Governor Brown Signs New Gun Control Bill Into Law

Sacramento, Calif. – California Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the “Gun Violence Restraining Order (AB 1014)” that will allow family members or law enforcement to petition a court to remove firearms from someone temporarily if they believe there is a possible risk of injury or death.

“We applaud Governor Brown for signing AB 1014 into law that will keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people,” said Nick and Amanda Wilcox, legislative co-chairs of the California Chapters of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “The new ‘Gun Violence Restraining Order’ law will give families and law enforcement a needed tool to reduce the risk of mass shootings and gun violence both in the home and on our streets.”

This legislation was a priority for the 25 California Chapters of the Brady Campaign and was supported by a large and diverse list of supporters including the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, the California State Sheriffs Association, Disability Rights California, the City of Los Angeles, Attorney General Kamala Harris and the California Psychiatric Association. Other states are now looking to pass similar legislation in 2015.

AB 1014 passed the legislature in the wake of the attention after the Isla Visa shooting in May. Before the Isla Vista shooting occurred, the parents of the shooter contacted law enforcement because they felt their son posed a serious risk to himself or others. Law enforcement could not act because he didn’t meet the criteria for any further intervention. Current state law allows police intervention if a subject meets the criteria for an involuntary civil commitment to mental health treatment.

A “Gun Violence Restraining Order” will allow families in similar situations to seek a court order to temporarily restrict a person’s access to guns. The issue would later go to a hearing where future access to firearms would be ruled on.

With the signing of AB 1014, Governor Brown has now signed four Brady-supported bills into law in 2014. Earlier this year, Governor Brown signed into law another Brady-priority bill (AB 1964) that closes a loophole that has allowed gun dealers to skirt California law and sell handguns without safety features. Governor Brown also signed AB 1609 and SB 505, both of which were supported by the California Brady Chapters. The new laws will help curb illegal firearm trafficking and help keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people.