California Lawmakers Announce Legislation to Strengthen State’s Existing Concealed Carry Laws

Press release from the Office of Attorney General Rob Bonta:

Hands holding a gun [Matt LaFever] Gunshot wound icon

California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, with Governor Newsom, Senator Anthony Portantino, and other legislative leaders, introduced legislation, Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), to strengthen California’s existing concealed carry weapon (CCW) laws in a manner consistent with the U.S. Supreme Court decision in New York Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. The legislation — authored by Senator Portantino and sponsored by Attorney General Bonta and Governor Newsom — would further protect the public safety of Californians by specifying who may obtain a CCW license, limiting the possession of firearms in certain sensitive locations, and advancing safety through stronger training requirements on the safe handling and storage of firearms. Gun violence remains a growing threat to public safety throughout the nation. On average, there are over 120 gun deaths each day and nearly 45,000 each year in the United States. In 2020, firearms were the leading cause of death for children nationwide.

“The mass shooting incidents we have seen over recent weeks bring to light the need for stronger protections for our communities,” said Attorney General Rob Bonta. “The fact is, individuals who are not law-abiding, responsible citizens simply shouldn’t possess firearms — and they especially shouldn’t be allowed to carry a concealed weapon in public. When a gun is placed in the wrong hands, it is deadly. The Second Amendment is not a regulatory straitjacket — we must protect our communities. The time for thoughts and prayers has long passed: we need brave and immediate action by our leaders — here in California and beyond. We owe our community stronger protections. I urge our state leaders to quickly adopt SB 2. We can’t afford to wait even one minute more.”

“In the wake of the recent tragedies in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay and the continued threat of mass shootings, it’s critical that California leads on the issue of gun safety and reform,” said Senator Anthony Portantino. “I am proud to be working with Governor Newsom, Attorney General Bonta, and activists on SB 2 to strengthen our existing concealed carry laws and ensure every Californian is safe from gun violence. We must be diligent in addressing the gun violence epidemic in our country and concealed carry laws are a key component of this.”

“The Supreme Court’s reckless Bruen decision opened up the floodgates for more guns in more places — but with this bill California once again renews its commitment to being a national leader in the fight against gun violence,” said Shannon Watts, California resident and founder of Moms Demand Action, part of Everytown’s grassroots network. “While the gun industry celebrated the ruling that put their profits over our safety, our grassroots army is proud to stand with our Gun Sense Champions in California to pass this critical bill and make our communities safer.”

“Following the Supreme Court’s egregious decision in the Bruen case, it is vital that the Golden State take meaningful action to protect all Californians from the threat of gun violence,” said Brady President Kris Brown. “SB 2 would do just this by updating and improving the state’s already strong concealed carry license system, and ensure that loaded and concealed weapons are not allowed in certain sensitive places. With SB 2, leaders in California are continuing their leadership in prioritizing the public health and safety of all its citizens. Brady applauds Senator Portantino for introducing this important bill, and thanks Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta for their continued leadership on this issue, and urges the California legislature to pass it without delay.”

“In the face of tragedy, California’s leaders act. They’ve led the nation on gun safety reform and made California a much safer state than most. But today, grieving communities know all too well how much more work there is to do,” said Ari Freilich, State Policy Director for Giffords. “California achieved an all-time record low gun fatality rate in 2019. But like the rest of the country, we have faced record spikes in gun sales and violence since the start of the pandemic and a flood of new weapons in public spaces as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s dangerous Second Amendment ruling last year. Passing SB 2 will strengthen communities’ ability to respond to these threats by requiring stronger vetting and safety training to carry weapons in public and by designating vital community spaces like parks and playgrounds as off-limits to weapons throughout the state. We thank leaders like Governor Newsom, Attorney General Bonta, and Senator Portantino for their work and commitment to make all Californians safer and freer from violence.”

In 2020, more Americans died by gun death than any other year on record. Although the United States is an outlier when compared to gun violence in other wealthy nations, states with strong gun violence protections in place see fewer gun-related deaths. Already in 2023, the United States has seen 43 mass shootings, including six tragedies over the past two weeks in California in Goshen, Monterey Park, Half Moon Bay, Oakland, San Diego, and Beverly Crest — dozens of lives lost, and still more seriously injured. Despite having one of the lowest rates of gun-related deaths in the nation, California is not immune to this uniquely American problem, and has a strong interest in maintaining laws that protect the safety of its citizens.

