California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Thursday banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, making the state the first in the nation to enact such a law as gun violence continues to plague the country.
The measure makes California the first state to outlaw assault weapons since a federal ban on them expired in 2004, according to Everytown for Gun Safety, an advocacy group that supports gun control legislation.
The bill, AB 1624, bans the sale, purchase, possession and manufacture of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines in the state. It also prohibits ghost guns, which are untraceable firearms that can be assembled from parts bought separately.
The law goes into effect immediately, but people who already own assault weapons will be allowed to keep them if they register them with the state by July 1, 2023. They will also be required to keep the weapons unloaded and locked in a safe storage device.
The new law is part of a package of gun control measures that Newsom signed into law on Thursday. The other measures include:
– AB 1425: Requires background checks for firearm transfers between private parties.
– AB 1525: Increases the penalty for illegally possessing a loaded firearm in public.
– AB 1608: Bans the sale of firearm precursor parts, such as ghost gun kits.
– SB 918: Creates a new crime for possessing a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Newsom said in a statement that the new laws will .
