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Bill

AB 824

Protective orders: firearms and ammunition.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sabrina Cervantes and 1 co-sponsor

AB 824 authorizes California courts to order seizure and storage of firearms and ammunition from people subject to protective orders for domestic violence, stalking, or harassment.

In committee: Held under submission.
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Bill Summary · AB 824

Legislative bill overview

AB 824 expands California's existing protective order laws to include provisions for firearm and ammunition seizure and retention. The bill modifies procedures for domestic violence, stalking, and harassment protective orders to explicitly authorize courts to order removal and storage of firearms and ammunition from individuals subject to such orders.

Why is this important

Firearm removal during protective orders addresses a documented risk factor in domestic violence cases, where access to weapons significantly increases the likelihood of lethal outcomes. The bill attempts to bridge a gap where some protective orders existed but lacked clear mechanisms for enforcing firearm restrictions, potentially affecting thousands of Californians annually in domestic violence situations.

Potential points of contention

  • Second Amendment concerns: Critics argue that seizure procedures may not provide adequate due process protections or clear standards for when firearms must be returned, raising constitutional questions about property rights
  • Implementation and enforcement: Questions about which agencies store weapons, how long retention periods last, costs of storage programs, and whether local courts have adequate resources to administer these provisions
  • Scope and definitions: Debate over which types of protective orders trigger firearm restrictions and whether the bill's definitions of covered relationships are appropriately narrow or overly broad

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

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