California lawmakers passed legislation on Thursday to impose a new tax on the sale of firearms and ammunition to help fund gun violence prevention programs and education programs, a victory for Democrats after years of failing to pass similar laws. implement measures.

The legislation, Assembly Bill 28, would impose an 11% tax on dealers and manufacturers for the sale of guns and ammunition, and is one of a small number of major gun control measures still under consideration by the legislature this year. It is the first time that Democrats have successfully sent a proposal for a gun tax to the governor.

While Governor Gavin Newsom has rejected or expressed opposition to the imposition of new taxes. He has also incorporated dozens of gun control measures into law. And after several mass shootings at schools across the country and two high-profile massacres in Half Moon Bay and Monterey Park sparked new outrage from lawyers this year, lawmakers are under pressure to strengthen gun control in California, even as new laws come under legal scrutiny. scrutinized and often rejected by the courts for being unconstitutional.

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Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel, an Encino Democrat and author of the bill, estimates that the bill could generate about $160 million annually for violence prevention, school safety programs and victim support services.

Gabriel said the funding for the programs included in this year’s bill helped convince a handful of his more moderate Democratic colleagues to support the measure and ensure it landed on Newsom’s desk, despite the political risks associated with voting for tax increases.

“People can really feel comfortable that we’re spending money in ways that will advance the fight against gun violence,” said Gabriel, who also chairs the Legislature’s Gun Violence Prevention Working Group.

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If signed into law by the governor, the bill would set aside $75 million for city and community gun violence prevention programs, $50 million for school safety, and also add millions in new funding for law enforcement to remove firearms from those convicted of domestic violence. violence or who are subject to restraining orders. A small amount would also be earmarked for counseling and trauma services for victims of mass shootings and gun violence.

“Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in the United States,” said Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank). “Ending that has to be based on both sides. We have to be on the right side of history.”

The bill narrowly eliminated the two-thirds vote requirement in both houses of the legislature needed to raise taxes. The Senate passed it by a vote of 27 to 9 and the General Assembly by a vote of 54 to 17, with Republicans opposing and several Democrats withholding their votes. Gun rights groups, along with conservation, wetlands and conservation organizations, opposed AB 28.

“It’s ineffective. It won’t do anything to curb gun violence. It won’t get illegal guns off the streets,” Senator Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) said during a Senate debate.

Senator Bill Dodd, a Napa Democrat who did not vote for the bill, said his more rural district had tens of thousands of licensed gun owners “whose voices have not been heard” and who he believes will ultimately bear the tax burden.

“I wholeheartedly support these programs. They must be funded,” Dodd said. “I think we have to be careful about how we fund them and who we target.”

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If signed, the new tax would go into effect on July 1, 2024.