Newsom Signed Bill for Voluntary Gun Storage
The new legislation establishes statewide protocols for police to offer temporary firearm storage during personal crises.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1974 into law, creating statewide guidelines for voluntary, temporary firearm storage by law enforcement. The legislation seeks to provide residents with a safe method to remove guns from their homes during periods of personal crisis.
Why it matters
The measure aims to prevent tragic gun violence in households by standardizing storage programs that were previously unavailable statewide. This policy was inspired by the death of nine-year-old Pierce Howard Hu.
Assembly Bill 1974 was officially signed into law on October 9, 2026, to govern temporary firearm storage. The mandate applies to police and sheriff's departments across California, filling a gap that previously lacked unified statewide regulation.
The players
Gavin Newsom
Gavin Newsom is the Governor of California who signed the legislation into law.
Pierce Howard Hu
Pierce Howard Hu was a nine-year-old whose death inspired the passage of this legislation.
San Francisco Police Department
The San Francisco Police Department is a local law enforcement agency that previously established a pilot voluntary firearm storage program.
The details
The law authorizes local agencies to offer voluntary storage at stations, allowing residents to temporarily relinquish weapons during times of crisis. This effort builds upon existing programs, such as one implemented by the San Francisco Police Department in October 2025.
Timeline
October 9, 2026: Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 1974 into law.
October 2025: The San Francisco Police Department implemented a voluntary firearm storage program.
Legal Context
Assembly Bill 1974 marks a significant shift in California's approach to firearm safety by formalizing temporary storage protocols statewide. The law follows the pattern set by individual local initiatives, such as the program pioneered by the San Francisco Police Department.
Residents across California can now access temporary, voluntary firearm storage through their local police or sheriff's stations during times of personal crisis. This law provides a formal, safe mechanism for households to remove firearms when experiencing difficult situations.
The takeaway
This legislation provides a concrete tool for families to mitigate risks during periods of acute personal distress. Individuals interested in this service should contact their local law enforcement agency to confirm current participation and intake protocols.
Further reading
For more information on state safety policies, see the Law Enforcement section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Gold Rush Cam.
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