In January, two mass shootings rocked the state of California. In Half Moon Bay, four people were killed and 14 wounded when a 19-year-old opened fire at a crowded party. Just days later, another shooting in Monterey Park left two dead and six injured.
In response to these tragedies, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced his support for Senate Bill 2, which would tighten the state’s already restrictive gun laws. If passed, the bill would raise the minimum age for purchasing a firearm to 21, require more training to receive a concealed carry permit, and implement new “sensitive places” restrictions.
Despite having some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, 14 percent of all mass shooting fatalities in the United States have taken place in California since 1982. In fact, 23 mass shootings have occurred in the Golden State since 1982, resulting in 152 deaths.
It’s clear that current gun laws are not working to prevent mass shootings in California. So what makes Governor Newsom and other proponents of Senate Bill 2 think that more restrictions will make a difference?
The answer is simple: they don’t. The only thing that stricter gun laws will do is make it harder for law-abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights. And that’s not something we should be willing to sacrifice in the name of false security.
