AB 3127

Bill Subjects

Abstract

(1) Existing law requires the Department of Justice to examine its records in order to determine whether the purchaser of a firearm is prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm. If the department determines that the purchaser is prohibited from possessing a firearm, existing law requires the department to notify the firearms dealer and either the chief of police or the sheriff in the county in which the sale was made. This bill would, commencing January 1, 2022, require the Department of Justice to notify the relevant local law enforcement agency of each application to purchase a firearm, request to register the acquisition or ownership of a firearm, request to obtain a serial number for a firearm, request to register an assault weapon or .50 BMG rifle, and request for specified weapons permits. Commencing January 1, 2025, the bill would also require the department to notify the relevant local law enforcement agency of each request to purchase a firearm precursor part. (2) Existing law makes it a crime for certain persons to possess a firearm, including, among other persons, persons convicted of a felony, persons who are addicted to the use of a narcotic drug, persons convicted of specified violent offenses, persons who have been adjudicated by a court of any state to be a danger to others as a result of a mental disorder or mental illness, and persons who have been admitted to a facility, are receiving inpatient treatment, and, in the opinion of the attending health professional who is primarily responsible for the patient's treatment, are a danger to themselves or others. This bill would require the Department of Justice, if the department determines that a person prohibited from possessing a firearm by the provisions described above has attempted to acquire a firearm, to notify the local law enforcement agency with primary jurisdiction over the area in which the person was last known to reside. If the person is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm because of a mental illness, as defined, the bill would require the department to also notify the county department of mental health in the county in which the person was last known to reside. (3) Existing law, as added by the Safety for All Act of 2016, an initiative statute approved by voters as Proposition 63 at the November 8, 2016, statewide general election, requires the sale of ammunition to be conducted by a licensed ammunition vendor. Existing law generally requires ammunition to be sold only to people who meet specified criteria, including to a person whose firearms ownership information matches an entry in the Automated Firearms System and who is eligible to possess ammunition. This bill would require the Department of Justice to notify the relevant local law enforcement agency if a person who is prohibited from possessing ammunition attempts to purchase ammunition.