I am writing to express my strong opposition to AB 1187, which would require anyone purchasing a gun in California to complete an 8-hour class - which includes time spent shooting at a range. This bill will create a de facto ban on the purchase of firearms and does not address the real issue at hand: the criminal misuse of guns. In 2023, FBI NICS data reports that Californians purchased over 1, 043,400 firearms. If future gun sales even remotely mirror this figure, how will the current number of instructors be able to accommodate literally hundreds of thousands of individuals for the 8-hours of training this bill requires? Given the extraordinary shortage of certified instructors, AB 1187 is tantamount to an actual ban on the ability of lawful, responsible individuals from buying a firearm. Further, there is no consideration of the availability – and accessibility of time at a gun range. Please take the target off the backs of lawful, responsible Californians. If someone has been the victim of an assault or repeated break-ins and wants to purchase a firearm for self-protection, they should be able to do so without extreme restrictions. If someone has been the victim of an assault or repeated break-ins and wants to purchase a firearm for self-protection, they should be able to do so without extreme restrictions and delays. This is especially important given that the U.S. Supreme Court has made it clear that law enforcement officers are under no legal obligation to protect us from harm. Plus, I highly doubt that gang members and other such criminals will be first in line to sign up for an 8-hour class on "firearms safety.” AB 1187 is an extraordinary violation of my rights as an American and I strongly encourage a NO vote.

I am writing to express my strong opposition to AB 1187 (Rodriguez), which requires anyone purchasing a firearm in California to complete an 8-hour class - which includes “live-fire” shooting at a range. This bill will have zero impact on the criminal misuse of guns because it focuses only on lawful, responsible citizens. Does anyone really believe that gang members and other such criminals will sign up for an 8-hour class on "firearms safety?” AB 1187 will create a tremendous chill on the purchase of firearms which unfortunately seems to be the goal. Millions of Californians have chosen to exercise this right, and in 2023 alone, FBI NICS data reports that Californians purchased over 1, 043,400 firearms. Understanding this fact, if future gun sales even remotely mirror this figure, how will the current number of instructors be able to accommodate literally hundreds of thousands of individuals for the 8-hours of training your bill requires? Currently, California has an enormous shortage of certified instructors, so AB 1187 is nothing more than a huge obstacle designed to keep lawful, responsible individuals from buying a firearm. If someone has been the victim of an assault or repeated break-ins and wants to purchase a firearm for self-protection, they should be able to do so without restrictions and delays – this is immensely important given that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled law enforcement is under no legal obligation to protect us from harm. For these reasons, I stand with Gun Owners of California and oppose AB 1187.