After Sacramento Mass Shooting, Legislation to Curb Gun Violence Ready to Move Through Legislature.

Over the weekend, a shooting in Sacramento left at least six people dead and at least 12 more wounded. Authorities reported an attack on early Sunday morning on a street in downtown Sacramento. The shooting is the deadliest in Sacramento in 30 years.  The shooting comes just weeks after a Sacramento shooter killed five people at a church, including his three children in a domestic violence shooting. 

Gun sense champions in California have continually responded to gun violence tragedies by taking action on life saving gun safety policies. Strong gun laws save lives – and California is a clear example of that. The state continues to have one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the country while their lawmakers are leading the gun violence prevention movement. And while other states had rates of homicides and gun suicides skyrocket in the last decade, California’s gun violence increased modestly in comparison. However, gun violence continues in the state because it is surrounded by states with weaker gun laws and has become the epicenter of “ghost guns.”

California is only as safe as the nearest state with weak gun laws, so we need federal action to ensure that every state in the country requires background checks on all gun sales.  California should also continue to strengthen ghost guns laws, provide more resources for victims and survivors of gun violence, and start holding the gun industry manufacturers responsible for their malpractice. Gun violence requires holistic, comprehensive solutions on every level of government and Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers will continue to advocate for additional protections to keep their communities safe this session.  

More information on priorities for legislative session: 

• AB1594, legislation to allow lawsuits against manufacturers and sellers of firearms for the harm caused by their product.
• AB1621, legislation to further restrict ghost guns in California by ensuring that these parts and kits cannot be sold until they are treated as firearms under federal law. 
• AB2156, legislation that would strengthen California’s law governing the manufacture of firearms by closing gaps that currently allow individuals and corporations to manufacture unlimited numbers of firearms in California without a license.
• SB1327, legislation to create a private right of action for the residents of California that would allow citizens to sue anyone who is found to be in violation of the state’s firearm laws relating to the illegal manufacturing/transferring/selling of either assault weapons or ghost gun parts. 
• SB 299, legislation to ensure that victims of excessive use of force by law enforcement are able to utilize victim compensation.
• SB993, legislation to improve access to financial resources available to survivors and exonerees and removes barriers that prevent many crime survivors from receiving assistance. 
• AB2253, legislation to create a State Crime and Violence Prevention Center with the goal of developing a strategy to identify causes of gun violence in communities and to incorporate a public health approach to improve social determinants of health for communities most affected by gun violence.
• AB 988, legislation to create the Miles Hall Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Lifeline for mental health calls that does not require a direct line to law enforcement.
• AB1929, legislation to create a community violence prevention and recovery program covered as a Medi-Cal benefit. 
• AB 452, legislation to require schools to notify parents and guardians about secure storage laws.

Volunteers will also be advocating for more direct funding for the creation of an Office of Violence Prevention and to strengthen relinquishment of firearms after someone is convicted of domestic violence. Each of these measures will build on work California lawmakers have prioritized for years. 

In an average year, nearly 3,160 people die by gun violence in California and over 6,843 more are wounded. More information about gun violence in California is available here. To speak with a volunteer with Moms Demand Action and/or Students Demand Action in California, please don’t hesitate to reach out.