California Launches New Pilot Program to Enhance Community Safety Measures

Expanded Access to Gun Violence Restraining Orders in Four Counties

California has introduced an innovative pilot program designed to strengthen community safety protocols through expanded access to Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs). Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed AB 1344 into law, creating new pathways for addressing potential firearm-related risks.

Understanding California's GVRO Framework

The state's Gun Violence Restraining Order system was established in 2014 as a preventative measure to temporarily restrict firearm access—for up to five years—from individuals who may pose a risk of harm to themselves or others.

Original Provisions: The initial framework permitted only law enforcement officials and immediate family members to petition courts for these orders.

Current Eligibility: Over the past decade, the program has evolved to include a broader range of petitioners, now encompassing:

• Extended family members (including cousins and great-grandparents)
• Current and former roommates
• Employers and co-workers
• Educational professionals
• Parents of an individual's child
• Individuals in dating relationships

Program Growth and Implementation Data

The utilization of GVROs has shown significant growth across California:

• 2020: 522 orders issued
• 2023: 1,175 orders issued
• 2024: 2,762 orders requested (according to state legislative research office data)

New Pilot Program Details

AB 1344 Specifications:

• Authorizes district attorneys' offices in four counties to petition courts for GVROs
• Covers Alameda, El Dorado, Santa Clara, and Ventura counties
• Serves a combined population of nearly 3 million residents
• Approved by the state legislature with bipartisan consideration

Program Timeline:

• Active operation through 2032
• Legal framework remains in effect until 2034
• Ongoing data collection and analysis forwarded to the California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis

Legislative Background

The bill was co-authored by Democratic Assemblymember Catherine Stefani, who has extensive experience in public safety policy. Stefani previously served on the San Francisco city council as a Supervisor, where she pioneered California's first legislation addressing unregistered firearms and has continued working on various safety initiatives.

Constitutional Considerations

The California ACLU has raised thoughtful questions regarding the program's implementation, noting concerns about Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendment implications when prosecutors seek such orders.

The organization observed: "District Attorneys are not first responders in the traditional sense, and their role is not one of immediate crisis resolution. District Attorneys' tools are more punitive than preventative, inherently process-heavy, and employed over many days, months, or years with myriad checks and balances enforced through a defense attorney representing the accused."

Research and Evaluation

The pilot program includes comprehensive monitoring and evaluation components, with all implementation data being systematically collected and analyzed by the California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis to inform future policy decisions.