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SACRAMENTO, CA — California lawmakers are advancing a controversial new bill, SB 704, that would treat firearm barrels like complete firearms, requiring all sales and transfers to go through a licensed dealer with a background check. The legislation, introduced by Senator Jesse Arreguín (D), is the latest in a series of proposals that expand regulatory control over individual gun parts — this time targeting components that have never been considered firearms on their own.

Under SB 704, beginning July 1, 2026, firearm barrels could no longer be sold or transferred privately or online without going through a licensed firearms dealer. The bill would mandate in-person transactions, require a background check, and compel dealers to document the sale, including the purchaser’s information and date of transfer. Any violations would be classified as misdemeanors.

California already regulates frames, receivers, and precursor parts, but barrels have traditionally been unregulated. Critics of the bill argue that this is a deliberate strategy to gradually choke off the ability of law-abiding gun owners to repair or customize their firearms — a form of indirect gun control through component-level restrictions.

Second Amendment supporters are sounding the alarm. The National Association for Gun Rights warned that the bill is part of a broader agenda to “target the secondary market” and “ban online sales” by imposing regulation on basic gun parts that pose no threat on their own. Many see this as a continuation of efforts to clamp down on homemade and 3D-printed firearms by regulating every part that could possibly be used in a build, no matter how benign.

Firearm barrels are not serialized. They cannot fire a round on their own, nor are they sufficient to construct a working firearm without a legally regulated frame or receiver. By requiring background checks for barrels, the state is blurring the line between sensible regulation and punitive overreach.

This bill also raises concerns about cost and compliance burdens for hobbyists and gunsmiths. It would make simple maintenance, such as replacing a worn barrel, subject to the same process as buying a new firearm. Gun owners in rural areas, who rely on online retailers and parts suppliers, would be disproportionately affected.

From a Second Amendment perspective, SB 704 is yet another reminder of how expansive and persistent California’s gun control efforts have become. The concern is not just about barrels — it’s about where this regulatory strategy ends. If barrels require background checks today, what’s next? Springs? Pins? Screws?

What’s Next for SB 704?

As of April 30, 2025, SB 704 remains in committee in the California Senate. It was last set for hearing on April 29 in the Senate Committee on Public Safety, following amendments made on March 26. The bill has not yet reached a floor vote.

If it passes out of committee, SB 704 will proceed through the legislative process toward a full Senate vote. If approved, it will then move to the State Assembly. Opponents are urging California gun owners to contact their legislators and voice strong opposition before it advances further.