Legislation to Help Reduce Gun Violence Passes Senate Public Safety Committee
Sen. Blakespear’s bills would require gun sellers to post notices about risk; and require semiautomatic handguns with microstamping
SACRAMENTO – Two bills by Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, designed to help reduce gun violence passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on Tuesday.
“Gun violence is a dangerous, deadly, pervasive threat to modern life in California and the United States, and we must do everything possible to prevent it,” Blakespear said. “Gun purchasers must be made aware of the dangers of taking a firearm home, and police need more information to solve crimes involving firearms.”
SB 417 would require gun sellers to post warnings about the danger of having a firearm in a home. Research indicates that the presence of a firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide, death during domestic violence disputes and the unintentional death of children and household members.
SB 417 requires gun sellers to post the following notice: “Access to a firearm in the home significantly increases the risk of suicide, death, and injury during domestic violence disputes, and the unintentional death and traumatic injury to children, household members, and guests. If you or a loved one is experiencing distress or depression or is contemplating suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).”
Research counters the long-held belief that having a gun in your home makes you safer. In fact, the risk of death by suicide is 4 to 10 times higher in homes with guns, and people living with handgun owners die by homicide at twice the rate of their neighbors in gun-free homes, according to a report by Harvard Health Publishing.
SB 452 would require all semiautomatic pistols sold in California to use microstamping technology that would etch unique identifiers on expended cartridges. That would provide law enforcement with valuable information to help identify shooters.
When guns are used in homicides and other crimes, law enforcement often struggles to find the shooters. In 2021, the percentage of statewide gun crimes solved by law enforcement was only 40 percent, and only 55 percent for homicides, according to the Brady Campaign.
Microstamping required by SB 452 is a reliable, innovative technology that imprints a unique code on shell casings fired from a firearm. This will help law enforcement to identify the source of a gun used in a crime, allowing for more effective investigations into homicides and other firearm-related crimes.
The committee approved SB 417 on a 5-0 vote and SB 452 on a 4-0 vote. SB 417 moves next to the Senate floor, while SB 452 goes next to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Elected in November, Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern coastal San Diego County and part of Orange County. To learn more about the district and Blakespear, visit her Senate website.
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