BILL ANALYSIS Ó AB 1609 Page 1 Date of Hearing: April 9, 2014 ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Mike Gatto, Chair AB 1609 (Alejo) - As Introduced: February 6, 2014 Policy Committee: Public SafetyVote: 5-2 Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: Yes Reimbursable: No SUMMARY This bill clarifies regulations for direct shipment of guns purchased out-of-state to California residents by explicitly requiring the gun to be delivered to a dealer in California for delivery pursuant to specified requirements in current law, including (a) a 10-day waiting period; (b) clear evidence of age and identity and a background check; and (c) possession of a handgun safety certificate. Violation of these provisions, which are also federal requirements, is an alternate felony/misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in county jail, or by 16 months, two, or three years in county jail if the gun is a handgun, or as a misdemeanor if the gun is not a handgun. FISCAL EFFECT 1)Unknown, likely minor, local incarceration costs, to the extent anyone is sentenced under this state section. For purpose of context, no one was committed to state prison in the two years prior to realignment for violating the dealer requirements this bill applies to out-of-state transfers. 2)Negligible administrative costs to the Department of Justice, as these requirements are already federal law. COMMENTS 1)Rationale . The author contends this clarification will increase public safety. "I am confident that this bill will cut down on the number of guns on the streets of our most AB 1609 Page 2 vulnerable cities by giving state law enforcement the tools to enforce what in many cases is now federal law. This bill will not affect those who abide by the law, only those who break it." 2)Prior legislation , AB 740 (Alejo), which was held on this committee's Suspense File, included the provisions of AB 1609 in a broader bill that, among other provisions, required electronic notification to DOJ regarding prohibited person status. Analysis Prepared by : Geoff Long / APPR. / (916) 319-2081