--- title: "California bans police use of shock gloves" publication: "MediaBias News" url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/california-bans-police-use-of-shock-gloves" api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/california-bans-police-use-of-shock-gloves" markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/california-bans-police-use-of-shock-gloves.md" audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/california-bans-police-use-of-shock-gloves" category: "Politics" area: "United States" published: "2026-09-29T16:25:33.234Z" source_reported: "2026-09-29T15:40:09.461Z" updated: "2026-09-29T16:25:33.234Z" trust_score: 68 critic_score: 95 hype_score: 12 assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis" fact_check_status: "not-performed" coverage_measured: "2026-09-29T17:30:44.775504+00:00" --- # California bans police use of shock gloves *Governor Newsom signs law that takes effect next year and expires in 2030.* **Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): - Trust 68 of 100, higher is better. Trust 68: multiple named sources and official figures cited, but only one independent full report limits corroboration. - Craft 95 of 100, higher is better. Critic 95: explains context, includes many quotes, clear facts, next steps, and specific figures. - Hype 12 of 100, lower is better. Hype 12: language is measured; no sensationalism or clickbait. Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology. **The short version** - California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law banning police use of shock gloves. - The ban takes effect next year and will last until 2030. - ICE awarded a contract for 6,000 pairs of shock gloves weeks before the ban. - The state Justice Department must study the safety of shock gloves by 2029. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law that bans local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from using shock gloves. The devices deliver electric shocks. This ban will become effective next year and will remain in force until 2030. The law requires California’s Justice Department to study the safety of shock gloves and report its findings to lawmakers by 2029. The legislation was signed weeks after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) awarded a contract worth nearly $17 million for 6,000 pairs of shock gloves. The Independent reported that Governor Newsom stated, “Trump has put his political interests above the health, safety and livelihood of American families.” The Independent also reported that 17 states with Democratic-led legislatures have passed more than 100 pro-immigrant bills this year, according to an AP analysis. ## Disagreement on the law's scope The Independent reported that the law bans local, state, and federal law enforcement officers. However, Kevin Johnson, a professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis, School of Law, told The Independent that courts are likely to rule the state cannot bar federal officers from wearing shock gloves. He stated that such laws likely conflict with the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. Sacramento Sheriff Jim Cooper also told The Independent that California law enforcement groups broadly opposed the ban, stating that banning shock gloves “really makes no sense” as they are non-lethal tools. ## What the coverage left out None of the right-rated digests mention the nearly $17 million contract ICE awarded for shock gloves. None of the centre-rated digests mention the specific contract value or the number of gloves purchased. None of the centre-rated digests mention the commentary from Professor Kevin Johnson or Sheriff Jim Cooper regarding the law's potential conflict with federal authority or law enforcement opposition. ## Who covered it Shares of the 27 covering outlets with a published leaning rating: - Left: 48% (13) - Centre: 48% (13) - Right: 4% (1) 2 of 29 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-29T17:30:44.775504+00:00. **Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 6 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-29T17:45:21.861Z. ## How the sides framed it ### Left - Six left-rated reports led on the ban of shock gloves for law enforcement officers. The Independent, which provided a full report, noted that Governor Newsom stated, “Trump has put his political interests above the health, safety and livelihood of American families.” The Independent also highlighted that 17 states with Democratic-led legislatures have passed more than 100 pro-immigrant bills this year, according to an AP analysis. This report also included commentary from Professor Kevin Johnson and Sheriff Jim Cooper regarding the law's potential conflict with federal authority and opposition from law enforcement groups. The Independent also quoted Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins, who introduced the legislation, stating the law was meant to "put a pause" on the devices' use while their risks are examined, and Senator Scott Wiener, who called ICE's actions a "secret police terror campaign." ### Centre - Nine centre-rated reports focused on California Governor Gavin Newsom signing a law that bans local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from using shock gloves. These reports noted the ban takes effect next year and will remain in place until 2030. Several digests mentioned that the ban comes weeks after Immigration and Customs Enforcement made plans to provide its officers with the devices. KCRA 3's digest mentioned Newsom signed multiple bills expanding oversight of federal immigration enforcement. ### Right - The single right-rated report led on California Governor Gavin Newsom signing a law banning local, state, and federal officers from using shock gloves. The digest noted the ban comes weeks after Immigration and Customs Enforcement made plans to give its officers the devices. **Provisional coverage gap:** right. