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California governor signs historic law taxing guns and ammunition

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference on February 01, 2023 in Sacramento, California.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom during a February press conference in Sacramento, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed into law Tuesday a raft of gun-safety legislation, including doubling taxes in the state on guns and ammunition and prohibiting the carrying of firearms in most public places.

Why it matters: The legislation that will from July impose an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition sold by gun manufacturers and dealers in the state means California is the first in the U.S. to take such action to fund gun-safety programs, per a statement from gun control advocacy group Brady.