California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona today applauded Governor Jerry Brown for signing Senate Bill 140 which immediately provides $24 million for the  Department of Justice (DOJ) Armed and Prohibited Persons System (APPS), a program that removes firearms from people who, by law,  cannot possess them.

"This is a program that works.   SB140 allows the Attorney General to hire 36 additional agents to concentrate on taking firearms from people who have been convicted of a felony or a violent misdemeanor, someone who has a domestic violence restraining order against them or someone who is deemed mentally unstable," said Barcelona.  "CSLEA supported SB 140 and I commend Governor Brown for signing, what I believe, is life-saving legislation."

SB 140, by Senator Mark Leno, appropriates $24 million to the DOJ from a fund created by fees paid by gun owners at the time of purchase to hire additional agents and support staff.   

Currently there are 33 special agents assigned to the APPS program.  In the first three months of this year,  agents have collected 461 firearms and 23,080 round of ammunition.

"There is clearly more work than special agents when it comes to the illegal possession of firearms," said Barcelona.  "This is a step in the right direction."