SB 248 (Rubio) – Opposition Letter

 

March 17, 2025 –

Dear Senator Rubio:

Gun Owners of California is writing to express our opposition to SB 248 which would require the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide information regarding firearms to purchasers after the transaction has been reported to the Department.

Current law mandates that any sale/transfer of a firearm must be processed through a licensed firearms dealer and this bill, in the case of a transfer, would require DOJ to spend both time and resources to mail a variety of information relevant to firearm ownership to the transferee. Given that California gun owners are among the most knowledgeable and law-abiding demographic in the state, a requirement to send any gun purchaser information regarding the risks associated with gun ownership is simply not necessitated.

In closing, this bill would put a strain on the already stressed Dealer Record of Sale Special Account.  Further, it opens the door for future regulations required to implement the bill’s very specific provisions. The bill is detailed in what is to be included in the letter to the transferee, so granting additional statutory authority to promulgate regulations is wholly unwarranted.

Our organization has a 40-year history of fighting for effective crime control and opposing ineffective gun control.  The safety of Californians is at the very foundation of our mission, and it has been our consistent goal to work toward common sense solutions regarding the issue of crime and firearm ownership; this can be done, however, without sacrificing our Constitutional rights and the ability of the law abiding to protect their families.  I would be more than pleased to discuss this at your convenience.

 

Respectfully,

 

 

Sam Paredes, Executive Director