California: Gun Owner's Privacy Now in Newsom's Hands

Yesterday, the Senate passed Assembly Bill 173, and the Assembly concurred with the amendments. It makes available to certain researchers a litany of information on gun owners, including personal identifying information. AB 173 now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom for his consideration, joining Senate Bill 264, the gun show restriction bill, which passed last week. The legislature will adjourn the 2021 session tonight. Please contact Gov. Newsom by calling (916) 445-2841, or by clicking the button below, to ask him to VETO AB 173 and SB 264.

Assembly Bill 173 requires that the California Department of Justice (DOJ) supply state information, including personal identifying information, to the UC Gun Violence Research Center at UC Davis, and allows the DOJ to provide this same information to certain non-profits and state agencies. This legislation creates grave privacy concerns, as well as concerns that this information could be provided to groups that create biased “research” to push gun control policies without actually researching root causes of violence.

Senate Bill 264 prohibits officers, employees, operators, lessees, or licensees of the 32^nd District Agricultural Association from entering into any agreement to allow for the sale of any firearm, firearm parts, or ammunition on property or buildings that comprise the OC Fair and Event Center or properties in Orange County and Costa Mesa that are owned, leased, operated, or occupied by the District. This imposes a one-size-fits-all restriction to prevent officials from deciding how to use venues. In addition, this prevents businesses from renting taxpayer-funded venues for lawful activities.

Again, please contact Gov. Newsom and ask him to VETO AB 173 and SB 264.