California - 2003 law press release from Senator Jack Scott

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Doug Stone
September 25, 2002 (916) 445-5976

CONSUMER-ORIENTED GUN SAFETY LOCK BILL SIGNED BY GOVERNOR
California Becomes First State in Nation to Have Trigger Lock Standards

SACRAMENTO-Consumer protection legislation by Senator Jack Scott (D-Burbank/Glendale/Pasadena) that guarantees that gun lock devices sold or distributed in California are safe and effective was signed by the Governor today. This new law becomes effective January 1, 2003.

Senate Bill (SB) 1670 makes it illegal to sell or distribute unsafe firearm locks that are not approved by the California Department of Justice (DOJ). Violations range from a civil fine of $500 to $5,000. If a licensed firearm dealer commits three violations within five years the dealer's license is permanently revoked.

"When sold as a stand-alone item, gun locks are not required to be safe or effective," said Senator Scott. "SB 1670 changes that equation by ensuring that gun locks sold in the marketplace are safe, secure and child proof. California law ensures that hearing aids, baby cribs and children's sleepwear are safe-and now it will also apply to gun locks."

SB 1670 builds on the Aroner-Scott-Hayden Firearms Safety Act of 1999 that required all new firearms to be accompanied by an approved locking device sold in California after January 1, 2002. Yet trigger locks sold separately have no such requirement.

"SB 1670 completes the circle by making all trigger locks-whether sold with a gun or by
themselves--tamper proof and less likely to cause another human tragedy that should have been prevented," said Scott.

"Too many parents are currently being deceived in thinking that the firearm locks they purchase are adequate. This new law will extend safety standards so as to keep unsuspecting firearm owners from purchasing locks that can easily be tampered with, allowing unauthorized access to their firearms by kids and criminals. We applaud Senator Scott and Governor Davis for being leaders in making America a safer county, " said Mark Chekal-Bain, Director of State Affairs for Americans for Gun Safety.

SB 1670 also requires that gun safes have a warning label if they do not meet DOJ safety standards.

SB 1670 has widespread support, including: Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence; California Organization of Police and Sheriffs (COPS); Million Mom March; California Department of Justice
Women Against Gun Violence; Americans for Gun Safety; Legal Community Against Gun Violence
Trauma Foundation; Coalition to Stop Gun Violence; Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.