In 2023, AB 574 was passed and starting March 1, 2025 requires the following question to be asked on a Dealer Record of Sale (DROS): “Yes or no answer to a question that inquires whether the purchaser has, within the past 30 days, checked and confirmed possession of all firearms currently owned or possessed.”
You might be wondering why this question is asked. We had to do some digging, but we finally found the rationale. “AB 574 acts as a helpful reminder to firearm weapon owners to check their weapon inventory regularly, ensuring nothing has been lost or stolen. AB 574 will also equip the Department of Justice with more accurate gun ownership and maintenance information. This bill does not create new penalties; they would only apply when the purchaser intentionally lied.”
There is absolutely no consequence to how you answer this question as long as you answer it truthfully. We do not check our personal firearms inventory every 30 days nor will we start doing so. We will simply answer the question no and with that we have not committed perjury. If you say you did and the government can somehow prove you did not, then you have committed perjury. So simply tell the truth.
Ideally the government wants to “help encourage firearm owners to check where their firearms are before they purchase additional firearms.” If you feel so inclined, do what the government says. If you do not, then do not. Just do not lie on the DROS.
No matter how you answer the question, eventually the State of California will claim not enough people are checking their possessions every 30 days and likely mandate you do. It does not matter if 99% of us answered yes either. They do what they want to do with zero regard to its effectiveness. Hence this law’s very existence. Simply tell the truth and move on with your day.