Golden State Today

The California Department of Justice (DOJ) released the 2023 Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) annual program report, revealing key statistics and accomplishments from the past year.

Attorney General Rob Bonta highlighted the success of the program, stating, "I take great pride in the efforts of our Special Agents as they work diligently to protect and serve the citizens of California. These courageous individuals are saving lives." Bonta emphasized the importance of removing illegally possessed firearms from communities to prevent incidents of gun violence.

The 2023 report showed that DOJ seized a total of 1,443 firearms through the APPS program, which included 683 handguns, 364 rifles, 216 shotguns, 39 assault weapons, 88 ghost guns, 51 receivers or frames, and 2 short-barreled shotguns. Bonta commended the efforts of the agents in recovering these weapons from individuals who were prohibited from possessing them.

In addition, the report highlighted that in 2023, more individuals were removed from the prohibited list than added, with 9,051 people removed and 8,633 added. The number of contacts made by DOJ increased to approximately 25,500, the highest since the inception of the APPS program.

One focus of the APPS enforcement efforts is recovering firearms from individuals who are illegally armed in violation of court restraining orders. In 2023, over 50% of those disarmed due to APPS efforts were prohibited, at least in part, due to a restraining order, demonstrating the program's crucial role in protecting victims of domestic violence and workplace violence.

The report also revealed an increase in the seizure of ghost guns, with 88 seized in 2023, a 63% increase compared to the previous year. The APPS operations involved collaborations with local law enforcement agencies throughout the state, leading to successful operations such as those in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and San Luis Obispo County.

The Bureau of Firearms (BOF) within the California DOJ plays a key role in the enforcement of the APPS program. BOF focuses on education, regulation, and enforcement actions regarding the manufacture, sale, ownership, and transfer of firearms and ammunition in California. The department is currently looking to hire additional Special Agents to support its efforts.

The release of the 2023 APPS annual report underscores the continued commitment of the California DOJ to uphold public safety and protect communities from the threat of gun violence.