Firearms: identifying information.

(1) Existing law authorizes the Department of Justice to assign a distinguishing number or mark of identification to any firearm whenever the firearm lacks a manufacturer's number or other mark of identification, or whenever the manufacturer's number or other mark of identification or distinguishing number or mark assigned by the department has been destroyed or obliterated. This bill would, commencing July 1, 2016, require a person who manufactures or assembles a firearm to first apply to the department for a unique serial number or other identifying mark, as provided. The bill would, by January 1, 2017, require any person who, as of July 1, 2016, owns a firearm that does not bear a serial number to likewise apply to the department for a unique serial number or other mark of identification. The bill would prohibit the sale or transfer of ownership of a firearm manufactured or assembled pursuant to these provisions. The bill would prohibit a person from aiding in the manufacture or assembly of a firearm by a person who is prohibited from possessing a firearm. The bill would make a violation of these provisions a misdemeanor. By creating a new crime, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The bill would require the department to issue a serial number or other identifying mark to an applicant meeting specified criteria and would allow the department to charge a fee to recover its costs associated with assigning a distinguishing number or mark pursuant to the above provisions. (2) Existing law allows an individual to request that the Department of Justice perform a firearms eligibility check for that individual. Existing law makes it a misdemeanor for a person or agency to require or request an individual to obtain a firearms eligibility check. This bill would require a person to complete a firearms eligibility check before the department may grant an application for the assignment of a serial number or mark of identification. The bill would exempt this provision from the above prohibition on requiring or requesting an individual to obtain a firearms eligibility check. (3) This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 11106 of the Penal Code proposed by AB 1609 and SB 53 that would become operative if this bill and either or both of those bills are enacted and this bill is enacted last. This bill would incorporate additional changes to Section 16520 of the Penal Code proposed by AB 1609 that would become operative if this bill and AB 1609 are both enacted and this bill is enacted last. 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.