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California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 1344, allowing prosecutors in select counties to seek Gun Violence Restraining Orders (GVROs). Introduced by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and sponsored by Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko, the bill establishes a pilot program in Alameda, El Dorado, Santa Clara, and Ventura counties. This initiative aims to enhance community safety by enabling district attorneys to directly pursue GVROs, commonly known as red flag laws. These laws allow for the temporary removal of firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.
Currently, only family members or law enforcement can request GVROs, but the new measure positions prosecutors to play a direct role. The pilot program will run until January 1, 2032. According to KTLA, Nasarenko expressed that prosecutors are uniquely qualified to seek these orders to prevent gun violence.
The legislation also mandates annual reports starting in 2027, which will be submitted to the California Firearm Violence Research Center at UC Davis. These reports will track GVRO data and outcomes to guide future policy decisions.