Over the last two weeks, the California legislature passed several bills which will impact the firearms industry. They have yet to make their way to the Governor for signature but we do not expect any vetoes. FFLs operating in California should be aware of the following:

• Assembly Bill 28: Effective July 1, 2024, this bill imposes an excise tax in the amount of 11% of the gross receipts from the retail sale in California of a firearm, firearm precursor part, and ammunition.  The bill also requires each licensed firearms dealer, firearms manufacturer, and ammunition vendor to register with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration for a certificate.
• Assembly Bill 1089: This bill expands licensing requirements and will prohibit any person from utilizing a 3D printer to manufacture a firearm and prohibits the purchase of 3D printers or CNC milling machines that have the sole or primary function of manufacturing firearms unless such person is a state-licensed firearms manufacturer.
• Assembly Bill 1406: This bill would authorize the department to request a delay of the delivery of a firearm if additional research is required to determine a person’s eligibility, as specified.  This bill would additionally authorize the department to request a delay of the delivery of a firearm for up to 30 days if an emergency, as defined, has caused the department to be unable to review records to determine a purchaser’s eligibility to purchase, receive, own, or possess a firearm prior to the conclusion of the waiting period.  This bill would, if a firearm being sold or transferred is reported as lost or stolen, require the department to reject the transaction and notify the law enforcement agency that reported the firearm as lost or stolen. The bill would require the dealer to hold the firearm and require that law enforcement agency to retrieve the firearm from the dealer, as specified.  This bill would also make changes to the notification procedures to purchasers regarding rejected or delayed background checks.
• Senate Bill 135:  Among its many provisions, this bill will authorize the California Attorney General to adjust the ammunition purchase background check transaction fee “as needed, not to exceed the reasonable cost of regulatory and enforcement activities related to the regulation of ammunition.”
• Senate Bill 417: This bill revises the State-mandated informational postings that are required to be posted at a licensee’s facility. The new postings will be required as of January 1, 2024.

Other bills in California have seen movement in recent weeks and also may be adopted. Licensees should take care to monitor California developments.

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Learn more more about AB-28, AB-1089, AB-1406, SB-135, & SB-417 or contact Orchid to obtain US-wide firearm bill monitoring and state restriction services with Orchid eState.