Weekly Wrap: CA Proposes Annual Gun Registration
California lawmaker proposes yearly gun registration, New Mexico House passes 7-day waiting period on guns, and Speer wins SOCOM contract.
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Welcome to a weekly series here on Pew Pew Tactical dedicated to the gun news you need to know.
So, keep reading for this week’s notable news headlines…
Table of Contents
CA Intros Bill Requiring Yearly Registration of Guns
California Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) officially unveiled a new bill that would require gun owners to register their guns every year.
SB 1160, introduced on Feb. 14, would mandate that state residents register their firearms annually with the California Department of Justice or face a fine of up to $1,000.
The bill would also allow the state to set up a system that could be shared with law enforcement.
Portantino has a long history of authoring legislation aimed at expanding gun laws across the state.
In a press release, Portantino said the measure looks to gather data on exactly how many guns are in the state in addition to “increasing accountability” amongst gun owners.
"SB 1160 will give the state better data and help us understand how many firearms are in private hands and who owns them," Portantino explained.
"Currently, we only have rough estimates on how many firearms are in California. This important step toward registration will also increase accountability and responsible gun ownership as we collectively endeavor to increase public safety."
No word yet on how the state would ensure the data would stay private and protected – an important component given that the personal data of over 190,000 gun owners was leaked online in 2022. The subsequent investigation found that the state suffered “a number of deficiencies within DOJ including lack of training, expertise, and professional rigor; insufficient documentation, policies, and procedures; and inadequate oversight."
New Mexico Reps Push 7-Day Waiting Period on Guns
New Mexico’s House of Representatives passed a bill this week that would mandate a 7-day waiting period for all gun sales in the state.
The bill, HB 129, has already won approval from the state Senate but saw some significant changes as it worked its way through the legislature.
When introduced, it included a 14-day waiting period (no exceptions) and also required additional wait times for suppressors. Suppressors are already regulated under the National Firearms Act, but state representatives requested an additional wait period of up to six months. That was later removed from the bill.
As it stands now, the 7-day waiting period would only apply to those without a carry permit seeking to buy guns from an FFL.
FFL-to-FFL transfers would not be subject to the waiting period, and New Mexico carry permit holders would also be exempt. Law enforcement officers would also get a pass, as would family members transferring guns to immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparents/grandchildren, aunt/uncle, first cousin, or niece/nephew).
With Senate approval of 23-18 and now House approval 37-33, the bill moves on to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) for her signature – which is expected.
Speer Nabs SOCOM Contract for Gold Dot G2
Ammunition maker Speer has secured a three-year contract with U.S. Special Operations Command.
The company announced its Gold Dot G2 had been selected by USSOCOM in a three-year contract set to supply 8.5 million rounds.
Gold Dot G2 is a popular duty round due to the design of its nose, which features a shallow dish filled with a high-performance elastomer – rather than a large hollow-point cavity. This design ensures the best expansion and better separation of the petals upon impact.
Vice President of Government Sales David Leis said the company is pleased to provide America’s elite service members with quality ammunition.
“When it comes to dependability and terminal ballistics, Speer is the gold standard. That’s why Speer is a top choice of law enforcement and military professionals,” Leis said in a news release.
“Speer continues to supply our U.S. DOD and unified forces with superior products for their efforts in protecting U.S. global interests.”
Speer is currently owned by Vista Outdoors but will soon transition to Czechoslovak Group-CSG in a $1.91 billion sale announced in October 2023.