California AB 1974 authorizes local law enforcement to create volun…

Where This Stands

Currently Unknown. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Introduced.

Last action

Referred to Com. on PUB. S.May 6, 2026

Version history & redline

5 versions on file

Official version history is partial: 5 linked texts are unavailable or incomplete. Source links remain available below.

Comparing 04/09/26 - Amended Assembly → 05/28/26 - Amended Senate

removed addedOfficial text

The text diff for this stage has not been computed yet.

pdf extract failed: Invalid PDF structure.

Redline computed from the official version text (record lane).View this version →

The Frame

What this does

The bill provides a legal framework for residents to temporarily store firearms with police to mitigate risks of violence or suicide, while exempting these voluntary transfers from standard firearm carry and transfer regulations.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

local law enforcement agencies

Agencies are authorized to create and manage voluntary storage programs and must follow specific procedures for intake, database checks, and destruction of uncollected firearms.

firearm owners

Owners may voluntarily transfer custody of their firearms to local law enforcement for temporary safekeeping.

What changed

Last recorded activity August 30, 2026.

What's next

Introduced.

Summary

This bill allows local law enforcement agencies to establish voluntary programs where individuals can temporarily transfer of their firearms for safekeeping to prevent violence or injury. Agencies that adopt these programs must provide clear procedures for firearm transfer and retrieval, and they are authorized to destroy firearms that are not collected within a specified timeframe.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Why It Matters

The bill provides a legal framework for residents to temporarily store firearms with police to mitigate risks of violence or suicide, while exempting these voluntary transfers from standard firearm carry and transfer regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get my firearm back after I voluntarily store it with the police?

Yes, the bill requires agencies to provide clear instructions on the process for requesting the return of the firearm, provided the owner is eligible to possess it.

What happens if I forget to pick up my firearm?

The law requires the law enforcement agency to destroy the firearm if it is not retrieved within the time period specified by the agency.

News Coverage

No news coverage found yet. Articles are indexed twice daily.

Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Expansion of Law Enforcement Role

The bill shifts the role of law enforcement from strictly regulatory/custodial to providing a voluntary public service for firearm storage.

local law enforcement agency

Connected Entities

organizationDepartment of Justice“Responsible for determining firearm eligibility for individuals seeking return o”Map →

otherAutomated Firearms System“Database used to verify firearm ownership and status.”Map →

Sources

Open source document

openstates.org

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance65
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy40
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment10
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz25
Current news / social attention level

California AB 1974 authorizes local law enforcement to create voluntary firearm storage programs