Legal/Legislative Update for March 2026 Meeting

News From crpa.org:

CRPA is thrilled to celebrate a rousing victory in the case of Junior Shooting Sports Magazines, Inc. v. Bonta, our case challenging the ban on any marketing of firearms or firearms-related products or events that could be construed as “targeting minors.” Please click here to view the full article at crpa.org.

Here are a few updates on CRPA’s ongoing 2A legal battles as well as some other new laws you should be aware of:

1. Boland v. Bonta: Handgun Roster Challenge:
   Current Status: The case’s outcome is currently pending the en banc review by the Ninth Circuit, as part of a larger consolidation of key Second Amendment challenges in California. The challenged “safety” requirements remain in effect pending a final judgment.
2. Rhode v. Bonta: Ammo Background Checks:
   The ruling is paused as the state requested an “en banc” (full court) review, with oral arguments scheduled for this month, keeping the law in effect for now.
   
3. Rupp v. Becerra: California Assault Weapons Ban:
   The ban remains in effect while litigation continues, following a 2023 ruling that put a hold on a lower court’s decision to overturn it.
4. Duncan v. Bonta: Large (standard) Capacity Magazine Ban:
   On August 17, 2025, the plaintiffs filed a petition for certiorari (a formal request asking a higher court to review a lower court’s decision) with the United States Supreme Court.
5. Poway Weapons v. California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (CDTFA): 11% Tax on Guns and Ammunition:
   Legal challenges are ongoing, with lawsuits seeking to halt the tax and obtain refunds for taxes already paid.
6. SB 53: Safe storage:
   Effective January 1, 2026, SB 53 mandates that all firearms in a residence must be securely stored (in a DOJ-approved lockbox/safe or with a locking device) when not carried or readily controlled, expanding current rules to cover all residents, not just those with children, and increasing penalties for non-compliance.
   The law aims to prevent unauthorized access by children, teens, and prohibited persons, requiring owners to use certified safety devices or safes and store guns separately from ammunition, with violations escalating from infractions to misdemeanors.
7. AB 1078: 3 Firearms a Month:
   Law goes into effect April 1, 2026. It replaces a one-gun-per-month law struck down by the courts. The law also allows non-Californians to hold a California concealed carry weapons permit.
8. Barrel purchases:
   Beginning July 1, 2027, purchasing a firearm barrel will require an in-person background check at a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL).
9. AB 1127: Glock Ban:
   Current Glock pistol models (as well as other striker-fired pistols with a cruciform trigger bar) will no longer be available for sale in gun stores starting July 1, 2026. Gun stores in California are now prohibited from buying new or used Glock pistols for retail sale (as of January 1, 2026).Those who already own a Glock pistol will not be affected by the new law, private party transfers will still be allowed.

The following are some proposed new Assembly and Senate bills:

1. AB 1626
   This bill expresses the California Legislature’s intention to pass a law requiring youth sports organizations to ensure their coaches receive training on mental health, building upon existing requirements that coaches be certified and re-certified every two years to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a life-saving technique for individuals whose hearts have stopped beating.
2. AB 1743
   This bill expands access to firearm tracing data for academic and policy research purposes, allowing any town, city, or county, state government agency, California community college, California State University, or the University of California to request this information from the Department of Justice. The Attorney General will be responsible for setting guidelines for this access and must provide the data in a format suitable for the requesting entity’s needs. This aims to facilitate research into patterns and trends related to recovered firearms, including their sources and origins, and to inform
   policy decisions.
3. AB 1753
   This bill makes several changes to laws concerning protective orders, primarily focusing on firearms and ammunition. It explicitly requires individuals subject to certain protective orders, including civil harassment, domestic violence, elder abuse, workplace violence, and post-secondary school restraining orders, to relinquish not only any firearms but also any ammunition in their possession or control. The bill also expands pre-hearing firearm searches to include civil harassment, workplace violence, post-secondary school, and elder or dependent adult abuse restraining orders, ensuring courts check if the subject owns firearms before issuing such orders. Additionally, it mandates that peace officers taking temporary custody of firearms at domestic violence incidents or during the enforcement of restraining orders must also take custody of any ammunition found. Finally, the bill requires courts to allow parties, support persons, or witnesses to appear remotely at hearings for post-secondary educational institution or workplace violence restraining orders at no cost, and to develop and post rules for these remote appearances online.
4. AB 1912
   This bill amends existing law regarding the archery season for deer hunting in California. Previously, individuals hunting deer with a bow and arrow during the archery season were generally prohibited from carrying any firearm, with exceptions for active or retired peace officers. This bill would change that by allowing any person to carry a concealed firearm while hunting deer with a bow and arrow, though they would still be prohibited from using the firearm to hunt the deer.
5. AB 1948
   This bill amends existing California law regarding firearms and concealed carry licenses, specifically changing the duration for which these licenses are valid. Currently, a new concealed carry license is valid for up to two years, and a renewal license is also valid for up to two years. This bill proposes to extend the validity of a new license to three years from the date it is issued, and a renewal license to six years from the date of renewal. The bill also makes conforming changes to related provisions concerning licenses issued to custodial officers and peace officers appointed under specific sections of the law, adjusting their validity periods to align with the new general durations.
6. AB 1974
   This bill authorizes law enforcement agencies, such as police departments and sheriff’s departments, to establish voluntary firearm storage programs, allowing individuals to temporarily entrust their firearms to the agency for safekeeping to help prevent gun violence, suicides, and other injuries. These programs would provide clear instructions on how to transfer a firearm to the agency and how to request its return, with the agency checking databases to ensure the firearm isn’t stolen or involved in a crime and verifying the owner’s eligibility to possess firearms upon its return. The bill also specifies that if a firearm is not retrieved within a time frame set by the agency, it will be destroyed, and importantly, law enforcement agencies will not be held liable for any damage to firearms while they are in their temporary custody.
7. SB 948
   This bill requires individuals who import firearms into California to obtain a valid firearm safety certificate and include a copy with their import report, creating a new prohibition against bringing a firearm into the state without one within 60 days, except in specific circumstances. Additionally, starting July 1, 2028, applicants for a firearm safety certificate will need to complete an 8-hour training course that includes live-fire shooting exercises and covers various topics such as firearm laws, safe handling, secure storage, conflict resolution, and mental health issues related to firearms. The bill also clarifies that violations of the new import requirement will be punished similarly to existing violations related to firearm transfers.
8. SB 1021
   This bill would require the California Fish and Game Commission to create a program aimed at providing more opportunities for youth with life-threatening illnesses and those who have lost a parent serving the state or country to go fishing and hunting for various game, including big game, upland game birds, and migratory game birds. In developing this program, the commission is directed to collaborate with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and specific nonprofit organizations that focus on fish and game conservation and primarily represent licensed hunters and anglers. The bill also clarifies that “big game” will have the same definition as provided in the California Code of Regulations.