California bans shock gloves for all officers, including ICE, through 2030
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on 29 September banning local, state and federal officers in California from using electric-shock gloves, weeks after reports of an ICE purchase plan. The Guardian reports that a legal expert and a sheriff question the ban.
Updated (version 2). New coverage since the last version from Washington Examiner. Previously: “California bans police and federal agents from using electric-shock gloves”.
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The story, neutrally told
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law on Tuesday 29 September banning law enforcement use of electric-shock gloves. The HillN “on Tuesday signed into law a state ban on law enforcement use of electric shock gloves” Read at The Hill ↗ The GuardianLC “California has passed a law Tuesday banning local, state and federal law enforcement officers” Read at The Guardian ↗ The ban takes effect next year and lasts through 2030, and covers local, state and federal officers. The HillN “The ban, which takes effect next year and lasts through 2030, applies to local, state and federal law enforcement officers” Read at The Hill ↗ Washington ExaminerR “The prohibition applies to local, state, and federal law enforcement officers operating in California” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ The Guardian says it follows an ICE contract of nearly $17m for 6,000 pairs awarded last month; the Washington Examiner says reports emerged in August that ICE planned to spend up to $20 million. The GuardianLC “Last month, the agency awarded a nearly $17m contract to buy 6,000 pairs.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Washington ExaminerR “ICE planned to spend up to $20 million to purchase thousands of wearable devices” Read at Washington Examiner ↗
The law directs the state justice department to study the devices' safety and report to lawmakers by 2029. The GuardianLC “The law requires the state’s justice department to study their safety and report to lawmakers by 2029.” Read at The Guardian ↗ Washington ExaminerR “directs the California Department of Justice to conduct a safety study on the devices” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ Assembly member LaShae Sharp-Collins, who introduced the bill, said it would pause use while risks are examined, and called ICE's plan the catalyst. The GuardianLC “put a pause” on law enforcement’s use of the devices while the state examines their potential risks” Read at The Guardian ↗ Newsom said Trump had put political interests above the safety of families; The Hill and the Washington Examiner quote him calling the administration's tactics "Orwellian". The GuardianLC “Trump has put his political interests above the health, safety and livelihood of American families” Read at The Guardian ↗ The HillN “Trump administration's "Orwellian immigration tactics."” Read at The Hill ↗
The signing was part of a package that also restricts flash-bang grenades and explosive breaching charges, bars ICE officers with serious misconduct from becoming California peace officers, and imposes a 25% tax on private detention facilities, according to the Washington Examiner. Washington ExaminerR “The package also imposes a new 25% tax on private detention facilities” Read at Washington Examiner ↗ UC Davis law professor emeritus Kevin Johnson told the Guardian courts will likely find the state cannot bar federal officers from using the gloves, citing the supremacy clause; Sacramento sheriff Jim Cooper, a Democrat, said the ban "really makes no sense". The GuardianLC “courts are likely to ultimately rule that the state cannot bar federal officers from wearing shock gloves or face coverings”“really makes no sense” Read at The Guardian ↗ A federal judge earlier this year blocked California's earlier mask ban for federal officers as too selective; lawmakers passed a version covering all officers, which Newsom signed. The GuardianLC “Lawmakers passed a new bill this year to make the ban apply to all officers. Newsom signed that legislation.” Read at The Guardian ↗
The Washington Examiner notes the devices are made by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky, and that Newsom is eyed as a 2028 presidential contender. Washington ExaminerR “manufactured by Compliant Technologies LLC of Lexington, Kentucky”“he’s being eyed as a top 2028 presidential contender” Read at Washington Examiner ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Explains the ban as a response to ICE's purchase within Democratic-state pushback, and includes legal and law-enforcement doubts.
- Emphasis
- Legal vulnerability, the sponsor's rationale, a Kentucky death allegation, and the wider state immigration-bill trend.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention the other bills in the package, such as the detention tax.
- Charged language
- “ICE’s secret police terror campaign”
- For example
-
“The law will again test the state’s authority to restrict federal agents amid the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.” — The Guardian
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Leads with Newsom signing the ban as pushback against Trump administration tactics, using his 'Orwellian' wording in the headline.
- Emphasis
- Newsom's political confrontation with the administration.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Legal challenges and critics are not visible in the available coverage.
- Charged language
- “Orwellian”
- For example
-
“the Democrat's latest push back against the Trump administration's "Orwellian immigration tactics."” — The Hill
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Presents the ban as one part of a broader package targeting ICE, with attention to Newsom's presidential ambitions.
- Emphasis
- The package's detention tax, other restrictions and Newsom's 2028 positioning.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Omits legal doubts and opposing voices such as the sheriff's criticism.
- Charged language
- “Orwellian”
- For example
-
“Newsom, meanwhile, has positioned himself as a prominent opponent of Trump’s immigration policies as he’s being eyed as a top 2028 presidential contender.” — Washington Examiner
What every side reports
- Newsom signed the ban on 29 September 2026.
- It applies to local, state and federal officers, starting next year through 2030.
- ICE's plan to buy the gloves prompted Newsom's focus on the issue.
- Newsom cast the move as opposition to Trump administration immigration tactics.
Where accounts differ
-
Size of the ICE purchase
- Left
- Nearly $17m contract awarded for 6,000 pairs.
- Centre
- Not stated in the available coverage.
- Right
- Reports said ICE planned to spend up to $20 million on thousands of devices by March.
-
Whether the ban can legally bind federal officers
- Left
- Legal expert and a Democratic sheriff doubt it, citing the supremacy clause and practicality.
- Centre
- Not addressed.
- Right
- Not addressed.
-
The California ban on shock gloves applies to local, state and federal officers and runs from next year through 2030.
Reported- Reports 3
- The Guardian, The Hill, Washington Examiner
-
ICE's plan to buy shock gloves for its officers prompted the California ban.
Reported- Supports 1
- Washington Examiner
- Reports 2
- The Guardian, The Hill
Gavin Newsom person
Says the law steps up where the federal government failed and strengthens oversight of immigration enforcement.
“This is about stepping up where the federal government has failed our communities” — Washington Examiner
LaShae Sharp-Collins person
Says the bill pauses use of the devices while risks are studied, and that ICE's plan was the catalyst.
“There’s a lot of unrest and a lot of uncertainty” — The Guardian
Immigration and Customs Enforcement organisation
Awarded a contract for gloves designed to gain compliance from combative individuals; no ICE comment appears in the coverage.
“designed to gain compliance from combative individuals” — The Guardian
California place
State lawmakers passed at least two dozen immigration-related bills this year.
“lawmakers passed at least two dozen bills this year” — The Guardian
Left1 article
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California bans officers’ use of electric-shock gloves after ICE reveals plan to equip agents
Mixed Detailed news report placing the ban in the state-federal conflict and giving space to sceptics.
Centre1 article
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Newsom bars ICE from using shock gloves, other 'Orwellian' tactics in California
Neutral Short report of the signing as Newsom's latest pushback against Trump.
Right1 article
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Newsom signs law banning ICE shock gloves in California
Neutral Package overview with political context on Newsom's 2028 prospects.
- 29 Sep 23:18 First The GuardianLC California bans officers’ use of electric-shock gloves after ICE reveals plan to equip agents
- 30 Sep 14:04 +14h 46m The HillN Newsom bars ICE from using shock gloves, other 'Orwellian' tactics in California
- 30 Sep 18:30 +19h 12m Washington ExaminerR Newsom signs law banning ICE shock gloves in California
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.