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California Governor Jerry Brown approved a legislation prohibiting the sales or transfers of long guns including rifles and shotguns to individuals under 21 years old.

On Friday, Brown signed Senate Bill 1100, which raises the age requirement to purchase a gun. The new law requires that all individuals who want to buy or transfer a firearm must be at least years old.

A provision in the law provides exemptions of the requirement for members of the military, law enforcement officers, and hunters holding a valid license from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The state’s existing law already restricts the sales or transfers of a handgun to any person below 21 years of age. However, the minimum age to buy a long gun is 18 years.

Making California law on guns “consistent”

California State Sen. Anthony Portantino introduced Senate Bill 1100 to make the law consistent. He thanked Brown for his “leadership in signing this important bill.”

Additionally, Portantino emphasized that he is “determined to help California respond appropriately” to the tragic school shootings that happened recently the United States.

The state senator introduced Senate Bill 1100 after the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parland, Florida. The shooter killed 17 people using an AR-15 rifle. Since the tragic incident, survivors of the school shooting demanded stricter gun control rules. In response, Florida Gov. Rick Scott approved a comprehensive gun control and school safety legislation in March.

Gun control advocates across the country encouraged lawmakers to take action to prevent gun violence. Lawmakers in several states including California passed stricter gun regulation.

“I feel it is imperative that California leads when Washington refuses to act.  No parent should have to worry that a gun gets in the wrong hands and commits a heinous and violent tragedy on our school campuses,” said Portantino.

A number of organizations support Senate Bill 1100 including The CA Chapters of the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America among others.