restricting advertising of firearms to minors (AB 2571).
The passage of the bills in committee comes at the urging of Newsom and legislative leaders following the May 24 elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that left 19 children and two teachers dead.
“California has led the nation in reforming our laws to protect communities from gun violence,” Newsom said in a Tuesday statement. “This year is no different as we take decisive action to fast-track vital gun safety policies, even as recent federal court decisions threaten to make it more difficult to protect Californians from gun violence. Since the 1990s, our laws have prevented countless shootings and saved hundreds of lives. California isn’t waiting for Congress to act to protect our kids from needless gun violence.”
In February, Senate Majority Leader Emeritus Bob Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) introduced Senate Bill 1327.
Modeled after Texas’ SB 8, SB 1327 creates a first-in-the-nation private right of action for citizens to use against those who manufacture, distribute, transport, import into California, or sell assault weapons, .50 BMG rifles, ghost guns, or ghost gun kits.
Also in February, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) introduced AB 2571.
The bill seeks to restrict firearms marketing geared towards children and youth.
SB 1327 and AB 2571 are part of a package of bills that Newsom committed last month to signing.
Another bill, AB 1621, introduced by Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson (D-Carson), would restrict ghost guns and the parts and kits used to build them. It has cleared several initial readings but a June 9 committee meeting that was to have considered that bill was postponed.
Also part of the package is AB 1594, introduced by Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco).
The bill, which would allow governments and victims of gun violence to sue manufacturers and sellers of firearms, also is awaiting another committee hearing, according to the California Legislative Information portal.
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California Assembly and Senate advance bills in gun safety legislative package
- Elizabeth Larson
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