Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 gun safety measures into law on September 26, 2026. One of the most important for dealers and buyers is Senate Bill 948, which changes California’s Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) rules on a delayed timeline.
What SB 948 changes
Two dates matter:
Beginning in 2028: People who move into California with firearms generally must obtain a valid FSC (or qualify for an exemption) within 180 days of becoming a resident.
Beginning in 2029: New FSC applicants must complete a firearm safety course of at least 4 hours, including live-fire exercises on a range, before getting the certificate.
That does not mean every Californian who already owns a firearm is suddenly required to take a 4-hour class. The training expansion is tied to new FSC applicants and the new-resident timeline above. It is not a blanket mandate on all existing owners overnight.
The broader 10-bill package also touches prohibited possessors, firearm surrender procedures, voluntary storage, firearm-tracing access, and 3D-printed firearms. Implementation dates differ by bill, so dealers should track each one separately.
What FFL dealers should tell buyers
Tell buyers: FSC rules change in 2028 for new residents and in 2029 for new certificates. Existing owners aren’t auto-required into a 4-hour class.
Dealers serving California customers should update staff talking points now, watch DOJ guidance as it rolls out, and keep transfers aligned with current FSC rules until each effective date hits.
For the latest California firearms regulation updates that affect FFL operations, keep following our compliance coverage.
