AB 1753 and SB 948 enrolled: two gun bills awaiting the Governor’s signature

AB 1753 and SB 948 each passed both chambers and are enrolled, now waiting on the Governor. AB 1753 would require people under a restraining order to turn in ammunition along with firearms. SB 948 would extend the window for people importing a handgun into California by personal import to report it to the DOJ from 60 to 180 days, and add a four-hour training requirement for firearm safety certificate tests starting in 2029.

Sources checked September 18, 2026. Educational information only, not legal advice.

What changed	Two gun bills enrolled and presented to the Governor in September 2026.
Effective	Not yet signed. AB 1753 provisions for remote hearings in court would start January 1, 2028 if signed; SB 948 training requirement would start January 1, 2029.
Applies to	AB 1753: people subject to civil restraining orders. SB 948: people personally importing a handgun into California, and future firearm safety certificate test-takers.
Statutory basis	AB 1753 (Stefani), enrolled September 1, 2026. SB 948 (Arreguín), enrolled August 27, 2026.

What happened

Two gun bills advanced to the Governor’s desk at the close of the 2025–26 California legislative session. Both remain in the enrollment queue as of September 18, 2026. The Governor has 12 business days to sign or veto each bill after it is presented, and the legislature is currently in recess, so the action window is compressed.

AB 1753 (Assembly Member Stefani, enrolled September 1, 2026) amends and adds to the Civil Code, Family Code, and Penal Code. The key change: when a court issues a civil harassment, domestic violence, elder or dependent adult abuse, postsecondary school, workplace violence, or gun violence restraining order, the restrained person must now relinquish not just firearms but ammunition in their immediate possession or control. The bill also requires district attorneys and prosecuting city attorneys to search the California DOJ Automated Firearms System on any charge involving domestic violence, and authorizes courts to order pre-hearing searches before issuing certain types of protective orders. Commencing January 1, 2028 (if signed), the bill would require courts to allow remote appearances in postsecondary and workplace violence restraining order hearings and to develop rules for electronic filings.

SB 948 (Senator Arreguin, enrolled August 27, 2026) amends Penal Code Sections 27560, 28235, 31615, and adds Section 31640.5. It extends the reporting window for personal firearm importers from 60 days to 180 days to report a personally imported handgun to the California DOJ. Commencing January 1, 2028, a personal importer must certify under penalty of perjury that they hold a valid firearm safety certificate or an applicable exemption. Commencing January 1, 2029, a firearm safety certificate applicant must complete a training course of at least four hours, including live-fire shooting on a range, within the prior year.

What it means for you

Neither bill is law yet. They need the Governor’s signature. If signed, the provisions take effect on January 1, 2027 for AB 1753’s core ammunition-relinquishment language (as the bill is non-urgent, the constitutional default is that it takes effect 60 days after the Governor’s action or on January 1, 2027, whichever is later — but the bill itself specifies January 1, 2028 for the remote hearing and electronic filing provisions and SB 948 specifies January 1, 2029 for its training requirement). Until then, no new legal duty is created.

For people with protective or restraining orders: check the order’s terms. For people who import handguns into California: the 60-day reporting window remains in effect until any signed bill’s provisions begin. For people considering a firearm safety certificate: the current test, without a mandated four-hour training course, remains in effect until the January 1, 2029 provisions take effect — and only if the Governor signs SB 948.

The official source