CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2025–2026 REGULAR SESSION

Senate Bill
No. 248

Introduced by Senator Rubio

January 30, 2025

An act to add Section 28222 to the Penal Code, relating to firearms.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


SB 248, as introduced, Rubio. Firearms: information to new owners.
Existing law requires any sale, loan, or transfer of a firearm to be processed through a licensed firearms dealer. Existing law exempts from this requirement certain transfers such as those made by gift, bequest, intestate succession, or operation of law, among others. Existing law requires a person who receives a firearm pursuant to these provisions to submit to the Department of Justice a report, as prescribed by the department, describing the firearm and providing personal information. Existing law requires that fees charged by the department for the processing of these forms be deposited in the Dealers’ Record of Sale Special Account, which is available, upon appropriation by the Legislature, to offset certain costs relating to the regulation of firearms, among other things.
This bill would, beginning July 1, 2027, require the department to mail to any person who notifies the department pursuant to the above-described reports of a firearm transaction a letter that includes certain information relevant to firearm ownership, such as information on how to legally transfer or relinquish a firearm and resources regarding gun violence restraining orders, among others. The bill would state that the Dealers’ Record of Sale Special Account may, upon an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, be used for any costs associated with this law’s implementation.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 28222 is added to the Penal Code, to read:

28222.
 (a) Beginning July 1, 2027, the department shall mail a letter to the listed residential address of any person who notifies the department pursuant to Section 27560, 27875, 27920, or 28000. This letter shall include all of the following and any other information the department deems relevant to firearm ownership:
(1) The importance of secure storage of firearms, including, at a minimum, a summary of applicable secure storage and child access prevention laws.
(2) Overview of basic laws and obligations related to gun ownership and possession in California.
(3) Information and data about the risks of gun ownership and possession.
(4) Information on how to legally transfer or relinquish a firearm.
(5) Information and resources regarding gun violence restraining orders.
(6) Information and resources related to suicide prevention.
(7) Information and resources related to domestic violence.
(b) The Dealers’ Record Of Sale Special Account may, upon an appropriation by the Legislature for this purpose, be used for any costs associated with this law’s implementation and ongoing expenses.
(c) The department may adopt regulations to implement this section.