Attorney General Xavier Becerra issued the annual report on the Armed Prohibited Persons System (APPS), a program designed to remove guns from convicted felons and dangerous individuals. A proponent of the APPS program and former Chairman of the Board of Prison Terms, Senator Jim Nielsen (R-Tehama) issued the following statement: 

"Known dangerous criminals must not be in possession of guns. The Attorney General and his agents are making an effort toward that goal.

"I appreciate that Attorney General Becerra is now focused on removing guns from dangerous individuals.

"The program, however, has failed to reduce the number of guns belonging to known criminals and potentially dangerous people.

"The AG identified obstacles and problems, but pointing the finger at the courts, district attorneys and local law enforcements for the delay is not acceptable.

"In 2013, there were 20,721 names on this list. Now, there are 23,222.

"Over the years, I have asked the AG, privately and publicly, to develop a strategy to remove guns from known criminals and potentially dangerous people and keep Californians safe. I appreciate that he has come forward with a plan.

"I would like to see in the AG's plan a delegation of local law enforcement agencies to assist.

"We cannot afford to wait a year to assess this program's progress. Too much is at stake. The Legislature should receive an update in the budget hearings."