The California Department of Justice has released its 2024 Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS) annual report. The APPS database identifies individuals who legally obtained firearms but became prohibited from possessing them due to various reasons, such as felony convictions or restraining orders. In 2024, the DOJ seized 1,520 firearms through the program, including handguns, rifles, shotguns, assault weapons, machine guns, ghost guns, and receivers or frames.
Attorney General Rob Bonta praised the efforts of Special Agents in preventing gun violence. "I am incredibly proud of our Special Agents and their unwavering dedication to safeguarding the people of California," said Bonta. He emphasized the importance of collaboration with state and local partners to address gun violence.
The Bureau of Firearms within the DOJ's Division of Law Enforcement leads these efforts. The report provides an analysis of enforcement activities and collaborations with local law enforcement agencies. Notable operations included significant seizures in Richmond, Clovis, and Fresno.
In Richmond, agents seized a large cache of military-style weapons and ammunition from an individual under a Workplace Violence Restraining Order. In Clovis, a search led to the confiscation of numerous firearms from a person convicted of insurance fraud. In Fresno, agents intervened after police responded to a call involving severe mental illness and found firearms in possession by someone with an outstanding felony warrant.
Overall statistics for 2024 include investigations into 8,501 cases and over 25,500 contacts made by Special Agents. The DOJ removed over 9,500 individuals from the APPS list due to verified disassociation from firearms.
The Bureau is committed to promoting responsible firearm use among Californians through education and regulation while continuing enforcement actions against illegal possession.
A full copy of the report is available online for further details on these operations and findings.