Research shows that strong licensing laws are effective. States that have weakened permitting laws have experienced an up to 15% increase in violent crime rates a decade after implementation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, California’s gun death rate was the 44th lowest in the nation, with 8.5 gun deaths per 100,000 people. California’s gun death rate for children is also lower than other states, and is 58% lower than the national average. California’s overall gun death rate is lower than that of every state that does not require permits to carry guns in public, including Mississippi with 28.6 deaths per 100,000 people; 25.9 in Wyoming; 28.6 in Mississippi; 23.9 in Missouri; 23.6 in Alabama; 23.5 in Arkansas; 21.3 in Tennessee; 20.9 in Montana; 20.7 in Oklahoma; 20.1 in Kentucky; 18.1 in West Virginia; 17.6 in Idaho; 14.2 in Texas; 13.6 in Utah; 11.6 in Vermont; 11.2 in Iowa; 10.4 in Maine; and 8.9 in New Hampshire.

While the United States Supreme Court has concluded that the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution imposes some restrictions on states’ ability to regulate firearms, it has also recognized that the Second Amendment allows states to adopt a variety of gun regulations. For example, the Supreme Court has repeatedly recognized that states may restrict the carrying of firearms in “sensitive places” and that states may prohibit individuals who are not law-abiding, responsible citizens from carrying firearms in public. SB 2 builds on those principles and improves California’s existing CCW license law by:

  • Enhancing the existing comprehensive licensing regime that helps ensure those permitted to carry firearms in public are responsible and law-abiding individuals who do not pose a danger to themselves or others;
  • Protecting children and young adults from gun violence by setting a minimum age requirement of 21 years of age to obtain a CCW license;
  • Advancing safety through stronger training requirements about the proper handling, loading, unloading, and storage of firearms; and
  • Safeguarding the public by identifying certain sensitive public places where guns may not be carried.

The legislation may be found here.

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Truth Be Told
Member
Truth Be Told
1 year ago

This legislation does nothing to prevent criminals from carrying concealed weapons.

Instead it further restricts citizens who’ve completed training, applied, and been approved by local law enforcement to lawfully possess a concealed weapon.

Gov. Newsom and AG Bonta shamelessly invoke recent mass shootings – but restricting where law abiding citizens may carry concealed weapons further gives the upper hand to criminals and reduces public safety.

This is a classic case of making a problem worse while pretending to solve it.

Martin
Guest
Martin
1 year ago
Reply to  Truth Be Told

I agree with you comment 110%.

Ariolimax
Member
Ariolimax
1 year ago
Reply to  Truth Be Told

I agree 100%. More propaganda legislation for the Democrats that does nothing to stop the plague of mass shootings. Based on the statistics I’ve seen, the main way to stop gun violence is to require gun safety certification before you can purchase a gun, combined with a background check, which California already does. Crazy gun violence is part of the mental health crisis, which the California Democratic party has abdicated from addressing for a half century, until just last year. It’s been easier to keep blaming Reagan and pump up party donations with never-solve-the-problem rhetoric.

Truth Be Told
Member
Truth Be Told
1 year ago
Reply to  Ariolimax

Newsom’s Care Court is a very small step towards reversing 50 years of allowing mentally ill and drug addicted people to decide if they need treatment or not. Meanwhile, they’re free to roam our streets acting out their mental illness and/or drug fueled dysfunctional and often criminal behavior. Don’t expect this to change as long as treatment is voluntary.

Truth Be Told
Member
Truth Be Told
1 year ago
Reply to  Truth Be Told

It’s cruel to leave the mentally ill to suffer untreated on our streets. And stupid to let the drug addicts roam free.

Villian
Member
Villian
1 year ago
Reply to  Truth Be Told

Truth be told,(for real) there’s been one incident in the past few years where a “good guy with a gun” actually stopped a shooting. Of course he was out of compliance with his permit and fortunate he didn’t join the other “good guys with a gun” who were either shot by the assailant, their accomplices, another “good guy with a gun” or the police.
If you’re walking around with a gun; you’re looking for trouble. Period. Otherwise you wouldn’t have a gun. Unless you’re just a coward who needs a gun to get groceries or a cup of coffee. In which case a gun isn’t gonna help. (I hear there may be a pharmaceutical solution)
This country’s the mess it is because of a bunch of wanna-be Rambo’s who think guns will actually solve a problem or somehow protect them and they’ll vote for who-evverrr they think will let them have more, bigger, better ways to massacre their fellow Americans.
Wanna pack a gun everywhere? Move to Floriduh, or Somalia. Hit me up for a referral to a qualified Realtor.

