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AB-1589 • 2026

Firearms: silencers.

Firearms: silencers.

Crime Firearms
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Chen
Last action
2026-03-05
Official status
Read second time. Ordered to third reading.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source does not provide details about the regulation of silencers for reserve peace officers.

Firearms: Silencers

AB-1589 changes California law to allow certain reserve police officers to possess silencers.

What This Bill Does

  • Makes it legal for level I reserve peace officers to have silencers in California.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Level I reserve peace officers

Terms To Know

Silencer
A device that reduces the noise of a gun when it is fired.
Peace Officer
A person, like a police officer or sheriff's deputy, who enforces laws and maintains public safety.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify how silencers will be regulated for reserve peace officers.
  • The bill has passed the legislature but it is unclear if the governor will sign it into law.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-05 California Legislative Information

    Read second time. Ordered to third reading.

  2. 2026-03-04 California Legislative Information

    From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (March 3).

  3. 2026-02-02 California Legislative Information

    Referred to Com. on PUB. S.

  4. 2026-01-16 California Legislative Information

    From printer. May be heard in committee February 15.

  5. 2026-01-15 California Legislative Information

    Read first time. To print.

Official Summary Text

AB 1589, as introduced, Chen.
Firearms: silencers.
Existing law makes it a felony for any person, firm, or corporation to possess a silencer within this state. Existing law exempts specified actions from those provisions, including the possession of silencers by specified peace officers employed by specified law enforcement agencies or by military or naval forces, when on duty and when the use of silencers is authorized by the agency and is within the course and scope of their duties.
This bill would further exempt from the prohibition on possessing silencers specified level I reserve peace officers.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Download Bill PDF