SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed several gun control measures Tuesday, including one that allows the court to consider stalking and animal cruelty as grounds to restrict access to firearms.
The state already has some of the strictest gun laws in the country. The new laws signed by Newsom will expand restrictions on who could own firearms, prevent the proliferation of “ghost guns” and increase protections for domestic violence survivors.
“California won’t wait until the next school shooting or mass shooting to act,” the Democratic governor said in a statement. “In the absence of congressional action, our state is once again leading the way by strengthening our nation-leading gun laws.”
Under the new laws, a judge can consider stalking, acts of animal cruelty or threats of violence as evidence for a gun violence restraining order. A person who has a misdemeanor charge dismissed because they were found to be mentally incompetent will also be prohibited from possessing a gun. Current laws only apply such restrictions to cases involving felony charges.
Another law targets ghost guns by requiring law enforcement agencies to prohibit their contracted vendors from selling guns meant to be destroyed. The measure received bipartisan support from the Legislature.
The new laws also aim at providing more protections for domestic violence survivors. There’ll be fewer exceptions for police officers to continue carrying a gun if they were perpetrators of domestic violence. Law enforcement is also required to take away firearms from offenders.
Newsom also signed legislation banning fake gunfire and fake blood from active-shooter drills in California’s public schools.
The California Legislature, which is controlled by Democrats, has advanced some of the strictest gun laws in the country, but many have not survived court challenges.
Newsom has positioned himself as a leader on gun control while he eyes the national political stage. He has called for and signed a variety of bills, including measures targeting ghost guns that are harder for law enforcement to trace, raising the taxes on guns and ammunition to pay for education and banning people from carrying firearms in most public places. Last year, he kickstarted a campaign calling for a constitutional amendment on gun safety with little success.
In the wake of recent mass shootings and escalating gun violence across the country, California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken decisive action to strengthen gun control measures in the state. With a series of new laws and executive orders, Governor Newsom aims to curb the proliferation of firearms and enhance public safety.
One of the key measures introduced by Governor Newsom is a new law that requires individuals to undergo a background check before purchasing ammunition. This law, which went into effect in July 2019, is designed to prevent individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms from obtaining ammunition. By closing this loophole, Governor Newsom hopes to reduce gun violence and prevent tragedies like the mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in 2019.
In addition to the ammunition background check law, Governor Newsom has also signed legislation banning the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines in California. These weapons have been used in numerous mass shootings in the United States, and Governor Newsom believes that restricting their availability will help prevent future tragedies.
Furthermore, Governor Newsom has taken executive action to strengthen gun violence restraining orders (GVROs) in California. These orders allow law enforcement officials and family members to petition the court to temporarily remove firearms from individuals who pose a threat to themselves or others. Under Governor Newsom’s leadership, GVROs have been expanded to allow employers, co-workers, and teachers to also petition for these orders, providing an additional layer of protection for the community.
Governor Newsom’s efforts to strengthen gun control measures in California have been met with both praise and criticism. Supporters argue that these measures are necessary to protect public safety and prevent gun violence, while opponents argue that they infringe on Second Amendment rights.
Despite the controversy surrounding his actions, Governor Newsom remains committed to reducing gun violence in California. He has called on other states and the federal government to follow California’s lead and enact similar measures to protect communities from the devastating impact of gun violence.
In conclusion, Governor Gavin Newsom’s actions to strengthen gun control measures in California are a significant step towards enhancing public safety and preventing gun violence. By implementing new laws and executive orders, Governor Newsom is sending a clear message that the safety of Californians is a top priority. It remains to be seen how these measures will impact gun violence in the state, but one thing is certain – Governor Newsom is taking proactive steps to address this pressing issue.
