Assembly Bill No. 2176
CHAPTER 185

An act to amend Sections 18255, 18260, 18405, 20155, 22815, 23685, 26045, 26890, 31640, 31700, and 32010 of the Penal Code, relating to firearms.

[ Approved by Governor  August 24, 2018. Filed with Secretary of State  August 24, 2018. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2176, Jones-Sawyer. Firearms.
(1) Existing law requires a peace officer to take temporary custody of any firearm or other deadly weapon discovered at the scene of a domestic violence incident involving a threat to human life or physical assault, when serving a protective order, or when serving a gun violence restraining order. Existing law requires the officer taking custody of the firearm to give the owner a receipt indicating where the firearm or other deadly weapon can be recovered, the time limit for recovery, and the date after which the owner can recover the firearm or other deadly weapon.
This bill would require the receipt to include the name and residential mailing address of the owner of the firearm or other deadly weapon. Because this bill would increase the duties of local law enforcement, it would impose a state-mandated local program.
(2) Existing law prohibits the sale of tear gas or a tear gas weapon to a minor. Notwithstanding this law, existing law allows a minor who has attained 16 years of age to purchase and possess tear gas or a tear gas weapon if the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or has the written consent of a parent or guardian. Existing law requires any civil liability of a minor arising out of the minor’s use of tear gas or a tear gas weapon other than for self-defense to be imposed upon the person, parent, or guardian who signed the statement of consent.
This bill would impose that civil liability on the parent, guardian, or other person who authorized the provision of tear gas to a minor by signing a statement of consent or accompanying the minor.
(3) This bill would make various technical, nonsubstantive changes.
(4) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.
This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: YES  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 18255 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

18255.
 (a) Upon taking custody of a firearm or other deadly weapon pursuant to this division, the officer shall give the owner or person who possessed the firearm or other deadly weapon a receipt.
(b) The receipt shall describe the firearm or other deadly weapon and list any identification or serial number on the firearm.
(c) The receipt shall indicate where the firearm or other deadly weapon can be recovered, the time limit for recovery as required by this division, and the date after which the owner or possessor can recover the firearm or other deadly weapon.
(d) The receipt shall include the name and residential mailing address of the owner or person who possessed the firearm or other deadly weapon.

SEC. 2.

 Section 18260 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

18260.
 Any peace officer, as defined in subdivisions (a) and (b) of Section 830.32, who takes custody of a firearm or other deadly weapon pursuant to this division, shall deliver the firearm or other deadly weapon within 24 hours to the city police department or county sheriff’s office in the jurisdiction where the college or school is located.

SEC. 3.

 Section 18405 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

18405.
 (a) If a petition is filed under Section 18400, the law enforcement agency shall inform the owner or person who had lawful possession of the firearm or other deadly weapon, at that person’s last known address, by registered mail, return receipt requested, that the person has 30 days from the date of receipt of the notice to respond to the court clerk to confirm the person’s desire for a hearing, and that the failure to respond shall result in a default order forfeiting the confiscated firearm or other deadly weapon.
(b) For purposes of this section, the person’s last known address shall be presumed to be the address provided to the law enforcement officer by that person at the time of the domestic violence incident.
(c) In the event the person whose firearm or other deadly weapon was seized does not reside at the last address provided to the agency, the agency shall make a diligent, good faith effort to learn the whereabouts of the person and to comply with these notification requirements.

SEC. 4.

 Section 20155 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

20155.
 Any manufacturer, importer, or distributor of toy, look-alike, or imitation firearms that fails to comply with any applicable federal law or regulation governing the marking of a toy, look-alike, or imitation firearm, is guilty of a misdemeanor. The definition of “imitation firearm” specified in Section 16700 does not apply to this section.

SEC. 5.

 Section 22815 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

22815.
 (a) Notwithstanding subdivision (d) of Section 22810, a minor who has attained the age of 16 years may purchase and possess tear gas or a tear gas weapon pursuant to this division if the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or has the written consent of a parent or guardian.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (c) of Section 22810, a person may sell or furnish tear gas or a tear gas weapon to a minor who has attained the age of 16 years and who is accompanied by a parent or guardian, or who presents a statement of consent signed by the minor’s parent or guardian.
(c) Any civil liability of a minor arising out of the minor’s use of tear gas or a tear gas weapon other than for self-defense is imposed upon the parent, guardian, or other person who authorized the provision of tear gas to a minor by signing a statement of consent or accompanying the minor, as specified in subdivision (b). That parent, guardian, or other person shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for any damages proximately resulting from the negligent or wrongful act or omission of the minor in the use of the tear gas or a tear gas weapon.

SEC. 6.

 Section 23685 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

23685.
 Each lead law enforcement agency investigating an incident shall report to the State Department of Health Services any information obtained that reasonably supports the conclusion that a child 18 years of age or younger suffered an unintentional or self-inflicted gunshot wound inflicted by a firearm that was sold or transferred in this state, or manufactured in this state. The report shall also indicate whether as a result of that incident the child died, suffered serious injury, or was treated for an injury by a medical professional.

