Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Friday that allows private citizens to sue anyone who manufactures, distributes, transports or imports assault weapons or ghost guns.
Under Senate Bill 1327, a citizen can sue for a minimum of $10,000 for each weapon, as well as attorney fees. Citizens also take legal action against gun dealers who illegally sell firearms to individuals under the age of 21.
The bill is modeled after a Texas law that allows private citizens to sue abortion providers or anyone who aids a pregnant person in obtaining an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.
Sen. Bob Hertzberg of Van Nuys released the following statement after Gov. Newsom signed the bill into law.
“For the sake of our children, this is a common-sense step toward ensuring California streets, schools and communities continue to be among the safest in the nation,” Hertzberg said. “If Texas is going to use this legal framework to essentially outlaw abortion and harm women, all with the Supreme Court’s blessing, California is going to use it to save lives and take AR15s off our streets.”
Gov. Newsom backed Hertzberg’s measure, which was joint-authored by Sen. Anthony Portantino of Burbank.
“I am very grateful to Gov. Newsom for signing SB 1327 and taking an important step forward to combat the gun violence epidemic in our country,” Portantino said. “In the wake of the continued possibility of mass shootings, it is a moral imperative that California leads on gun reform to keep our communities safe. SB 1327 continues our efforts and showcases our leadership.”