California Lawmakers Pass Controversial Firearms Legislation Targeting Popular Handgun Models

Legislative Action Advances to Governor's Office

California's Democrat-majority legislature has successfully passed contentious legislation that places widely-used handgun models, including Glocks and similar designs, under new regulatory restrictions. The controversial measure now awaits gubernatorial approval.

Senate and Assembly Approval Process

Assembly Bill 1127 received overwhelming support in the state Senate with a decisive 29-2 vote last Friday. The legislation then proceeded to an unusual Saturday legislative session in the state Assembly, where lawmakers approved the measure by a 54-16 margin, reflecting clear partisan divisions. The bill has now been forwarded to Governor Gavin Newsom's office for final consideration.

Given Governor Newsom's established track record of endorsing firearms restrictions across multiple governmental levels, the Democratic governor is expected to sign the legislation into law.

Key Provisions and Technical Specifications

Targeted Firearm Definitions

While the legislation avoids explicitly naming "Glock" in its text, AB 1127 specifically targets semi-automatic firearms classified as "machine gun-convertible pistols." The bill employs highly technical language to define these weapons as those capable of accepting commercially available full-auto conversion devices, commonly referred to as "switches" or "chip" inserts.

Regulatory Framework and Penalties

The new law establishes strict consequences for firearms dealers who sell targeted weapons to civilian customers. Licensed dealers face potential penalties including:

• Fines reaching $5,000 per violation
• Possible license revocation
• Exemptions remain in place for military and law enforcement purchases

Manufacturing Restrictions

AB 1127 includes provisions that prohibit manufacturers from creating "California-compliant" modifications, such as anti-switch blocks integrated into firearm frames during production. This aspect of the legislation suggests the measure extends beyond addressing conversion devices to restrict entire categories of popular handguns.

Stakeholder Perspectives

Gun Control Advocacy Support

National firearms restriction organizations have championed AB 1127 as a priority initiative, with several groups actively involved in related legal proceedings against Glock.

John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, expressed strong support for the legislation, stating: "DIY machine guns are just as scary as they sound, and we applaud California legislators for taking action to prevent gun makers from selling handguns that can easily be converted to fully automatic weapons. Time is of the essence, and we urge Governor Newsom to sign this bill and continue to lead the nation on gun safety."

Second Amendment Rights Opposition

Gun rights organizations representing California's substantial firearms-owning population have voiced significant opposition to the measure. Gun Owners of California, which advocates for approximately 13 million California gun owners, characterizes the legislation as part of a broader strategy to eliminate Second Amendment protections statewide.

According to the organization's statement: "AB 1127 operates as a veiled ban on Glock handguns and dozens of its clones, one of the most widely used and trusted firearm brands in the world. By specifically targeting the potential for modification, this bill disproportionately affects potential Glock purchasers and restricts access to one of the most popular handguns available, further demonstrating that this legislation is not about safety but about incremental firearm prohibition."

Legal Context and Federal Regulations

Existing Federal Restrictions

It's important to note that the conversion devices targeted by AB 1127 are already prohibited under federal law. The National Firearms Act explicitly bans unregistered automatic conversion switches, making their possession and use illegal regardless of manufacturer endorsement.

Implementation Timeline

Should Governor Newsom sign AB 1127 into law, the legislation will add another layer of state-level restrictions to existing federal regulations governing automatic weapons and conversion devices.