The California Legislature has approved a bill that would prohibit law enforcement officers from using electric shock gloves, a move prompted by federal plans to deploy the devices as part of immigration enforcement efforts. The legislation, passed on Monday, now awaits the decision of Governor Gavin Newsom, who has not yet indicated whether he will sign the measure into law.
The bill was introduced in direct response to the Trump administration’s announcement last month of its intention to allocate up to $20 million to purchase electric shock gloves for agents, particularly those in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Democratic lawmakers behind the measure characterized the gloves as an unproven and hazardous tool that poses risks when placed in the hands of poorly trained officers, highlighting concerns over ICE’s enforcement tactics.
Assemblywoman LaShae Sharp-Collins of San Diego, the bill’s sponsor, emphasized unease about the gloves’ use by what she called “our least trained and most lawless law enforcement,” referring to ICE agents. Civil liberties and immigrant advocacy groups supported the ban, citing a history of aggressive immigration enforcement, which has resulted in at least six fatalities over the past two years, according to critics. Opponents of the gloves also pointed to potential financial consequences, warning that their use could lead to costly legal challenges.
Shiu-Ming Cheer, deputy director of the California Immigrant Policy Center, underscored the group’s concern that militarized enforcement practices and excessive force jeopardize public safety, backing the bill as a measure to prevent further escalation.
In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the gloves as a “de-escalation device,” dismissing the state’s legislation as unconstitutional. DHS officials vowed not to comply with the ban, citing the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, which grants federal authority precedence over state laws. A department spokesperson condemned the bill as an attempt by California’s “sanctuary politicians” to undermine federal law enforcement efforts and endanger officers.
Several California law enforcement agencies, including local police, have voiced opposition to the bill. Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper, a former state lawmaker, reported that his department had invested $35,000 in acquiring 10 gloves, which are operated singly rather than in pairs. The department has also obtained 10 electric shock bands capable of remotely subduing detainees—both items would be banned if the bill takes effect. Cooper revealed that deputies are undergoing training to use the gloves, with plans to deploy them by September, viewing the devices as valuable tools alongside Tasers and less-lethal bean bag rounds for defusing potentially violent situations.
Other agencies, such as the Santa Monica Police Department and the El Monte Police Department in eastern Los Angeles County, have procured a small number of gloves and are conducting evaluations. El Monte’s Lt. Aram Choe noted the department is monitoring developments at both the legislative level and within peer agencies before making a decision about wider use.
The manufacturer, Compliant Technologies of Kentucky, did not comment on the number of units sold but a previous report indicated that about 50 law enforcement agencies across 20 states, as well as some prison and hospital security personnel, have acquired the devices.
Governor Newsom has until September 30 to act on the bill. Should he sign it into law, legal challenges are expected, particularly given the federal government’s firm stance against compliance.