California governor Gavin Newsom signed new gun control laws into effect on Sept. 26, seeking to generate funding for school safety and gun violence prevention programs.
According to Gov. Newsom’s website, Gov. Newsom signed multiple gun safety laws in the wake of fatal shootings across the country. Among the new laws, Assembly Bill 28 (AB 28), taking effect July 1, 2024, will place an additional 11% excise tax on guns and ammunition.
AB 28 will be the first state excise tax on guns and ammunition in the nation, attempting to raise $160 million annually towards the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Fund, according to the office of Gov. Newsom.
“AB 28 will fund critical violence prevention and school safety programs that will save lives and protect communities across the State of California,” California Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel said, according to the office of Gov. Newsom.
California has some of the strongest gun control laws in the nation and has led the country in the number of restrictive gun laws since 1991, according to the State Firearm Laws Database. Among its laws are gun reforms such as stronger background check requirements and domestic violence protections, according to the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.
However, some disagree with the effectiveness of these reforms.
“California has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but there is still crime happening,” Francisco Vra, an employee at Bullseye Bishop, a local gun shop, said.
Despite gun advocates arguing against the effects of gun control laws, Gov. Newsom maintains that gun regulations are necessary for the safety of California communities.
In recent years, Gov. Newsom has played a significant role in stricter gun regulations in California, signing multiple restrictive gun laws despite conservative opposition, according to CalMatters.
“While radical judges continue to strip away our ability to keep people safe, California will keep fighting — because gun safety laws work. The data proves they save lives: California’s gun death rate is 43% lower than the rest of the nation,” Newsom’s website said.
Measures like AB 28 seek to prevent gun violence, but owners and gun retailers argue against the financial burden of the new law.
The 11% excise tax enacted by AB 28 will be added on top of the existing federal law, which claims a 10% to 11% excise tax, depending on the gun model.
Gun owner groups oppose the law, saying retailers will pass the fee on to consumers, according to the Sacramento Bee.
Customers will suffer because of the tax, according to Vra, but some legislators believe that the excise tax is justified.
“It’s shameful that gun manufacturers are reaping record profits at the same time that gun violence has become the leading cause of death for kids in the United States,” Assemblymember Gabriel said.
Gun violence is locally relevant for many Carlmont students after a shooting incident last year caused a secure campus order.
The event had lasting impacts on the district, and Carlmont took action to further develop the school safety plan, according to Administrative Vice-Principal Gregg Patner, who was glad to hear about Gov. Newsom signing the new laws.
“I am looking forward to seeing resources spent on continuing to make schools safer,” Patner said.
