Portantino Bill Strengthening Conceal Carry Laws Heads to Governor’s Desk

For Immediate Release: September 12, 2023

Contact: Lerna Shirinian, (818) 409-0400

Portantino Bill Strengthening Conceal Carry Laws Heads to Governor’s Desk

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 2, authored by Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Burbank), passed the Senate and is headed to the Governor’s desk. The bill would implement significant improvements to strengthen California’s existing concealed-carry weapon (CCW) laws. SB 2 is sponsored by Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta - all of whom have worked collaboratively to craft California’s response to the recent Supreme Court ruling that made it easier for citizens to acquire CCWs. 

“I am proud to have partnered with Governor Newsom, Attorney General Bonta, and amazing grassroots activists across California on SB 2 to strengthen our existing concealed carry laws and to ensure that Californians are safe from gun violence,” stated Senator Portantino. “This measure is constitutional and consistent with the Supreme Court’s guidance in Bruen. I look forward to Governor’s signature on this important measure and thank him for his bold leadership on gun safety.”

Specifically, SB 2 strengthens state gun safety by:

• Ensuring those carrying firearms in public are responsible, law-abiding citizens who do not pose a danger to themselves or others;
• Protecting children and young adults from gun violence by setting a minimum age requirement of 21 years of age to obtain a CCW license.

“There’s a reason why you’re far less likely to die from bullets in California,” said Governor Newsom. “We’re using every tool we can to make our streets and neighborhoods safer from gun violence.”

In addition, provisions in SB 2:

• Advance safety through stronger storage and training requirements on the proper handling, loading, unloading, and storage of firearms;
• Safeguard the public by identifying certain sensitive public places where guns may not be carried;
• Include due process protections to allow anyone denied a CCW license based on a finding that they are not qualified to carry firearms in public to a hearing before a superior court judge.

“Addressing gun violence is critical to protecting public safety,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “Thoughts and prayers in response to gun violence will never be enough: We need courageous action by our leaders — here in California and beyond. I sponsored Senate Bill 2 to provide stronger protections for our communities, and am grateful for the leadership demonstrated by our legislature in moving this bill forward. Senate Bill 2 will strengthen our concealed carry permit laws to help ensure that dangerous individuals may not carry guns in public — especially in sensitive places where our children gather — and prevent the horrific tragedies that we have seen far too often. I thank Senator Portantino and our state leaders for getting this bill on the Governor’s desk, and for our joint efforts to enact commonsense constitutional laws that protect Californians.”

“The Supreme Court’s Bruen decision was an affront to gun safety and opened the floodgates for reckless concealed carry. Even with the Golden State’s strong concealed carry license system, new guardrails are required to prevent this life-saving apparatus from crumbling. SB 2 is critical for updating and improving California’s concealed carry system to ensure loaded and concealed weapons are not allowed in sensitive places – like schools or health care facilities – prioritizing health and safety for all. Brady thanks and applauds Senator Portantino for introducing this important legislation,” stated Kris Brown, President of Brady.

“Whether walking to the neighborhood playground or stopping by a local business, Californians deserve the peace of mind that these settings remain free from the presence of firearms,” said Lisa Henry, volunteer with the California chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We thank our gun sense champions in the Assembly, and Senator Portantino whose steadfast commitment to gun safety has gotten us to this moment today. We look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom to turn this bill into law.”

Senator Portantino has long been a champion of common-sense gun reform policies. During his time in the Assembly, he successfully authorized local governments to prohibit the open carry of handguns and rifles in certain areas and as Senator, he raised the firearm purchase age in California to twenty-one. The Senator has authored legislation related to firearms storage and gun purchase safeguards, as well as a legislation that reduces the number of firearms an unlicensed individual is annually able to sell and the frequency with which they are able to sell. Most recently, he authored legislation aimed at preventing tragic schools shootings and a major gun reform measure that offers a new tool to combat the rise in gun violence and save lives – a private right of action.

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