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DOJ Bureau of Firearms seeks funds as analysts warn special‑fund solvency and large IT modernization loom
Summary
The Department of Justice’s Bureau of Firearms asked the Assembly subcommittee for staffing and program funding tied to courtroom decisions and rising concealed‑carry workload, while the Legislative Analyst's Office and Finance urged a long‑term framework for whether regulatory fees or the General Fund should pay recurring costs.
Department of Justice Bureau of Firearms staff summarized a package of budget proposals to support firearm background checks, concealed‑carry processing and an ongoing IT modernization effort, while analysts urged the Legislature to adopt a broader plan for funding those workloads.
Allison Mendoza, Bureau of Firearms director, said the governor’s budget proposes roughly $19.2 million in 2025–26 (roughly $18.6M General Fund) and $6.4 million ongoing in later years to support 11 proposals, including positions for the firearms clearance section and resources to handle a large increase in concealed‑carry applications. Mendoza said the proposals support the firearm clearance background‑check workload and the concealed‑carry program, which has been affected by recent U.S. Supreme Court and federal court decisions.
Mendoza told the committee the Bureau had seen about a 34% increase in initial concealed‑carry applications and 15% more renewals since June 2022; renewal spikes in 2024 reflected two‑year CCW license cycles. The bureau also noted a new court mandate requiring acceptance of some out‑of‑state applicants in limited circumstances, which will add workload.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office raised a fiscal design concern: historically much of the firearms workload was paid from regulatory special funds (fees), but several of those accounts — notably the Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) special account — face solvency issues and may become unable to cover future costs. The LAO recommended DOJ produce, by January 2026, a framework identifying which workloads should be supported by fee revenue, proposed fee levels and statutory clarifications needed to align responsibilities with sustainable fund sources.
The Department of Finance said it supported the proposal’s intent and favored flexibility because court and bureau workloads vary by year, but acknowledged the LAO’s recommendation for a forward plan. The LAO also noted a larger IT program (FITZSIM) to replace legacy firearms and ammunition systems that may cost hundreds of millions and create additional funding pressure.
No formal action was taken. Committee members asked DOJ and Finance to pursue the LAO’s recommendation and return with more detailed fee and workload analyses during the budget process.
