Moms Demand Action Volunteers, Governor Newsom, Attorney General Bonta and Senator Portantino Held a Press Conference to Introduce Gun Safety Legislation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety grassroots networks, released the following statement applauding Senator Portantino, alongside Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, for introducing SB 2, legislation to strengthen existing concealed carry laws in response to SCOTUS’ dangerous ruling in Bruen which undermined one of California’s critical gun safety laws.
“The Supreme Court’s reckless Bruen decision opened up the floodgates for more guns in more places — but with this bill California once again renewed its commitment to being a national leader in the fight against gun violence,” said Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action. “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.”
“Only in America do we see the kind of carnage and chaos of gun violence that destroys our communities and our sense of safety and belonging,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “America is number 1 in gun ownership and we far surpass every developed nation on Earth in gun deaths – it’s not complicated. In California, we’ve passed common sense gun safety laws and they work: we have a 37% lower gun death rate than the national average. We’re doubling down on gun safety and strengthening our public carry law to protect it from radical Republican attacks.”
“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 25th District Senator 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.”
“My heart aches for the families impacted by the recent mass shootings in our state, and the fear and sadness that follows in the wake of such senseless gun violence,” said Mary Duplat, a gun violence survivor and California Moms Demand Action volunteer who spoke at today’s press conference. “I am proud to see California leading the fight to end gun violence once and for all.”
This critical legislation is designed to update and strengthen the portions of California’s licensing law that were weakened by the Bruen decision and to address the potential dangers posed by an increased number of people carrying concealed firearms in California, including by prohibiting guns from playgrounds, preschools, college campuses, polling places, and other sensitive locations. 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 or Students Demand Action about advocacy and gun violence prevention in the state, please reach out to [email protected].
