AB 1478

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Existing law, subject to certain exceptions, generally makes it an offense to manufacture or sell an unsafe handgun, as defined, and requires the Department of Justice to compile a roster listing all of the handguns that have been tested and determined not to be unsafe handguns. Existing law establishes criteria for determining if a handgun is an unsafe handgun. Existing law, commencing July 1, 2022, requires that a handgun, to be included on the roster, be designed and equipped with microscopic characters used to identify the pistol, imprinted on the interior of the pistol and transferred to each cartridge case when the firearm is fired. This bill would, until July 1, 2022, require those microscopic characters to be imprinted in 2 one or more places on the interior of the pistol, provided that the department certifies that the technology used to create the imprint is available to more than one manufacturer unencumbered by any patent restrictions. Existing law, commencing July 1, 2022, also precludes from inclusion on the list a firearm that is not already on the list if it does not have a chamber load indicator or magazine disconnect mechanism, as specified. This bill would preclude a firearm from the list if it doesn't have a chamber load indicator or magazine disconnect mechanism and wasn't on the roster as of 2007. The bill would make other nonsubstantive conforming changes. By expanding the number of firearms the sale or manufacture of which would be a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.