Lone Ranger
Guest
Lone Ranger
1 year ago
Reply to  Villian

Pharmaceuticals are the answer for 6 months ,just like any drug ,the user slash addict requires more until they don’t work anymore. Crack me up, drugs are the answer if your on the way out.

Lynn H
Guest
Lynn H
1 year ago
Reply to  Villian

There have actually been several. You can google it yourself.
I think a CCP is an excellent choice for any women who frequently travel by themselves.
Can’t help but think people with CCPs are one of the least likely populations for spree shooters.
It would help a great deal if those who both have mental problems and violence problems are listed with the state, as they are supposed to be, so that a background check brings them up and prevents them from buying a gun. Oftentimes people who threaten other people or who perpetrate domestic violence are not charged or listed with the state and later buy a gun, when by law in California they should not be able to.

Lynn H
Guest
Lynn H
1 year ago
Reply to  Lynn H

Better ideas here; The recent Secret Service report analyzing mass shooter psychological profile data from 2016 to 2020. With suggestions; https://www.secretservice.gov/sites/default/files/reports/2023-01/usss-ntac-maps-2016-2020.pdf

Last edited 1 year ago
Mike Morgan
Member
1 year ago

They should just have a law that makes murder illegal. And then prosecute those who violate it. Not release them without bail and pretend to be surprised when the suspect runs away.

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago
Reply to  Mike Morgan

Hey Now- That’s a great idea! We should try that!!

Martin
Guest
Martin
1 year ago
Reply to  Mike Morgan

Murder is illegal now my friend. You are right in saying don’t release them without bail. Don’t release them period until proven innocent by a jury.

Mike Morgan
Member
1 year ago

Oh, and the statistics mentioned above “aren’t quite accurate, you know.”

Alf
Guest
Alf
1 year ago

Not one word of their statement is true. They somehow believe that taking rights away from law abiding citizens will help protect. They are totally backwards. If a city has a crime problem, does that mean we should have less police? That’s exactly the logic this BS Bill uses. The reality is we need more police. We also need more law abiding citizens able to defend themselves. California already has the strictest gun laws in the nation. Apparently not a single criminal cares as we also have the highest number of mass shootings. These crimes are easy in California because criminals know there is little chance of facing resistance. These idiots are just making it even easier thanks to their hatred of the citizens.

Villian
Member
Villian
1 year ago
Reply to  Alf

You need to get a grip. There’s nothing in your comment that’s close to accurate.
I know, it’s that “liberal media” that’s recorded 44 mass shootings in the USA since 01/01/2023 and 3 of them occurred in California. Yeppers dat’s rite.. Why if you had a bigger gun you could just stop all dem shootings ’cause yer Alf on da spot.
Stay away from your neighbor’s cats.

Alf
Guest
Alf
1 year ago
Reply to  Villian

Nothing from a conservative, regardless of fact will ever make sense to a liberal who would rather believe propaganda.

THC
Guest
THC
1 year ago

Was unaware that 19-year-olds were considered children? I don’t think there’s ever been a documented case of a permitted concealed weapon carrier committing a mass shooting. I also don’t know what they would have to do with suicide. And I doubt very many of them are involved in gang related shooting, which makes up about 80% of overall gun crime..
This state is becoming so overwhelmingly orwellian, I just had to tell my two girls yesterday there will be no summer camp this year because they’re required by the state to have 13 vaccinations to attend… So much for your body your choice. On the plus side either one of them could get an abortion without me or their mother even knowing.

Ridgy
Guest
Ridgy
1 year ago
Reply to  THC

Opening remark was on point, they only get guns to be leading cause of death for “children” when 18-19 year olds are included.

Then you almost discredit your whole statement with the non-sequitor about vaccines. Sounds like your family did have a choice not to get whatever vaccines you’re opposed to and those choices have consequences, as they’re finding out, that’s a good lesson right there. Also people’s kids can do a lot of things without their parents’ knowledge. They are, presumably, in control of their own bodies and minds. Plus, legal or not, they could always have gotten an abortion without your knowledge, only now it will be medically safe.

THC
Guest
THC
1 year ago
Reply to  Ridgy

So you don’t think it’s okay for the state to restrict your right to a concealed carry permit. But you’re perfectly okay with them requiring 13 vaccinations and you’re also okay with them giving invasive medical procedures to minors without their parents permission? Anyways, I was just trying to illustrate and highlight the hypocritical thinking that goes on in our bureaucracies policies that are slowly stripping our rights away.

