An act to amend Sections 27560 and 31615 of, and to add Section 31640.5 to, the Penal Code, relating to firearms.
SB 948 would tighten California’s firearm safety certificate requirements in two main ways. First, it would require a personal firearm importer—someone bringing a firearm into California—to obtain a valid firearm safety certificate within 60 days and include a copy of that certificate with the import report submitted to the Department of Justice. Failure to do so would be treated as a misdemeanor under the Penal Code. The bill also clarifies that a person importing a firearm must either comply with the reporting process, transfer the firearm through a dealer or law enforcement, or otherwise dispose of it under existing law.
Second, the bill would raise the training standard for obtaining a firearm safety certificate beginning July 1, 2028. Applicants would have to complete at least an 8-hour course that includes at least one hour of live-fire shooting on a firing range, along with instruction on firearm laws, safe storage, handling, accident prevention, lawful transfer, self-defense, conflict resolution, and issues such as suicide prevention and domestic violence. The Department of Justice would be authorized to adopt regulations and provide implementation guidance.
The bill would amend Penal Code sections 27560 and 31615 and add new Section 31640.5, expanding the legal obligations tied to firearm importation and firearm safety certification. It would create a new misdemeanor-level violation for failing to obtain or include proof of a firearm safety certificate when importing a firearm, and it would make the certificate process more rigorous by requiring live-fire training and a longer instructional course for new applicants after July 1, 2028. The bill also contemplates DOJ rulemaking and use of the Dealers Record of Sale Special Account for implementation costs, while stating that no state reimbursement to local agencies is required because the measure creates or changes criminal penalties.
The available vote history suggests the bill has received generally favorable committee treatment, but not unanimous support. It passed the Senate committee stage on a 5-1 vote after amendment and was later placed on the Assembly Appropriations suspense file by a 7-0 vote, indicating fiscal review rather than substantive opposition at that stage. No committee transcripts were provided, so the record reflects procedural support for moving the bill forward, tempered by the fact that it was still under appropriations scrutiny.
The main points of contention are likely to be the bill’s added regulatory burden on firearm owners and importers, and the new live-fire, eight-hour training requirement for firearm safety certificates. Supporters would likely view the measure as strengthening safe handling, storage, and legal compliance, while opponents may argue that it increases cost, time, and access barriers for lawful gun owners, especially new residents importing firearms. The misdemeanor penalty for failing to include a certificate with an import report is another likely flashpoint, as it expands criminal liability for noncompliance with administrative requirements.