VICTORY FOR GUN SAFETY: Following Tireless Advocacy From Moms Demand Action And Students Demand Action, Governor Newsom Signs First-Of-Its-Kind Gun Safety Bill

The California chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statements applauding California Governor Gavin Newsom for signing into law legislation to limit the spread of illegal guns and hold the gun industry accountable. SB 1327 creates a private right of action that would allow individuals to sue anyone who violates certain California firearm laws, including those who make or sell illegal assault weapons or ghost gun parts, and those who sell guns to underage buyers. Thousands of volunteers in California reached out to lawmakers in support of the gun violence prevention legislation. 

“Today is a momentous day for California,” said Mia Tretta, a gun violence survivor and volunteer with Students Demand Action. “SB 1327 will make it easier for victims of ghost gun violence, like me, to help enforce our gun laws. It will save lives by attacking the illegal ghost gun industry.”

“This is a major win for the gun violence prevention movement,” said Krystal LoPilato, the state Legislative Lead for the California chapter of Moms Demand Action. “While there is more work to be done, the signing of SB 1327 is a new chapter in the way we treat the flow of illegal guns in California. It sends a clear message that our state will not tolerate this illicit industry. Thank you to Senator Hertzberg, Senator Portantino, and Governor Newsom for prioritizing gun violence prevention.”

Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers stood beside Governor Newsom as he signed the bill into law today in Santa Monica. Mia Tretta introduced the Governor, speaking about her personal experience with gun violence and her advocacy fighting for common sense gun laws. 

Following years of advocacy from Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers and members of the Everytown Survivor Network, the California State Legislature has passed over a dozen gun safety bills. Today marks the twelve of these bills Governor Newsom has signed into law. These include: AB 2571, legislation to prohibit the gun industry from marketing firearms to minors; AB 2156, which cracks down on unlicensed manufacturers; AB 1621, legislation to further regulate ghost guns; and AB 1594, legislation to establish accountability for the firearm industry. 

Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children and teens in California. Every year, over 3,100 Californians are shot and killed and nearly 7,300 are wounded. Gun violence costs California $41.9 billion each year, of which $1.1 billion is paid by taxpayers. More information about gun violence in California is available here.