In light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on a New York concealed carry gun law, California state Attorney General Rob Bonta discussed legislation efforts in the Golden State.
“Californians are committed to safeguarding our citizens, our children, and our future through commonsense gun laws,” Attorney General Bonta said in a statement. “States still have the right to limit concealed carry permits to those who may safely possess firearms.”
“We are working with the Governor and the legislature to advance legislation that is both constitutional and will maintain safety for Californians,” Bonta added, pointing to the recent mass shooting tragedies in Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York.
“[W]ith gun deaths at an all-time high, ensuring that dangerous individuals are not allowed to carry concealed firearms is more important than ever,” Bonta added. “The data is clear and the consequences are dire — more guns in more places make us less safe. In California, we are committed to passing and defending commonsense, constitutional gun laws that save lives.”
In a press release, Bonta noted that Californians should remember that carrying a firearm that is loaded in the majority of public locations is banned in general unless the person has been given a license through the application process with law enforcement.
In a 6-3 decision, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that New York’s requirement for people to have “proper cause” in order to get a license violated their Second Amendment and 14th Amendment rights.
In the majority opinion, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote, “We know of no other constitutional right that an individual may exercise only after demonstrating to government officers some special need.”
“New York’s proper-cause requirement violates the Fourteenth Amendment in that it prevents law-abiding citizens with ordinary self-defense needs from exercising their right to keep and bear arms,” he added.
California has a similar requirement known as the need to demonstrate “good cause.” Bonta’s press release noted that this is “likely unconstitutional under Bruen.”
However, other measures to get a permit from law enforcement are still enforceable, such as the need to have “a successful background check, the completion of a firearms safety course, and proof of residency, employment, or business in the county or city within the county.”
The attorney general also pointed to several ways “to continue preventing gun violence strategically and aggressively,” such as pushing for “commonsense gun laws,” taking guns away from people who aren’t allowed to have them, and stopping the sale of illegal guns.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the high court’s decision brings up questions about other gun laws in at least eight additional states, as well as the District of Columbia.
Tim Pearce contributed to this report.