Discussion

New FSC rules are coming: 4-hour class + live-fire exam (SB 948)

The biggest change in the new bill package is SB 948, which rewrites how you get a Firearm Safety Certificate. Today, the FSC is a written test you take at the dealer. Under SB 948, a future FSC will require a four-hour safety class and a live-fire shooting exam before you can purchase a firearm. The new requirements take effect in January 2029. Separately, starting January 2028, anyone moving to California from another state will need to obtain an FSC within 180 days of arriving or face a misdemeanor. What this means for you right now: nothing changes today. Your current FSC is valid and transfers work exactly as they have been. But if you've been putting off a purchase, it's worth knowing the training bar is going up substantially in a few years. Supporters call it consistent safety standards for the state; the NRA criticized it as placing the burden on law-abiding owners while doing nothing about crime. Either way, we'll keep you posted as the DOJ rolls out the class and exam requirements.