Governor Newsom takes New Initiative to Protect Californians from Gun Violence

Governor Gavin Newsom today unveiled a new initiative to keep California schools and communities safer through a community-based awareness campaign to advocate Gun Violence Restraining Orders, popularly known as “red flag” laws, on National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

“Gun violence is an epidemic – too many Americans are forced to live in fear because of inaction,” said Governor Newsom. “In California, we are taking action with common sense gun safety measures that get guns out of our communities and keep people safe.”

Individuals who are at risk of injuring themselves or others might have their guns and ammo temporarily taken away under red flag regulations. They give loved ones or law enforcement the power to intervene and temporarily block a person in crisis from getting access to firearms.

From 2016 to 2020, California issued 3,007 Gun Violence Restraining Orders. The state issued 1,284 restraining orders in 2020, a 15-fold increase over the 85 granted in 2016.

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services will oversee this new $11 million, 18-month effort, which will focus on outreach and education about California’s red flag laws to areas most at risk of gun violence.

The following are some of the elements of the campaign:

  • $5 million in grants to local community-based domestic violence groups for community outreach.

  • $5 million for statewide outreach to communities most at risk of gun violence including education efforts, research and multilingual outreach.

  • $1 million for education and training for district attorneys and law enforcement groups.

Last year, the Violence Prevention Research Program at UC Davis Health issued a research demonstrating public support for Gun Violence Restraining Orders as well as the need for more public knowledge.

The effectiveness of red flag laws in reducing gun violence and death has been proved. These statutes can aid in the de-escalation of emergency circumstances. California is one of several states that is highlighting red flag laws as a common-sense strategy to help prevent gun violence.

“California has nation-leading gun safety laws,” said Mark Ghilarducci, Director of the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. “Education and outreach about how to utilize red flag laws are critical to their success. This campaign will focus on educating families and law enforcement on the tools they have at their disposal to prevent gun violence.”

California’s red flag law, enacted in 2014 in the aftermath of the Isla Vista Shooting, allows law enforcement officers and others to petition for a civil court order known as a Gun Violence Restraining Order to temporarily suspend a person’s access to firearms or ammunition if they are found to pose a significant risk to themselves or others by having legal access to firearms or ammunition.

Governor Newsom presented a fact sheet yesterday outlining California’s national lead in gun safety. President Joe Biden was also honored for his leadership on gun safety, and the Governor joined him in calling on Congress to pass gun safety legislation.