In what many Americans would regard as an unthinkable move, California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is demanding that the right to bear arms be repealed.
According to Breitbart, Newsom put out a tweet on Thursday in which he proposed a new constitutional amendment that would allow for more gun restrictions.
Part of the governor's proposal involves raising the minimum age for all firearm purchases to 21. Federal law currently allows those who are 18 to buy shotguns and rifles from a licensed dealer although states may permit possession at younger ages.
NEW: I’m proposing the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to help end our nation’s gun violence crisis.
The American people are sick of Congress’ inaction.
The 28th will enshrine 4 widely supported gun safety freedoms -- while leaving the 2nd Amendment intact:
1)… pic.twitter.com/ZJ7fyfH0Cf
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 8, 2023
He also wants to outlaw private gun transfers by implementing a universal background check system and impose "a reasonable waiting period for gun purchases."
Finally, Newsom wishes to ban "the civilian purchase of assault weapons," a term for which he provides no formal definition.
"Every time it's the same. They tell us we can't stop these massacres," the governor can be heard saying in a video accompanying his tweet.
"They tell us we have to stand by and watch tragedy after tragedy unfold in our communities. They say we can't stop domestic terrorism without violating the Second Amendment. And that thoughts and prayers are the best we can do," he continues.
"I'm here to say that's a lie," Newsom insists before adding, "In this country, we do have the power, the power to change things. To reclaim our freedom from fear."
Interestingly, a study by the Statista Research Department found that Newsom's home state has had more mass shootings over the past four decades than any other.
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— Traffic News Los Angeles | TNLA (@TrafficNewsLA) January 22, 2023
This is despite the fact that California has some of the nation's most restrictive firearm laws and receives an F-rating from the anti-gun Giffords Law Center.
OPD is investigating a shooting that occurred on January 23, 2023, in the 5900 block of Macarthur Blvd, just after 6:00 PM.
More in the link:https://t.co/6YDUBjSzvf#SAFEOAKLAND pic.twitter.com/6rmYB7bixp
— Oakland Police Dept. (@oaklandpoliceca) January 24, 2023
That includes limiting gun sales to those aged 21 and older, prohibiting private sales, imposing a 10-day waiting period, and banning many semi-automatic firearms.
