Wildlife Protection Act of 2019
The California fur-trapping ban refers to Assembly Bill 273 – the Wildlife Protection Act of 2019, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 4, 2019.[1] The statute made California the first U.S. state to outlaw commercial and recreational trapping of fur-bearing mammals, ending a practice that had existed since the early 19th century.[2]
Background
Commercial trapping of carnivores such as coyote, gray fox and mink had dwindled for decades.
- In 2017 only 68 licensed trappers reported killing 1,568 animals statewide, generating under US$9,000 in pelt sales.[3]
- Licence revenue—about US$16,000 per year—covered only a fraction of regulatory costs borne by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).[3]
Wildlife-protection advocates argued that public subsidies for the trade were unjustified and that native species were better valued alive through non-consumptive activities such as wildlife watching.
Legislation
- Bill sponsor: Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez (D–San Diego).
- Bill number: AB 273 (2019–2020 Regular Session).[4]
- Legislative passage: Approved by the Assembly (50–19) and Senate (26–13) before reaching the governor’s desk.
- Governor’s action: Signed 4 September 2019; chaptered as Chapter 216, Statutes of 2019.[1]
Key provisions
The Act:
- Prohibits trapping any fur-bearing or nongame mammal “for purposes of recreation or commerce in fur.”
- Eliminates state trapping, fur-dealer and fur-agent licences.
- Bans the sale of raw fur from these animals.
- Retains limited trapping for depredation control, public-health protection and scientific research under existing Fish and Game Code exemptions.[4]
The law took effect 1 January 2020, allowing CDFW time to phase out licences and notify permit holders.
Implementation and enforcement
Violations are punishable as misdemeanours carrying fines up to US$2,000 and/or one year in county jail, under amended Section 12002 of the Fish and Game Code.[4] CDFW wardens retain authority to issue citations and seize illegal traps or pelts.
Reaction
- Supporters – Animal-welfare groups such as the Center for Biological Diversity and Social Compassion in Legislation praised the bill as a humane and fiscally sensible measure.[2]
- Opponents – The California Farm Bureau Federation and the California Trappers Association argued the ban would harm rural livelihoods and impede predator management.[2]
Related legislation
- Assembly Bill 44 (2019) banned the **sale and manufacture of new fur products statewide**, effective 1 January 2023, with exemptions for used fur and certain animal species.[5]
- Several California cities—including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Berkeley—had enacted local fur-sales bans prior to AB 44.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Governor Newsom Signs Legislation 9.4.19" (Press release). Office of Governor Gavin Newsom. September 4, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Sahagún, Louis (September 4, 2019). "Newsom makes California first state to ban fur trapping". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sahagún, Louis (January 25, 2019). "The end of fur trapping in California? Bill seeks to shut down a dwindling industry". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "AB-273 Fur-bearing and nongame mammals: recreational and commercial fur trapping: prohibition (2019–2020)". California Legislative Information. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
- ↑ Falconer, Rebecca (October 13, 2019). "California becomes first state to ban new-fur sales". Axios. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
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