Californians looking to buy a firearm — and gun owners moving into the state — could face new training requirements under a bill advancing in Sacramento.
Senate Bill 948, authored by state Sen. Jesse Arreguín, D-Berkeley, would require most firearm purchasers to complete a four-hour safety course that includes live-fire training before obtaining a firearm safety certificate. The requirement would begin in 2028 if the bill is signed into law.
The measure also would apply to people who move to California with firearms. New residents would be required to obtain a firearm safety certificate and register their guns with the California Department of Justice within 180 days of arriving in the state. Beginning July 1, 2028, that certificate would require completion of the new training course.
The proposal is the latest firearm regulation being considered by California lawmakers in a state already known for having some of the nation’s strictest gun laws. Its future remains uncertain, however. A similar bill with longer training requirements stalled in the Legislature last year.
SB 948 cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday on a party-line vote, with Republicans opposed. The committee did not hear public testimony or discuss the bill during the hearing, which is common for fiscal committees.
Earlier this year, when the bill called for eight hours of training, Arreguín told the Senate Public Safety Committee that stronger education requirements could help prevent gun violence and accidental shootings, particularly those involving children.
Supporters argue the measure would promote responsible gun ownership. Rebecca Marcus, a lobbyist for the Brady Campaign, told lawmakers that California recorded more than 69,000 shootings resulting in death or urgent medical treatment from 2016 through 2021. She said roughly one-third were accidental and that many involved children.
Gun rights organizations strongly oppose the proposal and have warned it would likely face a court challenge if enacted.
Adam Wilson of Gun Owners of California described the requirements to lawmakers as an unreasonable obstacle to exercising Second Amendment rights.
Clay Kimberling, representing the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action, said the bill would be especially burdensome for the estimated 115,000 gun owners who move to California each year, including people relocating for jobs, military assignments or family responsibilities.
An earlier version of the bill would have required new residents to complete the course and register their firearms within 60 days. The current version extends that period to 180 days.
Under existing California law, most people must pass a written test and pay $25 for a firearm safety certificate, which is valid for five years, before buying a gun. Formal training is not currently required.
Some firearm buyers would remain exempt under SB 948. Licensed hunters already complete a hunter safety course and do not need a firearm safety certificate to purchase rifles or shotguns. People with concealed carry permits also would remain exempt; those permits require 16 hours of training, including live-fire instruction.
For those covered by the bill, the proposed course would include instruction on California and federal gun laws, safe storage, proper handling, the risks associated with firearms, use-of-force rules, legal firearm sales and conflict resolution. At least one hour would have to be spent on live-fire training at a range.
Opponents say the added requirement would make firearm ownership more expensive. Gun rights groups estimate that hiring a state Department of Justice-certified instructor could add at least $400 to the cost of purchasing a gun, not including ammunition, firearm rental or range fees. Existing fees and firearm taxes already can add more than $100 to a gun purchase in California.
Before the training requirement begins in 2028, the bill would impose new rules starting Jan. 1 for people moving into California with firearms. They would need to pass the current written safety test and register their guns with the Department of Justice within 180 days.
A violation of the proposed law would be a misdemeanor.
SB 948 now heads to the full Senate. If approved there, it must move through the Assembly before reaching Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has not publicly taken a position on the proposal.
