On Eve of National Gun Violence Awareness Day, Senator Arreguín's Bill to Protect Californians from Illegal Firearms Advances to the Assembly
Sacramento, CA - Yesterday, the State Senate advanced SB 704 by Senator Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley) to the Assembly in a 27-11 vote. The bill builds upon California’s leadership on common sense gun control by requiring the purchase of a firearm barrel be done in person through a licensed dealer, and with a background check conducted on the purchaser. Such requirements already exist for purchasing a firearm.
“Californians have made it clear that reducing violent crimes is a priority, and removing illegal guns from our streets is a proven way to stop criminals from terrorizing our communities,” said Senator Arreguín, Chair of the Senate Public Safety Committee. “SB 704 provides a simple solution that will make it more difficult for lawbreakers to obtain illegal firearms, while respecting the 2nd Amendment rights of responsible gun owners.”
SB 704 will help curb the proliferation of ghost guns, which are not serialized and therefore cannot be traced. Such weapons are becoming increasingly popular with criminals. In 2022, AB 1621 was enacted into law, which banned the sale of ghost guns and ghost gun kits. However, the use of emerging technologies such as 3D printing are being used to circumnavigate firearm regulations. While many components of ghost guns can be constructed through 3D printing, the firearm barrel, a key component, cannot be practically constructed through this method. As a result, people are resorting to the purchasing of such components to complete the manufacturing of a ghost gun.
“California has made meaningful progress in curbing the spread of ghost guns, and as we confront the growing threat of 3D-printed firearms, Brady applauds Senator Arreguín and the Senate for advancing SB 704,” said Kris Brown, President of Brady. “One critical limitation in 3D-printing guns is the difficulty – if not impossibility – of printing a functional firearm barrel. SB 704 addresses this gap by regulating these key components, establishing a reasonable safeguard against the illegal production of deadly weapons. This is a common-sense, life-saving measure that will help prevent the proliferation of 3D-printed guns in California.”
Currently, firearm barrels are unregulated and can be purchased online without restrictions or background checks. This loophole allows people who are prohibited from owning firearms to manufacture a firearm illegally. Background checks on firearms are very popular, with a 2023 Fox News survey showing 87% of Americans supporting it. SB 704 keeps up with emerging technologies by requiring background checks on one of the most critical components of a firearm, which will help reduce the spread of ghost guns.
The vote on SB 704 came just before National Gun Violence Awareness Day, which is commemorated on the first Friday of June. People are encouraged to wear orange on June 6 to raise awareness of gun violence, which on average kills 125 people in the United States and injures 200 more daily.