Firearms.

Existing law generally regulates the transfer of firearms and provides for retaining specified information regarding firearm transfers by the Department of Justice. Existing law establishes different requirements regarding reportable information for handguns and firearms that are not handguns. Under existing law, the Department of Justice requires firearms dealers to keep a register or record of electronic or telephonic transfers of information pertaining to firearms transactions, as specified. Existing law exempts from these requirements certain transactions involving firearms that are not handguns. This bill would conform those provisions so that the transfers and information reporting and retention requirements for handguns and firearms other than handguns are the same. This bill would provide that those exemptions become inoperative on January 1, 2014. Existing law, subject to specified exceptions, prohibits peace officers, Department of Justice employees, and the Attorney General from retaining or compiling certain information relating to transactions regarding firearms that are not handguns, as specified. A violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor. This bill would provide that those provisions are repealed on January 1, 2014, and thereafter would require those peace officers to retain and compile information regarding firearms that are not handguns, as specified. Existing law requires a personal handgun importer to report certain information relative to bringing a handgun into the state, as specified. Violation of these provisions is a misdemeanor. This bill would, commencing January 1, 2014, apply these reporting requirements instead to a "personal firearm importer," as defined, and would expand the reporting requirements to apply to the importation of firearms that are not handguns. The bill would further prohibit a personal firearm importer from importing a firearm that is a .50 BMG rifle or a destructive device. By expanding these provisions, the violation of which is a crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. This bill would incorporate changes to Section 27590 of the Penal Code made by AB 109, which is chaptered but not yet operative. The bill would make additional conforming changes and would make additional technical, nonsubstantive changes. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.