The Justice Department has threatened to sue California if officials enforce a new handgun law scheduled to restrict dealer sales of Glock-style pistols on July 1, escalating a Second Amendment fight days before the rule takes effect.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon sent the warning to Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta on Wednesday, June 24. The letter gave state officials a Tuesday deadline for negotiations before the department moves ahead with a federal lawsuit.
Federal Officials Challenge The Ban
Dhillon’s letter says California residents have a constitutional right to buy and use modern handguns for self-defense. The department argues the state law violates the Second Amendment by blocking access to commonly used firearms through licensed dealers.
California Law Targets Dealer Sales
The measure says that, starting July 1, 2026, a licensed dealer may not sell, offer, exchange, give, transfer, or deliver any semiautomatic machinegun convertible pistol. State bill materials say the dealer sales restriction begins on that date.
Newsom Signed The Measure
Newsom signed AB 1127 as part of a larger package of bills announced in Sacramento. The signing notice listed AB 1127 by Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, a Democrat from Encino, as a bill dealing with firearms and conversion pistols.
The measure was chaptered by the Secretary of State as Chapter 572 of the 2025 statutes. Its current status is listed as passed, and the bill became state law after the October signing.
Penalties Build For Dealers
The law creates escalating penalties for licensed dealers who violate the restriction. A first violation can bring a fine. A second violation can bring a larger fine and possible license consequences. A third violation can be charged as a misdemeanor and can lead to license revocation.
Supporters Point To Illegal Conversions
Supporters argue the law addresses a design issue that allows some pistols to accept illegal conversion devices. They say the state is trying to prevent automatic-fire capability before a weapon is used in a crime.
Fully automatic weapons already face major restrictions under state and federal law. Federal law makes it unlawful for most people to transfer or possess a machine gun made after May 19, 1986, with limited exceptions.
Gun Rights Groups Sue
A lawsuit filed after Newsom signed the bill challenges the law on Second Amendment grounds. The plaintiffs include national gun rights groups, a firearms business, and individual gun owners.
Other States Move Similar Bills
Connecticut’s law bans the sale and importation of handguns that can easily be converted into fully automatic machine guns. The state said the ban on the sale and importation of conversion devices is in response to a rise in their use.
Court Fight Could Start Soon
AB 1127 remains scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026. Licensed firearms dealers, gun rights groups, and state officials are now watching whether the dispute moves from letters to federal court.
