California Legislature Passes AB 1127: Everytown, Moms Demand Action, and Students Demand Action Urge Governor Gavin Newsom to Sign First-in-the-Nation Bill Taking on DIY[...]

California is on the Verge of Becoming the First State to Push Gun Makers to Make Safer Pistols

Supporters of AB 1127 Sent 134,984 Messages to Lawmakers and Made Over 2,400 Calls Urging Its Passage

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The California chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety's grassroots network, issued the following statements after lawmakers in the Senate passed AB 1127, followed by a concurrence vote in the Assembly. The legislation, which now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom's desk, would prohibit gun dealers from selling firearms that can be easily converted into fully automatic weapons through the simple installation of a Glock switch, which enables pistols to fire at a rate of up to 1,200 rounds per minute. The legislation would not affect law enforcement nor force current owners of these weapons to relinquish their firearms.

"DIY machine guns are just as scary as they sound, and we applaud California legislators for taking action to prevent gun makers from selling handguns that can easily be converted to fully automatic weapons," said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. "Time is of the essence, and we urge Governor Newsom to sign this bill and continue to lead the nation on gun safety."

"The gun industry keeps finding new ways to put our lives at risk and ignoring the deadly consequences. With this bill, California has the power to push back," said Angela Ferrell-Zabala, executive director of Moms Demand Action. "No one should have to live in fear of illegal machine guns tearing through their communities. Governor Newsom must take this legislation across the finish line and keep California leading the way on gun safety."

"Gun makers have had every chance to act, but instead they've looked away-leaving law enforcement to recover more and more switches, and forcing our communities to bear the cost in blood and fear," said Cassandra Whetstone, a volunteer with the California chapter of Moms Demand Action. "The gun industry has poked the bear with their reckless indifference - and now it's time to strike back. Governor Gavin Newsom has the opportunity to reaffirm California's role as the nation's gun safety leader, or risk sending a dangerous signal that even here, the gun industry can call the shots. Governor, sign this bill and save lives."

"Gun companies know exactly what they're doing and they've chosen profits over public safety every single time," said Lyanna Wong, a volunteer leader with Students Demand Action in California. "These weapons don't belong in our school, homes, or communities, and young people like me are the ones stuck living with the fear they create. This bill is a chance to finally put people first and that's why we're calling on Governor Newsom to stand with us. Prove that California won't back down when lives are on the line."

This year marks three years since a converted Glock pistol, turned into a DIY machine gun, was used in a Sacramento shooting that left six people dead and twelve others injured. Police recovered more than 110 shell casings at the scene.

Machine guns are prohibited under California state law. But because the gun industry has chosen to put profits over public safety, firearms that can be easily converted into machine guns are readily available. AB 1127 would ban the retail sale of weapons that can be easily modified into DIY machine guns in an effort to prevent these deadly weapons from continuing to flood our streets.

AB 1127 will have an important impact on public safety but only a small impact on how many types of handguns are available on the retail market: the majority of pistols available for sale in California, including by some of the largest manufacturers like Smith & Wesson, Sig Sauer, Taurus, and others don't have this problem and would continue to be sold across the state. If the manufacturers impacted by the bill decide to fix the dangerous design that allows their guns to be easily converted into machine guns, they can resume selling in California as long as they comply with other existing laws. The bill exempts future sales to law enforcement and the military.

More information about the gun safety laws championed by Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action volunteers in California is available here. Statistics about gun violence in California are available here, and Everytown's Gun Law Navigator - which shows how California's gun laws compare to those of other states - is available here.

To speak with a policy expert at Everytown or a local volunteer with Moms Demand Action or Student Demand Action, please reach out to [email protected].