California Becomes the First State to Ban Gun Shows on State Property, Builds on Orange County Fairgrounds Ban

SACRAMENTO, CA — Senator Dave Min (D-Irvine), Senator Monique Limón (D-Santa Barbara), and Assemblymember Steve Bennet (D-Ventura) announced that Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill (SB) 915 in to law. This legislation bans the sale of firearms, ammunition, and precursor parts on all property owned and operated by the state. This builds on SB 264 from last year that brought an end to gun shows held at the Orange County Fair & Event Center.  SB 915 comes at a moment where gun-related deaths in the United States have swelled to crisis levels, with increased fatalities in 2020 and 2021 according to the Gun Violence Archive.

“I’m proud to announce that the State of California will no longer profit off of the sale of firearms on its property,” said Min. “Last year, we laid the foundation for this moment with a ban on gun shows at the Orange County Fairgrounds. Today, I am proud to announce that California will become the first in the nation to enact a total ban statewide. This is a clear and decisive step to address the persistent threat of gun violence that has surged since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. For too long, gun shows have become synonymous with underage sales, cash-and-carry transactions, and the sale of unserialized ghost guns. At a time when the specter of gun violence looms everywhere, even in churches in communities like Laguna Woods, we must say that enough is enough. Our communities and our state will be safer because of this new law, and I would like to thank Governor Newsom and my legislative colleagues for their support in passing this landmark legislation.”

“I am pleased to see the Governor sign this crucial bill which will enhance gun safety in our communities,” said Senator Limón (D-Santa Barbara). “As a co-author, I am glad to see the prohibition of gun sales on state property be applied statewide.”

“It’s good to see California continuing to take steps both large and small to counter the influence of the gun lobby,” said Assemblymember Steve Bennett (D-Ventura).
 

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