The Dublin City Council and the city’s retail landscape regarding firearms have seen significant changes as we enter the new year. On January 20th, 2026, the Dublin City Council adopted an urgency interim ordinance which immediately prohibits the establishment, expansion, or relocation of firearms retailers and shooting range users in the city boundaries. These local actions coincide with new California state laws, officially taking effect since January 1st, 2026, including stricter regulations on firearm storage, an “online gun parts ban”, and new stricter requirements for transfers of gun barrels. Dublin has now seen the closure of the 20-year old store Guns, Fishes, and other things as a result of the new laws and interim ordinance.
In 2026, California is also effectively implementing several major gun control laws, including mandatory home storage in safes, bans on certain automatic handguns, and a three-gun-per-month purchase limit. These measures were taken in order to reduce gun violence, prevent illegal conversions to machine guns, and strengthen safe storage of guns and weapons. The primary goal, as stated by the governor’s office, was to protect children and prevent unauthorized access to firearms. Additionally, these new laws have been implemented to reduce the amount of “Ghost Guns”, which are 3D printed guns, unserialized, and untraceable. Owners must also now report missing or stolen guns within 5 days of its disappearance. The three-per-month limit replaces a previous “one-a-month” law that was challenged, strengthening the ability to prevent “straw” purchases. With these laws, California remains to be one of the nation’s states with the strictest gun laws. Many supporters have claimed these laws have resulted in overall less gun violence in California compared to other states.
The newest interim ordinance adopted by Dublin, while temporary for now, was passed because similar to actions in other jurisdictions, this policy is designed to keep gun dealers away from areas frequently used by children and families, reducing risks associated with firearm retail locations. Some other regulations include that residents in Dublin must apply for a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license through the Alameda County sheriff’s office. Many California laws passed in previous sessions have often delayed implementation dates, with 2026 marking the start of several key measures aimed at strengthening state gun regulations. City officials and state lawmakers have stressed the need to curb gun violence, with local council members highlighting the need to address suicides and improve responsible gun ownership. However, individuals who do not support these new laws may want these new implementations to face legal challenges regarding the 2nd amendment rights.