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Californians can sue gun dealers, collect $10,000

July 26, 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom

By JOSH FRIEDMAN

California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed a bill modeled after a Texas abortion law that will allow Californians to sue those who make, sell, transport or distribute guns that are illegal in the Golden State — and to collect up to $10,000 in damages for doing so.

After the U.S. Supreme Court in January ruled in favor of Texas’s ban on most abortion services, Newsom directed his administration to work with the California Legislature to draft a bill that would allow private citizens to sue anyone who manufactures, distributes, transports, imports into the state or sells assault weapons, .50 BMG rifles, ghost guns or ghost gun kits. Sen. Robert Hertzberg (D-Van Nuys) introduced the legislation, SB 1327, in February.

SB 1327 will allow Californians to sue anyone who manufactures assault weapons, firearms without serial numbers or .50 BMG rifles in California. Likewise, residents will be allowed to sue anyone who sells, transports or distributes such weapons, or the precursor parts to such firearms, in California.

“You cannot sell or manufacture illegal weapons of war in CA,” Newsom stated in a tweet. “And if you do, there are now 40 million people that can collect $10,000 from you for engaging in that illegal activity. We’re using Texas’ perverse abortion law to actually save lives.”

Newsom said in a video announcement that the law will save people’s lives by going after assault rifles, ghost guns and illegal guns and by creating a right of action for individuals to receive up to $10,000 for taking illegal firearms off the streets.

“This is a big deal,” Newsom said in the video. “We are challenging the status quo. We’re moving in a direction no other state has moved in terms of the gun safety movement broadly, not just with this legislation, and we feel a deep sense of responsibility to do so. It’s difficult in Washington, D.C. States now need to step up and meet this moment.”


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Seems logical, sensical and equitable that somebody harmed by a criminal marketing illegal firearms should be able to sue that criminal. Why not? Isn’t the right to sue those who harm us a fundamental part of our legal system?

I’m a firm supporter of the second amendment but I am not a gun nut. There are too many guns in our communities and communities with the most guns have the most gun killings. At least 100 people a day are shot in the United States. That is insane.


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The new law allows “almost anyone to sue” no harm or damages required.

Strange that every act listed is already a felony so why do we need this?

I suppose it’s a scheme to get people to turn in those possessing, selling, making or importing these guns. Then they can sue.

I wonder why the state didn’t offer $10,000 for information leading to the conviction of these violators. A modern – day bounty of sorts.


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The proliferation and marketing of illegal firearms harms the community as a whole as well as individuals. Those who don’t feel harmed by the proliferation and marketing of illegal firearms have the option not to sue. The proliferation and marketing of illegal firearms harms the quality of life for me and many others. It’s a law and order issue and not one that we should take lightly or be tolerant of. If this new law prevents people from being shot, or living in fear and trepidation that’s a good thing. Do you see a problem with this law? Feel free to explain.


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At least my gun will not sleep with my campaign manager’s wife…….


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