SB948 (2026): Amendments to Firearm Safety Certificate Requirements

What the Bill Would Do

Senate Bill 948 proposes amendments to California's Firearm Safety Certificate (FSC) program, which is governed by Penal Code sections 31610-31700^[1]. Since January 1, 2015, California has required all firearm purchasers to possess a valid FSC, which is obtained by passing a written test administered by a DOJ-certified instructor at a licensed firearms dealer. The FSC replaced the former Handgun Safety Certificate (HSC), which applied only to handgun purchases. The certificate costs $25 and is valid for five years.

SB948 was amended in committee and passed the Senate Public Safety Committee on a 5-1 vote on March 17, 2026^[2]. The fact that the bill was amended as part of the committee process suggests substantive changes were negotiated before passage. The bill has been re-referred to the Appropriations Committee.

Current Status

Passed Senate Committee on Public Safety as amended (5-1) on March 17, 2026. Re-referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee amendments should be reviewed for any substantive changes to the FSC program.

What to Watch

The FSC program affects every firearm purchase in the state, so any changes to testing requirements, fees, validity periods, or exemptions will have broad impact. Current exemptions include active and retired law enforcement (PC 31700), licensed hunters (PC 31700(b)), and military personnel (PC 31700(c)). Whether SB948 modifies these exemptions, changes the test content, or adjusts the fee structure will determine its practical impact on the approximately 1.2 million firearms transactions processed annually in California.