Last edited 1 year ago
I like stars
Guest
I like stars
1 year ago

Rob Bonta is the Attorney General. He is the ultimately the top law enforcement authority in California. If he (and Greasy Gavin) wanted to make California safer, he could use existing laws to aggressively prosecute criminals and push for maximum sentences.

THC
Guest
THC
1 year ago
Reply to  I like stars

Instead they’re passing legislation to revoke maximum sentencing for gun related crimes..

Al L Ivesmatr
Guest
Al L Ivesmatr
1 year ago

Given the huge amount of recent knife attacks and assaults with vehicles, it is far past time both are outlawed in California. People can use single use paper knifes and bikes/horses/skateboards/or their feet to move about. If you are to old or feeble to move about without a car, oh well, have your kids haul you around behind their bike in a red radio flyer wagon. You asked for it liberals, you got it!

thetallone
Guest
thetallone
1 year ago
Reply to  Al L Ivesmatr

Or maybe they could force vehicle owners to register them and take tests to drive them, and have their license revoked if they do not drive responsibly.

old guy
Guest
old guy
1 year ago

should be may law more restrictive, not strengthen the law. hopefully in the future, technology will create an invisible massless gun that can be carried without being concealed or seen. 😉

Uri
Guest
Uri
1 year ago

Never let a good crisis go to waste. These guys are getting so transparent in their deception its almost embarrassing. The gun laws in Chicago, Detroit etc don’t seem to be working.
Are these guys suggesting anyone with an unpaid parking ticket won’t get a conceal carry permit? What level of “criminal” are they suggesting. getting a bill like this passed would lead to anyone posting an “unapproved” comment on Loco won’t get to get a permit.

Festus Haggins
Member
Festus Haggins
1 year ago
Reply to  Uri

Not to derail your post but have you noticed , No more Angie C on LoCo ?. Maybe she got fired or maybe just changed the handle to Mercy me, Mabel

Uri
Guest
Uri
1 year ago
Reply to  Festus Haggins

I haven’t been on Loco since they gave me a “time out”. no reason that I know of except maybe wondering out load how an anonymous “moderator” can cancel people with out ever having a policy for people to follow.
I think Kim does an excellent job and it allows the opportunity for informed community members to bring their perspective. So Thanks Kim. Very much.

just my opinion
Guest
just my opinion
1 year ago

What a stupid move. How about going after the criminals that use guns to commit crimes and enforcing the laws we already have on the books. How about when criminals are arrested they are kept in jail and not let out so easily. Newsom and his liberal friends are just the worst.

Guess
Guest
Guess
1 year ago

Is it April first already? Opposite Day? Seriously How far does your head have to be up your own ass to think this helps protect us more?

Guess
Guest
Guess
1 year ago

And fyi it’s already not easy to get a ccw, written proof you feel you need one a full background check with all finger prints scanned a personal interview with the sheriff, shooting qualification an 8 hr training class followed by a 4 hour classes and shooting qualification every two years to renew. If you have any arrests or marks on your record or you will be flat denied, all weapons get inspected in person by the sheriff before they can be added by serial numbers to a permit. How many criminals are going to go through that?

Guest
Guest
Guest
1 year ago

Another in a long line of laws designed to allow politicians to look like they are doing something when in fact they are doing nothing if not making problems worse. Yes, it would be great to keep guns out of the hands of criminals by law but you have to have a populous that is law abiding for that to work. There can’t be a constant redefining of crime in order to reduce prison population or using the law to make people conform to unpopular social values and expect the public to respect the law. Making law a matter of personal interpretation and creating an atmosphere where the members of public feels constantly abused yet feels entitled to revenge against both individuals and the government because government is so useless in keeping people safe makes for more violence. Idiots…

For example, Mexico has gun laws that basically bans the public from gun ownership yet Mexico’s murder and general crime rate make the US look like a Sunday school meeting. Government can not act so entitled to had behavior itself yet expect the public to be better than they are. Government should not be so full of hate for itself and think that the public will respect it more than they do themselves. Idiots again…

El Barto
Guest
El Barto
1 year ago

And the criminal will take heed. More laws against it’s citizens. Thanks heir Newsom “CALIFORNIA UBER ALIS!”

