SB1203 (2026): Private Security Firearm Discharge Reporting

What the Law Does

Beginning January 1, 2029, Senate Bill 1203 requires existing private security firearm-discharge and physical-altercation reports to include the apparent race and gender of the member of the public and whether the security officer had received all required training at the time of the incident^[1]. California's private security industry is regulated by the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS) under the Private Security Services Act (Business and Professions Code section 7580 and following). Armed security guards must obtain a firearms qualification (Firearm Permit) in addition to their Guard Card, which requires completing a firearms training course and passing a background check through the Department of Justice.

Private security guards and their employers already must report firearm discharges to the Director of Consumer Affairs within seven business days under Business and Professions Code section 7583.2(f). SB1203 adds demographic and training information to those reports beginning January 1, 2029^[2].

Current Status

SB1203 passed the Senate on May 27, 2026 and moved to the Assembly. It advanced through three Assembly policy committee votes in June, most recently passing the Public Safety Committee 5-2 on June 30, and was re-referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on July 1, 2026. Those Assembly policy committee votes included an 11-4 vote and two 5-2 votes. The Governor approved SB1203 on September 30, 2026, and it was chaptered as Chapter 1016, Statutes of 2026. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, with its reporting changes operative January 1, 2029.

Reporting Changes Beginning in 2029

The private security industry in California is significant. The state has more armed private security guards than sworn law enforcement officers. The reporting duty covers any firearm discharge while acting within the course and scope of employment, and reports go to the Director of Consumer Affairs. Beginning January 1, 2029, qualifying physical altercations also include those in which a security officer requires first aid or other medical attention. Beginning January 1, 2029, BSIS must also release an annual report containing county-level data on reported firearm discharges and physical altercations.