Newsom signed a bill into law Tuesday that will tax the gun industry to create a permanent funding source for school safety and gun violence prevention programs in California.

On Tuesday, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 28 (AB 28) the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act, into law.

Authored by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel D-Encino, AB 28 will impose an 11 percent excise tax on the sale of guns and ammunition by gun manufacturers and dealers and is expected to generate $160 million annually to fund school safety and violence prevention programs, including initiatives to prevent mass shootings, bolster firearm investigations and remove guns from domestic abusers, according to officials.

“AB 28 is based on a straightforward premise — that we should prioritize the safety of our kids over gun industry profits,” Gabriel said. “It’s shameful that gun manufacturers are reaping record profits at the same time that gun violence has become the leading cause of death for kids in the United States. AB 28 will generate $160 million annually to fund critical violence prevention and school safety programs that will save lives and protect communities across the State of California. I am deeply grateful to Governor Newsom for signing AB 28 and for his outstanding national leadership in addressing gun violence.”

AB 28 is a top national priority for the gun safety movement and was strongly supported by all of the major gun safety organizations, including Giffords, Moms Demand Action, Everytown, Brady and March for Our Lives.

“Thank you to Governor Gavin Newsom, Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel and thousands of community leaders across California for putting the safety of the people above the gun industry’s profits,” said Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “This example of bold and effective leadership will fund the courageous and lifesaving efforts of violence intervention workers, enhance the health and safety of California’s children, and bolster the enforcement of California’s gun laws by keeping guns out of the hands of prohibited people, including domestic abusers.”

Since AB 28 was introduced at the beginning of the current legislative session, the United States has experienced hundreds of mass shootings, including horrific incidents in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay.

With today’s signing by Governor Newsom, AB 28 will go into effect starting July 1, 2024.

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