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago

Wow- I did not know that these mass shooters had faulty concealed carry permits! Oh wait that’s right- they didn’t. So this further restriction doesn’t do anything but restrict the good gun carriers. Gun carriers who are doing it by the law and doing it for reasons of personal security will be restricted further. Hey- at least there are a couple statements in here where the “gun control” leaders are bashing the Supreme Court. Because we all know that the Supreme Court rushes into decisions without much consideration or studying of the constitution. That’s sarcasm in case ya missed it….

Bozo
Guest
Bozo
1 year ago

Reckon that Rob Bonta figures that Newsome will be running for President in 2024… and he want’s to be the next governor of California. Sure gets his name in the news a lot.

Farce
Guest
Farce
1 year ago
Reply to  Bozo

That seems like the plan…the people running the DEM show are already pulling back on Biden and they have been grooming French Laundry Newsom. I can only imagine what a disaster having a President Newsom will do to this country! About as bad as Trump- yeah I said it. Houston- we have a problem…

Guess
Guest
Guess
1 year ago
Reply to  Bozo

What a horrible thought!

Alf
Guest
Alf
1 year ago

I was just thinking about all the unlawful things these 2 idiots have done as well as keep doing. In all honesty, there are the two Californians I would least trust with concealed carry. They keep committing the crime of refusing constitutional carry guaranteed to me and every other citizen by the 2nd ammendment.

Rick
Guest
Rick
1 year ago

Hey lawmakers! Why don’t you keep the dangerous people behind bars for a while? What do you gain by letting them prey on the citizens? Honesty please! Your crappy policies and laws are forcing us to arm, to protect our families and our livelihoods.

GrumpyOldGuyD
Member
1 year ago

A simple gun law could make a significant impact; without penalizing law abiding citizens.

Any crime committed with a gun gets a mandatory 25 year prison sentence,
if found guilty in a court of law. Zero strikes. Go directly to jail. No time off with good behavior.

This would aim the penalty at the criminal, and not the gun.

Alf
Guest
Alf
1 year ago
Reply to  GrumpyOldGuy

Agreed! However capital punishment for those that cause serious injuries or death.

Alf
Guest
Alf
1 year ago

Has anyone noticed all the criminals arrested in the last few days just reported here? How many are still behind bars? How many will our do nothing DA actually prosecute? Is anyone stupid enough to think a single one of them would have decided not to commit their crimes by enacting more gun laws? The answer, for those who wonder is not a single one would have been prevented. What works is tough punishment like hard prison time and capital punishment. What will never work is treating law abiding citizens like criminals by passing unconstitutional laws revoking their constitutional rights. Next time you want to limit gun ownership to conservatives, please revoke the liberal news media their 1st amendment rights by shutting them down. Can anyone imagine the fallout from that, yet there is far more harm done in the name of free press than by law abiding gun owners.

Lynn H
Guest
Lynn H
1 year ago

This is going to have the opposite effect it intends. By leveling the application field across the state, there will potentially be less CCP permits in rural areas (although I doubt by much) and potentially many more permits issued in urban areas like SF bay and LA and thus increasing the total permits overall.

Also, having to produce 3 “witnesses as to good moral character” might eventually bring more opposition from the NAACP and other civil rights orgs than the NRA. It’s a weird dinosaur relic that was used in a lot of older laws that indirectly discriminated against POC and were discarded. It was particularly used in the south to disqualify many Black people from voting. It’s not easy to get people to take time off to witness your “moral character”. Might be a silver lining though as those groups might then also address fees. Right now I think the permit is around $150 pr year and likely to increase. In other states that same permit is $5 pr year.

Last edited 1 year ago
IgnoreUnconstitutionalLawsAndTheJackassesInOffice
Guest
IgnoreUnconstitutionalLawsAndTheJackassesInOffice
1 year ago

“Strengthen concealed carry laws?” The 2nd Amendment says nothing about whether the people can carry concealed or open. Therefore it’s safe to assume the people can carry a gun in anyway they choose. And you’d be surprised how many do carry without a piece of paper that says they can. That old par chimney piece of paper written in 1776 is the only piece of paper the people need to carry any weapon they choose out in the open or in a pocket.

IgnoreUnconstitutionalLawsAndTheJackassesInOffice
Guest
IgnoreUnconstitutionalLawsAndTheJackassesInOffice
1 year ago

“Guns are all around you,
Yeah, guns are hiding, under your nose,
Waiting for you is a firearm or two,
Keep waiting on politicians to protect you”