An act to amend Section 26220 of the Penal Code, relating to firearms.
Summary
AB 1948 amends California Penal Code Section 26220 to lengthen the validity period for concealed carry licenses. Under the bill, a new license to carry a concealed firearm would be valid for up to three years instead of two, and a renewal license would be valid for up to six years instead of two, with conforming changes made throughout the section. The measure applies to licenses issued under the state’s concealed carry licensing provisions and preserves existing special rules for licenses tied to employment, custodial officers, and certain peace officers.
The bill does not change who may obtain a license or the underlying eligibility and training requirements. Instead, it changes the duration of the license once issued, which reduces how often license holders must renew and how often licensing authorities must process renewals. The bill was enacted as Chapter 44, Statutes of 2026.
Impact
AB 1948 directly amends Penal Code Section 26220, changing the expiration periods for concealed carry licenses issued by local licensing authorities. It extends the maximum term for new licenses to three years and for renewal licenses to six years, while leaving intact the existing county-specific and employment-based limitations and the separate provisions for custodial officers and certain peace officers. The practical effect is to reduce administrative renewal frequency for license holders and issuing agencies, without altering the substantive standards for issuance.
Sentiment
The available voting record shows broad support and no recorded opposition. The bill passed the Assembly committee stage 9-0 and later passed on the Assembly consent calendar 71-0, indicating a consensus-oriented measure with little apparent controversy in the recorded proceedings. Its placement on the consent calendar also suggests it was viewed as a relatively noncontroversial administrative change rather than a major policy shift.
Contention
No committee transcript or floor debate is provided, and the recorded votes show no nays, so there is no documented opposition in the materials supplied. Any potential point of contention would likely have centered on firearms policy more generally—specifically whether extending concealed carry license terms makes permitting easier or simply reduces paperwork—but that concern is not reflected in the available vote history. The bill’s narrow scope and conforming amendments likely limited dispute.
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 18.2-308.2:2 and 18.2-308.2:5 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 18.2-308.2:6, relating to firearm purchase requirements; penalties.
An Act to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-915.5, 18.2-308.09, 18.2-308.2:1, 18.2-308.2:2, 18.2-308.2:3, 18.2-308.2:5, 18.2-308.7, and 19.2-386.28 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding sections numbered 18.2-287.4:1, 18.2-308.1:9, and 18.2-309.1, relating to purchase, sale, transfer, etc., of assault firearms and certain ammunition feeding devices prohibited; penalties.
Weapons: firearms; firearms law; amend to reflect repeal of the extreme risk protection order act. Amends secs. 2, 2b, 5b & 8 of 1927 PA 372 (MCL 28.422 et seq.). TIE BAR WITH: HB 4140'25, HB 4140'25