THE ALASKA STORY
Sept. 28, 2026 – California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed 10 gun bills Saturday, expanding the state’s rules for firearm purchases, possession, records, protective orders and 3D printers.
Newsom called the package another step in preventing gun violence. Gun-rights advocates argue that several measures will burden lawful owners and are likely to face court challenges. No court has ruled on the newly signed package.
The most direct change for prospective buyers comes in SB 948. Beginning in 2029, applicants for a Firearm Safety Certificate will have to complete a course lasting at least four hours, including live-fire exercises. A separate provision beginning in 2028 requires people moving into California with firearms to obtain a certificate within 180 days. The California Rifle & Pistol Association says making a paid course a condition of exercising a constitutional right creates another barrier to ownership.
Another measure, AB 2047, targets the technology used to make firearms. It requires 3D printers sold in California to include technology that checks printing files and blocks attempts to produce firearms or certain gun components. Supporters say the measure could stop unserialized guns before they are made. Opponents have raised questions about whether the technology can work reliably and whether scanning and blocking digital files raises First Amendment concerns. bauer-kahan.asmdc.org
The remaining bills cover a wide range of changes:
- SB 1220 establishes a 10-year firearm prohibition tied to convictions involving firearms with removed or obscured serial numbers. The California Rifle & Pistol Association argues the penalty is too broad for some offenses.
- AB 1743 expands access to state firearm trace information for cities and researchers. Supporters say it will help identify how guns reach crime scenes; opponents raise privacy concerns.
- AB 1753 changes procedures involving protective orders, firearms and ammunition.
- AB 1943 adds firearm storage information to school notifications to parents.
- AB 1974 authorizes voluntary firearm storage programs run by law enforcement.
- AB 2339 addresses firearm prohibitions and reporting concerning prohibited persons.
- AB 2378 expands the state’s violence intervention and prevention grant program.
- AB 2636 changes how a loaded-firearm allegation is considered in juvenile proceedings.
The training provisions have later start dates, and the 3D-printer measure has its own phased timeline.
The next contest may be in court. Some of the measures are likely to draw challenges, continuing California’s long-running litigation over ammunition background checks.
2 thoughts on “Newsom signs 10 California gun bills, setting up fight over training, privacy, and 3D printers”
I love Gavin Newsome. Literally and figuratively. I love his legislation and plan to emulate his work and offer the same legislation when I become governor. But most importantly, I love his effort to strengthen the LGBTQ community. Lesbians, homosexuals, and transexuals need the absolute most protection Alaska can give. And I plan on doing it.
The Alaska legislative sessions of last year and this year had gun control bills, all written and sponsored by Democrats. Dunleavy would have vetoed them: JKT would not. Moreover, JKT, Peltola and Hill would not push back against gun control should they be elected, and Everytown and Giffords are watching closely. HIll and Peltola seemingly believe gun rights are fine so long as it’s confined to subsistence, doesn’t include handguns, and is associated with Alaska Natives. JKT is backed by the dollars of progressive Democrats in NYC and San Francisco: So how do you think he really stands on the 2nd Amendment?