Golden State Today

The California Department of Justice has released its 2024 Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) annual report, as announced by Attorney General Rob Bonta. The APPS database is designed to identify individuals who have legally obtained firearms but are later prohibited from possessing them due to various legal reasons such as felony convictions or restraining orders.

In 2024, the DOJ seized a total of 1,520 firearms from individuals illegally in possession. These included 812 handguns, 335 rifles, 164 shotguns, 62 assault weapons, 56 machine guns, 39 ghost guns, and 49 receivers or frames.

Attorney General Bonta stated, “I am incredibly proud of our Special Agents and their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the people of California. While they may not always be in the spotlight, their persistent efforts are crucial in preventing gun violence by taking illegal firearms off our streets.”

The Bureau of Firearms (BOF) within the DOJ's Division of Law Enforcement spearheads these efforts. The latest report includes an analysis of the APPS database and details on how BOF staff increased enforcement and collaborated with local law enforcement agencies.

Key statistics from the report show that the DOJ investigated and closed 8,501 cases and made contact with individuals 25,500 times—matching last year's record high. Additionally, they removed a record number of individuals from the APPS database after verifying disassociation from all known firearms.

The report also highlights several notable operations conducted throughout California. In Richmond in January 2024, agents seized numerous military-style machine guns and large quantities of ammunition from an individual under a Workplace Violence Restraining Order. In Clovis in October 2024, agents confiscated multiple firearms following a search related to a felony conviction for insurance fraud. In Fresno in November 2024, collaboration with local police led to seizing weapons from an individual prohibited due to an outstanding felony warrant.

The Bureau of Firearms continues its mission through education and regulation concerning firearm safety and ownership while seeking additional Special Agents to bolster its efforts.

A copy of the full report is available online for public access.