SEC. 7.

 Section 26045 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

26045.
 (a) Nothing in Section 25850 is intended to preclude the carrying of any loaded firearm, under circumstances where it would otherwise be lawful, by a person who reasonably believes that any person or the property of any person is in immediate, grave danger and that the carrying of the weapon is necessary for the preservation of that person or property.
(b) A violation of Section 25850 is justifiable when a person who possesses a firearm reasonably believes that person is in grave danger because of circumstances forming the basis of a current restraining order issued by a court against another person who has been found to pose a threat to the life or safety of the person who possesses the firearm. This subdivision may not apply when the circumstances involve a mutual restraining order issued pursuant to Division 10 (commencing with Section 6200) of the Family Code absent a factual finding of a specific threat to the person’s life or safety. It is not the intent of the Legislature to limit, restrict, or narrow the application of current statutory or judicial authority to apply this or other justifications to a defendant charged with violating Section 25850 or committing another similar offense. Upon trial for violating Section 25850, the trier of fact shall determine whether the defendant was acting out of a reasonable belief that the defendant was in grave danger.
(c) As used in this section, “immediate” means the brief interval before and after the local law enforcement agency, when reasonably possible, has been notified of the danger and before the arrival of its assistance.

SEC. 8.

 Section 26890 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

26890.
 (a) Except as provided in subdivisions (b) and (c) of Section 26805, any time when the licensee is not open for business, all inventory firearms shall be stored in the licensed location. All firearms shall be secured using one of the following methods as to each particular firearm:
(1) Store the firearm in a secure facility that is a part of, or that constitutes, the licensee’s business premises.
(2) Secure the firearm with a hardened steel rod or cable of at least one-eighth inch in diameter through the trigger guard of the firearm. The steel rod or cable shall be secured with a hardened steel lock that has a shackle. The lock and shackle shall be protected or shielded from the use of a boltcutter and the rod or cable shall be anchored in a manner that prevents the removal of the firearm from the premises.
(3) Store the firearm in a locked fireproof safe or vault in the licensee’s business premises.
(b) The licensing authority in an unincorporated area of a county or within a city may impose security requirements that are more strict or are at a higher standard than those specified in subdivision (a).
(c) Upon written request from a licensee, the licensing authority may grant an exemption from compliance with the requirements of subdivision (a) if the licensee is unable to comply with those requirements because of local ordinances, covenants, lease conditions, or similar circumstances not under the control of the licensee.
(d) Subdivisions (a) and (b) shall not apply to a licensee organized as a nonprofit public benefit corporation pursuant to Part 2 (commencing with Section 5110) of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code, or as a mutual benefit corporation pursuant to Part 3 (commencing with Section 7110) of Division 2 of Title 1 of the Corporations Code, if both of the following conditions are satisfied:
(1) The nonprofit public benefit or mutual benefit corporation obtained the dealer’s license solely and exclusively to assist that corporation or local chapters of that corporation in conducting auctions or similar events at which firearms are auctioned off to fund the activities of that corporation or the local chapters of the corporation.
(2) The firearms are not handguns.

SEC. 9.

 Section 31640 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

31640.
 (a) The department shall develop a written objective test, in English and in Spanish, and prescribe its content, form, and manner, to be administered by an instructor certified by the department.
(b) If the person taking the test is unable to read, the test shall be administered orally. If the person taking the test is unable to read English or Spanish, the test may be administered orally by a translator.
(c) The test shall cover, but not be limited to, all of the following:
(1) The laws applicable to carrying and handling firearms, particularly handguns.
(2) The responsibilities of ownership of firearms, particularly handguns.
(3) Current law as it relates to the private sale and transfer of firearms.
(4) Current law as it relates to the permissible use of lethal force.
(5) What constitutes safe firearm storage.
(6) Issues associated with bringing a firearm into the home.
(7) Prevention strategies to address issues associated with bringing firearms into the home.
(d) Commencing January 1, 2019, the test shall require the applicant to be provided with, and acknowledge receipt of, the following warning information:
(1) “Firearms must be handled responsibly and securely stored to prevent access by children and other unauthorized users. California has strict laws pertaining to firearms and you can be fined or imprisoned if you fail to comply with them. Visit the Web site of the California Attorney General at https://oag.ca.gov/firearms for information on firearm laws applicable to you and how you can comply.”
(2) “If you decide to sell or give your firearm to someone, you must generally complete a ‘Dealer Record of Sale (DROS)’ form and conduct the transfer through a licensed firearms dealer. Remember, it is generally a crime to transfer a firearm without first filling out this form. If the police recover a firearm that was involved in a crime, the firearm’s previous owner may be prosecuted if he or she did not fill out the DROS form. Please make sure you go to a licensed firearms dealer and fill out that form if you want to sell or give away your firearm.”
(e) (1) The department shall update test materials related to this article at least once every five years.
(2) The department shall update the Internet Web site referenced in subdivision (d) regularly to reflect current laws and regulations.
(f) If a dealer licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive, or his or her employee, or where the managing officer or partner is certified as an instructor pursuant to this article, he or she shall also designate a separate room or partitioned area for a person to take the objective test, and maintain adequate supervision to ensure that no acts of collusion occur while the objective test is being administered.

