California Governor Gavin Newsom is ending 2023 with a victory lap after a federal appeals court cleared the path on Saturday for a controversial law that would prohibit the majority of legal gun owners from carrying their weapons in 26 types of public spaces that the state deems “sensitive.”
The new legislation, SB2, which Newsom signed into law in September, is set to take effect on January 1, after the appeals court put a temporary injunction, placed by U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney on Dec. 20, on hold, Fox News Digital reports.
As BizPac Review reported, Judge Carney cited in his ruling three U.S. Supreme Court decisions and the “right to self-defense.”
“The right to self-defense and to defend one’s family is fundamental and inherent to our very humanity irrespective of any formal codification,” he wrote.
“For many years, the right to bear arms, and so necessarily the right to self-defense, was relegated to second-class status,” he added. “But the United States Supreme Court made clear in its landmark decisions District of Columbia v. Heller, McDonald v. City of Chicago, and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Incorporated v. Bruen that relegation could no longer be permitted—individuals must be able to effectuate their right to self-defense by, if they so choose, responsibly bearing arms.”
“SB2’s coverage is sweeping, repugnant to the Second Amendment, and openly defiant of the Supreme Court,” Carney stated.
“The law designates twenty-six categories of places, such as hospitals, public transportation, places that sell liquor for on-site consumption, playgrounds, parks, casinos, stadiums, libraries, amusement parks, zoos, places of worship, and banks, as ‘sensitive places’ where concealed carry permit holders cannot carry their handguns,” the judge noted. “SB2 turns nearly every public place in California into a ‘sensitive place,’ effectively abolishing the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding and exceptionally qualified citizens to be armed and to defend themselves in public.”
Permit holders are included in the law, Fox News Digital reports, and gun owners will be banned from entering privately-owned, public businesses such as restaurants with concealed weapons unless a sign explicitly stating that concealed guns are allowed is posted on the entrance.
According to the outlet, “Saturday’s administrative stay on the Dec. 20 injunction by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will remain until another panel of judges from the same circuit decides if a longer hold on the law is necessary.”
“This ruling will allow our common-sense gun laws to remain in place while we appeal the district court’s dangerous ruling,” Newsom said in a statement posted on X. “Californians overwhelmingly support efforts to ensure that places like hospitals, libraries and children’s playgrounds remain safe and free from guns.”
This ruling will allow our common-sense gun laws to remain in place while we appeal the district court’s dangerous ruling.
Californians overwhelmingly support efforts to ensure that places like hospitals, libraries and children’s playgrounds remain safe and free from guns. pic.twitter.com/PODiTf6YvN
— Office of the Governor of California (@CAgovernor) December 30, 2023
Online, the governor’s claim of “overwhelming support” for the unconstitutional Second Amendment stomp is questionable, at best.
“This only restricts legally carried guns,” stated one user. “Doesn’t change anything w/regard to criminals carrying illegally.”
“You want to make it impossible for women to defend themselves from the criminals you release,” accused another.
“Oh wow, how amazing. A court ruling that allows ‘common-sense’ gun laws to remain in place while they’re being appealed,’ replied a third. “Because clearly, the best way to ensure public safety is to keep laws in place that have already been deemed unconstitutional.”
This only restricts legally carried guns. Doesn’t change anything w/regard to criminals carrying illegally.
— Fascist Russian Asset (@SamanthaPfaff) December 31, 2023
You want to make it impossible for women to defend themselves from the criminals you release.
— NorCalDrew (@rooftopdrew) December 31, 2023
Oh wow, how amazing. A court ruling that allows “common-sense” gun laws to remain in place while they’re being appealed. Because clearly, the best way to ensure public safety is to keep laws in place that have already been deemed unconstitutional.
— Joe (@JoeMaristela) December 30, 2023
“Regardless of the issue, it should be concerning to all citizens that a federal judge says something is unconstitutional and the government’s response is a ‘dangerous ruling’,” one user wrote. “It makes zero sense to make it more difficult for law abiding citizens to legally protect themselves.”
Regardless of the issue, it should be concerning to all citizens that a federal judge says something is unconstitutional and the government’s response is a “dangerous ruling”.
It makes zero sense to make it more difficult for law abiding citizens to legally protect themselves.
— SomeWhereDownTheMiddle (@SomeWhereDTM) December 31, 2023
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Melissa Fine is the former executive editor of Casino Player, Strictly Slots, and Poker
Digest magazines. She is a UCLA graduate, news junkie, and dedicated Stargate SG-
1 fan. Melissa currently lives with her dog and two cats in a tiny town in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
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