9th Circuit’s Decision Halts Implementation of California’s Controversial Gun-Carry Ban
A U.S. appeals court ruling has restrained California from enforcing a newly passed gun-control law that prohibits carrying firearms in most public areas, citing its potential unconstitutionality.
Court Rulings and Unveiled Opposition
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dissolved a prior order that suspended a judge’s injunction, upholding the decision that deemed California’s law unconstitutional under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The recent ruling revoked the temporary suspension, re-imposing the injunction against enforcing the law.
“This halts the politicians’ attempt to circumvent the Second Amendment for the time being,” stated C.D. Michel, representing the gun rights groups opposing the law.
Legal Battles and Pending Appeals
California’s appeal against the injunction is slated for an April hearing. The state’s attorney general argued that blocking the law could elevate the risk of gun violence for tens of millions of Californians.
The legislation, known as SB2, aimed to restrict carrying firearms in designated “sensitive places,” effectively curtailing Second Amendment rights, as ruled by U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney.
Judge’s Verdict and Implications
Judge Carney’s injunction stated that the law “unconstitutionally deprived” carry permit holders of their right to bear arms for self-defense in public. He critiqued California’s intentional disregard of the landmark 2022 Supreme Court ruling and criticized the law’s broad coverage, designating numerous public places as “sensitive,” where carrying handguns would be prohibited.
Kostas Moros, representing the California Pistol and Rifle Association, emphasized the restoration of the status quo, allowing law-abiding citizens with concealed carry permits to resume carrying firearms.
Political Responses and Ongoing Controversy
In response, a spokesperson for Governor Gavin Newsom expressed concern over the court’s decision, citing its potential impact on Californians’ safety. The SB2 law, signed by Governor Newsom last year, remains a subject of controversy and will undergo further legal scrutiny.
