SB 295

Under current law, a firearms dealer must request the Department of Justice

(DOJ) to perform a firearms restrictions record search on a person seeking to

purchase a handgun before the dealer may complete the sale. DOJ must promulgate

rules for firearms restrictions record searches including a procedure that permits a

firearms dealer to use a toll-free telephone number to convey to DOJ the information

the purchaser provides on a form such as his or her name, date of birth, and other

identification information that permits DOJ to perform an accurate firearms

restrictions record search. The dealer must mail a duplicate copy of the form to DOJ

so that, if DOJ found nothing in the original search that indicated the person was

prohibited from possessing a firearm, DOJ may check the information on the

duplicate form against the information DOJ recorded from the telephone call to

ensure that nothing on the duplicate form indicates the purchaser is prohibited from

possessing a firearm.

Under this bill, the rules DOJ promulgates may allow an alternative means, in

addition to the toll-free number provided by DOJ, for a firearms dealer to convey to

DOJ the information necessary for a firearms restrictions record search. If the dealer

uses the alternative means, the dealer must transmit the notification form to DOJ

using a means DOJ provides. This bill also requires DOJ to check the information

transmitted against the information DOJ used to conduct the firearms restrictions

record search to ensure that nothing in the transmitted information indicates that

the purchaser is prohibited from possessing a firearm.