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding. ## Factuality profile of the covering outlets These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true. - veryLow: 1 - mixed: 1 - high: 6 - unknown: 2 - veryHigh: 19 ## Verification scope This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true. ## Original reporting this was written from - [Times of San Diego](https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2026/09/29/california-law-police-shock-gloves-ban) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [abc 7 News](https://abc7news.com/post/new-california-law-bans-officers-using-gloves-deliver-electric-shocks/19887870) — New CA law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [Spectrum Local News](https://spectrumlocalnews.com/ca/california/politics/2026/09/29/newsom-legislation-protecting-immigrant-communities) — Newson signs legislation to protect immigrants, including shock glove ban - [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/state/11178971/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [Stocktonia](https://stocktonia.org/news/politics/2026/09/29/california-law-police-shock-gloves-ban) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [Haberler](https://haberler.com/guncel/california-kolluk-kuvvetlerine-2030-a-kadar-20282601-haberi) — California Imposes Ban on Electroshock Gloves to Law Enforcement Agencies by 2030 - [cedarnews.net](https://cedarnews.net/newstasks/1015610/newsom-signs-bills-pushing-back-trumps-immigration) — Newsom signs bills pushing back on Trump's immigration agenda - [washingtonsun.com](https://washingtonsun.com/immigration/california-bans-officers-gloves-electric-shock) — New California Law Bans Officers From Using Gloves That Deliver Electric Shocks - [Los Angeles Times](https://latimes.com/politics/story/2026-09-29/newsom-signs-bills-pushing-back-on-trumps-immigration-agenda) — Newsom signs bills pushing back on Trump's immigration agenda - [WBAL](https://wbal.com/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electr - [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks/article_e762c468-8744-5704-a66d-a665b5092b72.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/california-gloves-shock-law-newsom-bill-c68539) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/national/2026/09/29/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [Bangor Daily News](https://bangordailynews.com/2026/09/29/nation/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [The Independent (US)](https://the-independent.com/news/california-gavin-newsom-sacramento-kevin-johnson-legislature-b3058402.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel](https://gjsentinel.com/news/us/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks/article_c87b23d6-61b1-531b-b479-45236cf532b5.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [Jonesboro Sun](https://jonesborosun.com/news/national/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks/article_03595e99-7aa4-545a-b2e4-a697887e12f0.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [The Sun Chronicle](https://thesunchronicle.com/news/nation_world/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks/article_35ab081a-073d-50c3-b13e-0a63479dce6b.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [Oskaloosa Herald](https://oskaloosa.com/news/national_news/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks/article_6fc0efbb-7a08-5869-8fc9-71ed9ade2019.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [Reflector](https://reflector.com/news/national/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks/article_091a8295-f405-5e5c-8031-a6d093fc3f10.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [The Tribune-Democrat](https://tribdem.com/news/latest_news/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks/article_64ed568e-14a4-5fe2-b920-d2d517a0d528.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [KCRA 3](https://kcra.com/article/gov-newsom-signs-bills-immigration-enforcement/73941905) — Newsom signs bill to ban use of shock gloves and other legislation aimed at immigration enforcement - [The Record](https://therecord.com/news/world/united-states/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks/article_8ae900c0-c07c-5fbd-92ad-34f30a1e3a0b.html) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/09/29/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [NBC Bay Area](https://nbcbayarea.com/news/california/new-california-law-bans-officers-gloves-electric-shocks/4150204) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [abc10 News](https://10news.com/news/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [KSBY](https://ksby.com/news/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks - [KERO](https://turnto23.com/news/new-california-law-bans-officers-from-using-gloves-that-deliver-electric-shocks) — New California law bans officers from using gloves that deliver electric shocks ## Questions **What does the new California law ban?** The new California law bans local, state, and federal law enforcement officers from using gloves that can deliver electric shocks. This ban is intended to pause the use of these devices while their safety is studied. **When does the California shock glove ban take effect and how long will it last?** The ban on shock gloves in California will take effect next year and is scheduled to remain in force until 2030. This provides a defined period for the law's implementation and subsequent review. **What action did ICE take before the ban?** Weeks before the ban was signed into law, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) awarded a contract valued at nearly $17 million for 6,000 pairs of shock glove devices. **What is required of California's Justice Department regarding shock gloves?** California's Justice Department is required by the new law to study the safety of shock gloves. They must then report their findings to state lawmakers by the year 2029. --- MediaBias News — https://mediabias.news. Reproduced from https://mediabias.news/politics/california-bans-police-use-of-shock-gloves. 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