California governor signs new gun safety law requiring four-hour training class

Gov. Newsom signed Senate Bill 948 on Saturday, creating a mandatory four‑hour safety class for gun owners in California. The requirement applies to residents who purchase a firearm starting in 2029, and to new movers who must obtain a firearm safety certificate within 180 days of arrival beginning in 2028.

The bill is part of a package of ten gun‑safety measures signed by Newsom, which also includes Senate Bill 1220, a ten‑year prohibition for those convicted of stripping a gun’s serial number, and Assembly Bill 1743, which allows cities and universities to request serial‑number data from the state Department of Justice.

Advocacy groups such as the Brady Campaign and Giffords praised the new law as a step toward reducing gun‑related injuries, while the California Rifle and Pistol Association expressed concerns that the mandatory class could be seen as a tax on gun ownership.

Read the full story at CalMatters.