California lawmakers passed a ban on electric shock gloves amid federal agency plans to deploy the devices, with state officials defending their use while critics called them unsafe. The legislation prohibits law enforcement from possessing the gloves until 2030, while U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement awarded a $16.7 million contract for 6,000 pairs.
California’s Shock Glove Ban Faces Federal Pushback
California’s legislature moved to block the use of electric shock gloves by local and state agencies, passing a bill that prohibits their possession or use until 2030. The measure was introduced by state Sen. Jesse Arreguín (D-Berkeley), is part of broader immigration-related reforms aimed at curbing federal immigration enforcement tactics. The legislation follows U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) decision to award a $16.7 million contract to Compliant Technologies LLC for 6,000 pairs of the devices. The gloves, which deliver electric shocks to subdue individuals, have drawn fierce opposition from civil rights advocates and Democratic lawmakers who argue they risk misuse.
ICE awards contract to buy 6,000 pairs of electric
This new and dangerous tool, but also just the fact that it is a new and dangerous tool will be in the hands of our least trained and most lawless law enforcement, said Assemblymember Sharp Collins, a key sponsor of the ban. The legislation also restricts hiring former immigration agents for state and local jobs, aiming to limit federal immigration enforcement tactics within California’s borders. A separate bill, authored by Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez (D-Los Angeles), prohibits agents and contractors involved in immigration enforcement from being employed in the future by the state, cities, counties, school districts, and other public entities. The bill, dubbed the Get the Feds Out
Act or “GTFO,” allows exceptions for officers who complete state police training but requires case-by-case suitability reviews.
ICE’s Contract Sparks Outcry Over Safety and Oversight
ICE’s $16.7 million contract with Compliant Technologies LLC for conductive distraction and de-escalation devices has ignited a debate over law enforcement accountability. The agency claims the gloves will reduce injuries by providing a non-lethal alternative to firearms, but critics argue they lack sufficient oversight. A letter from 16 Democratic senators, including Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, warned that the devices could be used to harm Americans without cause given ICE’s history of force allegations.
California lawmakers pass restrictions on hiring former immigration agents
The blatant and tragic misuse of force in Los Angeles, Chicago, Minneapolis, Houston, Maine, and other locations around the country raises significant skepticism about the agency’s professional capability to safely deploy a new tool, the senators wrote. ICE’s notice said the gloves would be used in high-tension environments, including arrests and crowd control, but did not detail training or accountability measures. The devices, which are normal patrol gloves until an officer presses a button to activate the electrical mode, must be applied directly to someone’s skin to produce a shock that causes pain, which is promoted as a way to gain compliance from resisting individuals. They have been used by some local jails and police departments in recent years.
Lawmakers and Law Enforcement Clash Over Safety and Necessity
Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper defended the gloves, calling them a safer alternative to tasers and physical force. His department spent $35,000 to purchase 10 pairs, though none have been used in an on-duty incident. It is very effective, so it saves lives. It prevents injuries, Cooper said, arguing the devices could reduce reliance on more aggressive tactics. He also said the devices could reduce the risk of injuries to both deputies and people being detained. Cooper noted the gloves produce a lower voltage than tasers and could serve as an intermediate option between verbal commands and less-lethal weapons.
California lawmakers move to ban electric shock gloves as
Republicans opposed the California ban, with Senator Tony Strickland stating, If electric shock is a better alternative than actually shooting someone, I don’t think we should take it off the table. The state Senate passed a rule change to fast-track the bill, but the measure faces legal challenges from critics who argue it overreaches into federal domains. State Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach), chair of the Latino Legislative Caucus, emphasized that the bill seeks to ensure public employees live up to the bar that Californians deserve from their public servants.
What Comes Next: Legal Battles and Federal-Local Tensions
The California bill now awaits Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature, with opponents warning of legal battles over its constitutionality. Meanwhile, ICE’s contract highlights growing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and state-level restrictions. The agency’s parent department, the Department of Homeland Security, dismissed criticism as “despicable,” defending the gloves as essential for officer safety. The legislation also includes provisions to block police and other law enforcement officers from taking second jobs or working as contractors on federal immigration enforcement, as outlined in a bill by Assemblymember Isaac Bryan (D-Los Angeles).
State Sen. Kelly Seyarto (R-Murrieta) criticized the bills as based on anger at an issue
that a lot of people disagree on,
reflecting broader partisan divides. The debate underscores the conflicting priorities between federal immigration policies and state efforts to limit their scope. As the debate intensifies, the fate of the gloves will hinge on whether California’s ban withstands legal scrutiny and whether federal agencies continue expanding their use. For now, the devices remain a flashpoint in the broader conflict over immigration enforcement, law enforcement accountability, and the balance of power between state and federal authorities.
