L.A. Care CEO Urges California Legislature to Pass Several Gun Safety Bills to Help Address a Public Health Crisis

Gun violence is a public health crisis and the CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan, the largest publicly operated health plan in the country with more than 2.5 million members, says the California Legislature must act now on measures that could help address the emergency. This morning, John Baackes sent a letter to state lawmakers asking them to vote in favor of a package of gun safety bills currently before the lawmakers.

In the wake of horrific mass shootings recently in Buffalo, Laguna Woods, Uvalde, and Tulsa, the Board of Governors of L.A. Care unanimously approved a resolution on gun safety legislation. The resolution specifically calls on Congress to ban military-style automatic weapons and high capacity magazines. It also calls for universal background checks on all gun sales and more funding for mental health.

Baackes’ letter to state lawmakers about seven bills they are considering is an extension of that resolution.

The bills are:
AB 2156 – expands prohibitions on the manufacture of firearms without a license, including those produced with a 3D printer
AB 2239 – establishes a 10-year prohibition on possession of firearms for individuals convicted of child or elder abuse
AB 1929 – requires the California Department of Health Care Services to establish a community violence and recovery program for those violently injured by community violence, or at significant risk of being injured
AB 1621 – establishes restrictions on the possession, sale, transfer, manufacture and assembly of unserialized firearms and firearm precursor parts, subject to exceptions
SB 1384 – requires firearms dealers to install security measures in gun stores, carry general liability insurance and have employees attend DOJ-designed training courses
SB 1327 – establishes privately-enforced civil causes of action against those who manufacture, distribute, transport, import, sell, give or lend certain firearms
SB 906 – requires specified school personnel to report to law enforcement threats or perceived threats of homicidal acts by students and requires the California Department of Education to formulate best practices to prevent homicidal acts at schools

L.A. Care is committed to health equity, ensuring that everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. Responsible gun safety legislation is one component toward that goal.