Today, lawmakers return to the State Capitol for the first day of the state legislative session in California. In recent years, the state has had one of the lowest rates of gun violence in the country as lawmakers continue to lead on gun violence prevention. This legislative session, the legislature has an opportunity to build on that progress, and continue to make California a national leader in the fight against gun violence. California is a clear example of how strong laws work to save lives, yet there is still work to be done.
In recent years, California has taken important actions to stop the flood of ghost guns from the streets and fight daily gun violence directly by investing in evidence-based community violence intervention programs. But last year, lawmakers failed to pass a measure in response to the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen, which struck down a state law that ensured people were not carrying firearms in public unless they had a specific need to do so. Now, Californians no longer have that protective measure in place and we expect to see more guns in public as a result.
This session, lawmakers have an opportunity to make things right, and build on the progress of the last decade by getting this important bill across the finish line. The measure should ensure that people who are under restraining orders or who have had a recent history of violent behavior cannot carry guns in public, and must also require that anyone carrying guns in public to receive specific and comprehensive training.
More information on Gun Violence in California:
- In an average year, 3,160 people die and 7,293 are wounded by guns in California – the 37th-highest rate of gun violence in the US.
- It has the 45th-highest societal cost of gun violence in the US at $1,060 per person each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost California $41.9 billion, of which $1.1 billion is paid by taxpayers.
- In California, 50% of gun deaths are suicide and 45% are homicides. This is compared to 59% and 38% nationwide, respectively.
More information about gun violence in California is available here.
If you have questions, or to request an interview with a volunteer from California Moms Demand Action about advocacy and gun violence prevention in the state, please reach out to [email protected].
