The California State Legislature on Sept. 7 passed Assembly Bill 28, a landmark measure that would impose an 11% excise tax on firearms and ammunition sold by gun manufacturers and dealers.

Having cleared both the Assembly and Senate by a two-thirds supermajority vote, AB 28 – which is officially known as the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act – is awaiting consideration by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Authored by Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino), chair of the Legislature’s Gun Violence Prevention Working Group, AB 28 will generate more than $150 million annually to fund school safety and violence prevention programs, including initiatives to prevent school shootings, bolster firearm investigations, reduce retaliatory violence and remove guns from domestic abusers.

“I am grateful that a supermajority of the Legislature voted to fund critical programs that will save lives and protect communities across the state of California,” Gabriel said. “It’s beyond shameful that gun manufacturers are reaping record profits at the same time that gun violence has become the leading cause of death for kids in the United States. The Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act will help to ensure that we have the tools and resources necessary to better protect our kids and our communities.”

“California has a long history of paving the way for effective methods of reducing gun violence. It’s an undisputed leader in the fight for gun safety, and I am proud Giffords has worked alongside gun violence prevention groups across the state and members of the legislature, including Assemblymember Gabriel, to help advocate for the state’s latest effort.” said former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. “We urge Gov. Newsom to prioritize the safety of California’s kids and communities and sign the Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act, a top priority for the gun violence prevention movement.”

Since AB 28 was introduced at the beginning of the current legislative session, the United States has experienced hundreds of mass shootings.