The bill is driven in part by a need to align the state鈥檚 concealed carry laws after some provisions. The court found New York鈥檚 鈥� and those in many other blue states, including California 鈥� concealed weapons law was too restrictive.
As a result, (D-La Canada Flintridge), would remove provisions requiring a 鈥済ood moral character鈥� and 鈥済ood cause鈥� for those seeking concealed weapons permits.
But state lawmakers also want to restrict firearms from certain public places, including public transit, parks, stadiums, amusement parks, banks and more. The bill would ban firearms in those places, though in some cases, business owners would be able to post signs stating that licensed permit holders are allowed to carry concealed weapons.
鈥淚 will be signing this legislation,鈥� Newsom said, backed by state lawmakers and gun violence prevention advocates Wednesday. 鈥淕un safety saves lives. More guns equals more lives lost.鈥�
The bill would also raise the minimum age to hold a concealed weapons permit from 18 to 21.
Lawmakers and Attorney General Rob Bonta say they believe the provision will hold up to legal scrutiny, despite a federal judge ruling last year the state鈥檚 ban on the sale of.
鈥淭he general gun purchase age in California is 21,鈥� Portantino said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 consistent with California law and we think it鈥檚 going to withstand constitutional muster.鈥�
Bonta added that the default ban on concealed weapons in many public places is currently undergoing a legal challenge in New York, which could affect whether that provision stays in the bill. He said he believes it 鈥渟trikes the right balance between property ownership rights and gun safety.鈥�
鈥淥f course we have private property ownership rights,鈥� he said. Under the proposal, 鈥渢he default is concealed carry weapons are not allowed. If you affirmatively state that you, on your own property, want to allow them, then the bill allows for that.鈥�
The National Rifle Association has listed this year. NRA Spokesman Lars Dalseide called the bill 鈥渁 political stunt that will not make Californians any safer.鈥�
A similar bill failed to pass on the final night of the legislative session last August. That version was crafted to take effect immediately and needed a two-thirds majority to pass.
The version introduced this year does not include an urgency clause, though Portantino said he may add one in at a later time.
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