California Governor Gavin Newsom Signs New Gun Safety and Worship Security Bills

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 gun-safety laws aimed at strengthening firearm storage, background checks, surrender and reporting procedures, improving access to trace data, addressing 3D-printed and illegally modified guns, and expanding behavioral-health support for young people exposed to gun violence. Separately, he signed the Safe Worship Zone Act, which restricts certain protesting, harassment and obstruction near entrances to houses of worship, and a law expanding state security grants to eligible nonprofits’ offsite events, including religious and cultural gatherings. Supporters say the measures strengthen violence prevention and help communities safely access worship and public events.
Two measures in the gun-safety package add specific tools: AB 1974 lets local law-enforcement agencies create voluntary firearm-storage programs, while AB 2047 requires consumer 3D printers sold in California to include technology designed to detect and block attempts to print firearms or illegal firearm components.
California’s Reduce the Risk campaign, launched in 2025, has conducted more than 130 trainings and connected residents with more than 700 resources related to the state’s nine violence-prevention protection orders. The state also created an interactive Local Resource Connector to help people find courts, support services and community organizations.
The Safe Worship Zone Act bars a person within 100 feet of a religious facility from intentionally approaching someone within eight feet of an entrance or exit, without consent, to distribute literature, display a sign or engage in protest or education, as well as to harass, obstruct, threaten or intimidate them.
Security grants for eligible nonprofits’ offsite events are capped at $25,000. Jewish California CEO David Bocarsly said the grants address the costs of securing public gatherings, including religious holidays in parks, festivals and parades.
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