SEC. 10.

 Section 31700 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

31700.
 (a) The following persons, properly identified, are exempted from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615:
(1) Any active or honorably retired peace officer, as defined in Chapter 4.5 (commencing with Section 830) of Title 3 of Part 2.
(2) Any active or honorably retired federal officer or law enforcement agent.
(3) Any reserve peace officer, as defined in Section 832.6.
(4) Any person who has successfully completed the course of training specified in Section 832.
(5) A firearms dealer licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive, who is acting in the course and scope of that person’s activities as a person licensed pursuant to Sections 26700 to 26915, inclusive.
(6) A federally licensed collector who is acquiring or being loaned a firearm that is a curio or relic, as defined in Section 478.11 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations, who has a current certificate of eligibility issued by the department pursuant to Section 26710.
(7) A person to whom a firearm is being returned, where the person receiving the firearm is the owner of the firearm.
(8) A family member of a peace officer or deputy sheriff from a local agency who receives a firearm pursuant to Section 50081 of the Government Code.
(9) Any individual who has a valid concealed weapons permit issued pursuant to Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 26150) of Division 5.
(10) An active or honorably retired member of the United States Armed Forces, the National Guard, the Air National Guard, or the active reserve components of the United States, where individuals in those organizations are properly identified. For purposes of this section, proper identification includes the Armed Forces Identification Card or other written documentation certifying that the individual is an active or honorably retired member.
(11) Any person who is authorized to carry loaded firearms pursuant to Section 26025 or 26030.
(12) Persons who are the holders of a special weapons permit issued by the department pursuant to Section 32650 or 33300, pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 18900) of Chapter 1 of Division 5 of Title 2, or pursuant to Article 4 (commencing with Section 32700) of Chapter 6 of this division.
(b) The following persons who take title or possession of a firearm by operation of law in a representative capacity, until or unless they transfer title ownership of the firearm to themselves in a personal capacity, are exempted from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615:
(1) The executor or administrator of an estate.
(2) A secured creditor or an agent or employee thereof when the firearms are possessed as collateral for, or as a result of, a default under a security agreement under the Commercial Code.
(3) A levying officer, as defined in Section 481.140, 511.060, or 680.260 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(4) A receiver performing the functions of a receiver.
(5) A trustee in bankruptcy performing the duties of a trustee.
(6) An assignee for the benefit of creditors performing the functions of an assignee.
(c) A person, validly identified, who has been issued a valid hunting license that is unexpired or that was issued for the hunting season immediately preceding the calendar year in which the person takes title or possession of a firearm is exempt from the firearm safety certificate requirement in subdivision (a) of Section 31615, except as to handguns.
(d) This section shall become operative on January 1, 2015.

SEC. 11.

 Section 32010 of the Penal Code is amended to read:

32010.
 (a) Any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person manufactured in this state, imported into the state for sale, kept for sale, or offered or exposed for sale, shall be tested within a reasonable period of time by an independent laboratory certified pursuant to subdivision (b) to determine whether that pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person meets or exceeds the standards defined in Section 31910.
(b) On or before October 1, 2000, the Department of Justice shall certify laboratories to verify compliance with the standards defined in Section 31910. The department may charge a fee to certify a laboratory to test any pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person pursuant to Sections 31900 to 32110, inclusive. The fee shall not exceed the costs of certification.
(c) The certified testing laboratory shall, at the manufacturer’s or importer’s expense, test the firearm and submit a copy of the final test report directly to the Department of Justice along with a prototype of the weapon to be retained by the department. The department shall notify the manufacturer or importer of its receipt of the final test report and the department’s determination as to whether the firearm tested may be sold in this state.
(d) (1) Commencing January 1, 2006, no center-fire semiautomatic pistol may be submitted for testing pursuant to Sections 31900 to 32110, inclusive, if it does not have either a chamber load indicator, or a magazine disconnect mechanism if it has a detachable magazine.
(2) Commencing January 1, 2007, no center-fire semiautomatic pistol may be submitted for testing pursuant to Sections 31900 to 32110, inclusive, if it does not have both a chamber load indicator and a magazine disconnect mechanism.
(3) Commencing January 1, 2006, no rimfire semiautomatic pistol may be submitted for testing pursuant to Sections 31900 to 32110, inclusive, if it has a detachable magazine, and does not have a magazine disconnect mechanism.

SEC. 12.

 If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.