California Governor Pushes for 28th Amendment: Democratic Gun-Control Policies at Stake
California Governor Gavin Newsom is making a bold move by spearheading an effort to amend the United States Constitution. The state’s legislature recently approved a resolution in support of Newsom’s call for a 28th Constitutional amendment, with the aim of enshrining a list of Democratic gun-control policy priorities into federal law.
Newsom’s proposed Right to Safety Amendment includes several provisions aimed at increasing gun control measures in the country. These include limiting legal gun ownership to adults aged 21 and older, implementing universal federal background checks on gun sales, establishing a mandatory waiting period for gun purchases, and banning the acquisition of certain types of semi-automatic rifles.
Despite these changes, Governor Newsom asserts that the amendment would not impede upon the Second Amendment, which protects the right to bear arms. Instead, he believes that it would preserve the integrity of the Second Amendment while introducing common-sense safety provisions that enjoy widespread support among the American people.
However, the prospects of this amendment becoming law face significant challenges. Any proposed amendment to the Constitution must be approved by three-fourths of state legislatures, and with Republicans holding a majority in many states, this could prove to be an uphill battle for Newsom’s proposal.
It is worth noting that many of the provisions outlined in the amendment are already in effect in California. Despite having some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation, the state has experienced a high number of mass shootings. However, when considering gun-death rates, California ranks eighth-lowest among the 50 states in 2021, according to the Giffords Law Center.
California’s Assembly recently passed Newsom’s proposal with a 51-14 vote, although some Democrats opted not to vote. This highlights the ongoing debate and differing opinions surrounding gun control issues.
Ultimately, the fate of Newsom’s amendment will depend on the willingness of state legislatures to support it. With the need for two-thirds of state legislatures to vote in favor of a convention, it remains to be seen if there will be enough support for the proposal to move forward. As the push for gun control continues to be a contentious issue in the United States, the outcome of this amendment will undoubtedly be a topic of intense debate and discussion in the coming months.
