SAN FRANCISCO – A recent California law restricting the possession of guns in most public spaces has faced further legal challenges after a U.S. appeals court ruling.
The law, signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in Sept. 2023, was initially blocked by a U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney in December. The judge ruled that the law violated the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which protects the right to keep and bear arms. The law had been in effect for just five days before it was halted by the U.S. appeals court.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dissolved the temporary injunction on Saturday, reinstating the district judge’s ruling and indicating that arguments in the case will be heard in April. The law prohibits individuals from carrying concealed guns in 26 categories of public spaces, including hospitals, playgrounds, public transportation, stadiums, amusement parks, and museums.
Despite the setback, Governor Newsom’s office has vowed to continue defending the state’s gun safety measures and progress. The law has been challenged by gun rights organizations, including the California Rifle and Pistol Association.
California has been known for its strict gun laws, and this recent legislation is part of a broader effort to enhance gun control measures and address gun violence. The U.S. has one of the highest rates of gun deaths among wealthy countries, with nearly 43,000 people dying from gun violence in 2023, according to the Gun Violence Archive.
This legal battle over California’s gun possession law reflects the ongoing debate over gun rights and public safety measures in the United States. The state’s efforts to tighten gun regulations are part of a larger national conversation about the balance between the Second Amendment rights and public safety concerns.