Sen. Blakespear Introduces Legislation to Clamp Down on Gun Trafficking

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Catherine Blakespear, D-Encinitas, on Tuesday introduced legislation to clamp down on gun trafficking and ensure that gun dealers are following the rules designed to prevent criminal activity. 

SB 15 requires more detailed records to be kept of guns for sale and greater scrutiny of gun dealers providing high numbers of firearms for criminal activity. In addition, the legislation allows the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to revoke dealer licenses for two years for those who fail to allow a DOJ inspection of their premises, don’t keep accurate business hours or don’t correct violations within 90 days.

“We know California has tough gun safety laws, but the problem is ensuring that everyone is following them,” said Sen. Blakespear. “Far too many guns make their way into the hands of criminals. SB 15 improves reporting and oversight to limit gun trafficking.”

From 2017 to 2021, over 1 million lost or stolen firearms were reported to authorities, according to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Of those, nearly 35,000 firearms were stolen from licensed dealers and another 13,145 were stolen in interstate shipments, which are often used to transport firearms between manufacturers and dealers.

Theft can happen when dealers are not closely monitoring their inventories, not following rules or acting in bad faith. SB 15 is designed to tighten scrutiny and rules to reduce thefts and other gun trafficking.

The legislation is sponsored by Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

“SB 15 is a smart, data-driven bill that will make California safer by placing greater scrutiny on the sources of guns used in crimes,” said Giffords Policy Attorney Ethan Murray. “This legislation would create a system to help detect guns smuggled into the state and gives law enforcement the information they need to ensure firearms aren’t being trafficked.”

Today, there are more firearms than people and more dealers than all McDonalds, Burger King, Subway and Wendy’s restaurants combined in the United States. Considering the number of firearms circulating throughout the country, it is not surprising that many firearms are lost, stolen, or end up associated with a crime.

Blakespear represents Senate District 38, which covers northern San Diego County and part of southern Orange County. To learn more about the district and Sen. Blakespear, visit her Senate website.