The Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) and its partners have filed their reply brief with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in a lawsuit challenging California’s Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) mandatory surveillance law.

The case challenges California Penal Code 26806 which states “…a licensee shall ensure that its business premises are monitored by a digital video surveillance system…” along with a long list of requirements. Some of those requirements include the recording of video and audio inside the premises, a permanently mounted camera in locations that record activity at points of sale and all areas where firearms are displayed, and much more. The surveillance system must also record 24 hours a day and recordings saved for a minimum for one year.

“This law violates not only the Fourth Amendment, but the First and Fifth as well,” said SAF Executive Director Adam Kraut. “The state has certainly hit the trifecta of infringement with this one. This law also creates burdensome and expensive logistical hurdles for those businesses which dare to sell firearms in California, all for the purpose of discouraging that precise constitutionally protected activity.”

Joining SAF in Richards v. Newsom are the California Rifle and Pistol Association, Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners of California, Gun Owners Foundation, On Target Indoor Shooting Range and Gaalswyk Enterprises and four private citizens.

“This law is unfortunately exactly what Californians have come expect from their lawmakers,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “Licensed firearm dealers in California are already under tremendous pressure to follow a labyrinth of restrictions and now they must add 24-hour mandatory government surveillance of themselves and their customers to that growing list. Plus, the costs associated with installing such a system can easily exceed five figures, placing an unconstitutional and unjustified financial burden on businesses. This invasion of privacy cannot stand, and we look forward to fighting this egregious violation in court.”

For more information visit SAF.org.

The Second Amendment Foundation (saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing and legal action group dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the fundamental rights of individuals enshrined in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. SAF engages in aggressive legal action to ensure the principles of armed self-defense, personal liberty, and the ownership of arms are defended, secured, and restored. Through public education initiatives, SAF teaches the importance of the Second Amendment to promote a society that values and exercises the right to keep and bear arms.