California seeks tougher gun regulations in response to recent shootings

After six separate shooting incidents in California last month that left 29 people dead, Gov. Gavin Newsom and his allies in the state legislature are seeking to test the limits of a new conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court. They do this to ban people from carrying guns in almost all public places.

Under the new legislation, which was passed on Wednesday, places of worship, public libraries, zoos, amusement parks, playgrounds, banks and any other private businesses open to the public will be prohibited from shooting even for people who have a permit. for concealed carrying of firearms. The only exception to this rule would be for business or church owners who choose to put up a sign indicating that firearms are allowed on their premises.

Anthony Portantino, a Democrat who represents La Caada Flintridge in the state legislature and authored the measure, said, “You don’t need a gun to go to Dodger Stadium or your daughter’s AYSO football game.” Portantino is the author of the bill.

The legislation is the next step California will take in its ongoing chess match with the US Supreme Court’s conservative majority on guns and places where people are allowed to have them.

Laws that required a person to provide a reason to request a concealed carry permit in California were struck down by a court a year ago. These rules required a person to explain a reason, such as a threat to their safety, in order to obtain permission.

The decision set new guidelines for how states should regulate firearms. This law, carefully crafted to carry out the court’s verdict and also imposing severe additional restrictions, is California’s response to the new rules.

Portantino, who had just announced his candidacy for Congress, said he wrote the measure with the expectation that it would be challenged in the courts. The measure would make it illegal to carry concealed weapons in almost all public places; but it provides a broad exemption for private property owners who post a sign indicating that firearms are allowed on their premises.

“You can’t say that this is a comprehensive ban, because it has such a clause,” Portantino said. — Having this position. You can’t argue that it’s somehow so prescriptive that the people can’t have any sort of sovereignty over the matter, and I believe it’s a legal detail that I think helps him with constitutional review. “You can’t argue that it’s somehow so prescriptive that people can’t have some sort of sovereignty in this matter.”

The gun rights community does not accept this argument. Chuck Michel, president of the California Association of Riflemen and Pistols, said his organization has already prepared a lawsuit and is ready to file it at the time the bill passes in the state of California. He stated that other state laws require property owners to post a sign if they do not want clients to be able to carry concealed weapons on their premises.

He stated that such an interpretation of the Second Amendment was absurd. “They’re hoping that by taking this path backwards, they can criminalize possession in more regions.”

The process by which people in California can apply for a permit allowing them to carry a concealed firearm will also be subject to a number of reforms under this bill. No one under the age of 21 is eligible for a permit under any circumstances. People will no longer be required to provide a reason why they want a gun permit, such as fear for their safety; however, they will still be required to report all their previous arrests, convictions and restraining orders to the authorities. This is because people are no longer required to provide a reason why they want a gun permit.

In addition, they will need to provide three positive reviews of their character and take part in a personal interview. No one will be allowed to carry more than two firearms at a time, and applicants will be required to complete at least 16 hours of training, which will include instructions for safely storing and transporting firearms.

Read more: