California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a new law on Tuesday that restricts the use of electric shock devices, such as shock gloves, by law enforcement agencies operating within the state. The legislation specifically targets the use of these devices on individuals in custody, including those detained for immigration-related matters. The ban is set to take effect at the start of next year and will remain active until 2030.

Governor Newsom characterized the use of such equipment as "Orwellian," framing the new law as a direct challenge to federal immigration enforcement tactics. While the law applies to local and state police, it also extends to federal officers, such as those from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who are operating within California's borders. The move is the latest in a series of legislative efforts by the state to limit federal immigration enforcement activities. Supporters of the bill argue that the use of electric shock devices is inhumane and unnecessary for maintaining order in detention settings. Conversely, critics of such state-level restrictions often argue that they interfere with federal authority and the ability of agencies to maintain safety and security during the transport and processing of detainees. The Hill reports that the governor’s office explicitly linked the legislation to a broader resistance against federal policies, though the specific operational impact on federal agencies remains a point of legal debate.