California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a Constitutional amendment that would significantly alter the meaning of the 2nd Amendment.
Newsom’s proposal is for a 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Amendment would not alter the 2nd Amendment itself, but would alter it in all practicality.
Newsom says of the proposal in a press release from his office,
The 28th Amendment will enshrine in the Constitution common sense gun safety measures that Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and gun owners overwhelmingly support – while leaving the 2nd Amendment unchanged and respecting America’s gun-owning tradition.
-Gov. Newsom Press Release
What exactly are the “gun safety measures” that Newsom is referring to?
The proposals listed in the press release are the common gun control issues that have been at the forefront of the 2nd Amendment battle for years.
-Ban so-called “assault weapons.” The proposal doesn’t mention whether current firearms would be grandfathered in or not.
-Raise the minimum age to purchase a firearm to 21.
-Implementing a “reasonable waiting period” when purchasing a firearm. No mention is made of what “reasonable” means.
-Mandating Universal Background Checks.
What exactly are “assault weapons” according to Newsom? It’s unclear and undefined in the press release. States with bans on specific types of firearms aren’t all the same.
The age limit issue is facing its own challenges in courts as some states have already raised the age limit.
Waiting periods still exist in a few states, but what time period Newsom would push for isn’t mentioned in the press release. Is it three days, ten days, a month, or even a year?
2nd Amendment Daily News asked Idaho Second Amendment Alliance Political Director, Christy Zito, her thoughts on Newsom’s proposal. She said,
Thankfully, Newsome is unlikely to gather enough support to make this happen. Perhaps he is doing it in preparation for a presidential run?
As for the proposals themselves, the 2nd Amendment is clear that there can be no infringements, and every proposal by Gov. Newsom is an infringement. Additionally, the proposals won’t actually solve any problems and will only make crime worse. Criminals simply don’t care about the law. That’s why they are criminals.
-Christy Zito, ISAA Political Director
Speculation that Newsom is running for President of the United States has increased in recent weeks. Newsom has said he is not running, but Democrat insiders are said to be growing weary of the Biden campaign.
What do you think of Newsom’s proposal? Let us know in the comments below!
