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Bill

Bill

SB 320

Firearms: California Do Not Sell List.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Monique Limón and 1 co-sponsor

California establishes state "Do Not Sell" firearms list requiring dealers to screen buyers, expanding gun purchase restrictions beyond federal background checks.

May 23 hearing: Held in committee and under submission.
#californiadonotselllist #firearms
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 320

Legislative bill overview

SB 320 establishes a "California Do Not Sell List" for firearms, creating a mechanism to prevent certain individuals from purchasing guns through licensed dealers. The bill would require firearm retailers to cross-reference buyer information against this state-maintained list before completing sales. This represents California's expansion of existing background check systems to include an additional state-level screening database.

Why is this important

The bill addresses gaps in federal background check systems by creating a state-specific tool to identify prohibited purchasers. It affects both gun retailers' compliance obligations and the potential pool of individuals prevented from firearm purchases, making it relevant to ongoing debates over firearm access regulations in California.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition of "prohibited persons": The specific criteria determining who gets added to the list—whether it includes individuals with certain convictions, restraining orders, mental health determinations, or other factors—will likely generate debate about due process and fairness
  • Administrative burden on retailers: Gun dealers must integrate another compliance layer into their sales process, raising costs and operational complexity concerns
  • Effectiveness and false positives: Questions about whether a state list meaningfully improves upon federal background checks or creates barriers for law-abiding citizens with similar names/identifying information

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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