CA AB2842

Requires law enforcement agencies that contract with third parties for firearm destruction to explicitly prohibit the sale of any firearm, weapon, or parts/attachments thereof in the contract.

Allows firearms acquired through gun-buyback programs to be donated to public or private nonprofit historical societies, museums, or institutional collections as an alternative to destruction, provided the firearm is deactivated or rendered inoperable.

Exempts law enforcement agencies with existing destruction contracts prior to November 1, 2024 from compliance with new destruction requirements if compliance would breach the existing contract.

Requires law enforcement agencies to develop and maintain written policies on firearm destruction, including record-keeping and Automated Firearms System entry, and post these policies on their websites.

Defines "destroy" to mean complete destruction of a firearm by smelting, shredding, crushing, or cutting, including all parts and attachments, while permitting recycling of scrap metal resulting from destruction.