In a move that significantly alters the gun-buying landscape in California, Governor Gavin Newsom has signed into law a piece of legislation targeting a specific design of semi-automatic handguns. CBS News California reported that Assembly Bill 1127 prohibits the sale of new Glock pistols, and other firearms with similar design features that can be easily modified into fully automatic weapons, a concern emphasized due to the potential attachment of a "Glock Switch." While the possession and resale of existing Glocks remain legal, this law targets the flow of new Glock-style guns into the market.
While Glocks are known for their customizability, and as some gun owners have pointed out, their "ultra-reliability," this law focuses on the ease with which they can be modified, potentially transforming them into automatic weapons. Despite the law, gun store owners like Eddie Ford have noted that the vast number of Glocks already in circulation could undermine the impact of this legislation on criminal use of modified weapons, according to a statement obtained by CBS News California.
Additionally, Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1344, which allows prosecutors in certain California counties to file for Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs), according to KTLA. This move expands the current red flag laws and establishes a pilot program in counties such as Alameda, El Dorado, Santa Clara, and Ventura, to enhance community safety by temporarily removing firearms from individuals considered a threat. The outcome of this pilot program will be tracked through annual reports, a practice set to begin in 2027.
The laws have been met with criticism from Second Amendment groups, which have called Assembly Bill 1127 unconstitutional, planning to challenge it in court. The Firearms Policy Coalition released a statement claiming that "Governor Newsom has once again proven that California’s political class will stop at nothing to attack peaceable people and their rights," according to a statement found on The Desert Sun. They plan to "move swiftly to strike down this unlawful and immoral ban in federal court" ensuring that constitutional rights prevail over the legislated ban.
The passage of these bills highlights California's ongoing legislative efforts to regulate firearms and comes in the wake of multiple shooting incidents involving Glocks modified with illegal switches. As the state grapples with gun violence and its implications, these new laws are part of a wider debate on the balancing act between public safety and constitutional rights. Impacted companies like Glock have yet to respond to these legislative changes.
