California Democrats Move to Ban ‘Shock Gloves’ ICE Plans to Use
California Democrats are moving to block law enforcement officers from using electric “shock gloves” after reports that Immigration and Customs Enforcement plans to purchase thousands of the devices as part of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown.
State lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 2760 on Monday, sending the legislation to Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom for consideration.
The measure would impose a three-year ban on law enforcement agencies in California using wearable electroshock devices while state officials study the technology and establish potential regulations.
The devices at the center of the controversy are known as G.L.O.V.E.s, short for Generated Low Output Voltage Emitters. They are manufactured by Kentucky-based Compliant Technologies.
The gloves allow an officer to deliver an electrical shock through contact with a person. Supporters say they provide officers with another less-lethal option for gaining control of combative suspects without immediately resorting to more dangerous force.
The Department of Homeland Security has described the technology as a “de-escalation device.” ICE reportedly plans to spend as much as $20 million purchasing thousands of the gloves.
Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins, a Democrat who introduced the California legislation, specifically cited ICE’s plans when pushing lawmakers to take action.
Sharp-Collins argued that the devices could be abused and sharply criticized federal immigration officers, claiming the technology could end up in the hands of law enforcement personnel she considers insufficiently trained.
The Department of Homeland Security fired back, accusing California politicians of attempting to prevent federal officers from obtaining equipment designed to protect them while carrying out dangerous enforcement operations.
DHS also indicated that the federal government would not consider itself bound by California’s attempted restrictions on federal immigration agents.
The department argued that the Constitution’s Supremacy Clause prevents state governments from dictating what safety equipment federal law enforcement officers can use while performing their official duties.
California law enforcement agencies have also raised objections to the legislation. Some departments have already purchased the technology and argue it could help officers resolve dangerous encounters without using firearms.
Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper said his department spent approximately $35,000 purchasing 10 of the gloves and had already begun training personnel to use them.
Cooper acknowledged that being shocked by the device is painful but defended it as a potentially valuable alternative when officers need to control someone without escalating to lethal force.
The dispute represents another clash between California Democrats and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement. State lawmakers have repeatedly attempted to impose restrictions on how ICE agents operate inside California.
One previous California effort sought to prohibit federal immigration agents from wearing masks while conducting enforcement operations. A federal judge later blocked enforcement of that restriction against federal officers.
Newsom will now decide whether to sign the latest measure. Even if he does, the state could face another legal battle over whether California has the constitutional authority to restrict equipment used by federal immigration officers.
The fight ultimately extends beyond the gloves themselves. California Democrats see the devices as potentially abusive surveillance-era law enforcement technology, while the Trump administration and some police agencies argue they provide officers with another less-lethal tool that could prevent more dangerous confrontations.