YUBA CITY — A potential legal clash with statewide implications may be on the horizon in Yuba City, as the county sheriff and district attorney assert their commitment to upholding constituents’ constitutional rights, even if it means potentially violating a state law.
District Attorney Jennifer Dupre and Sheriff Brandon Barnes of Sutter County are taking a firm stance against enforcing a new state law that prohibits individuals with concealed weapon permits from carrying firearms in most public places.
Expressing concerns over the law, Dupre stated, “I think there are so many questions that haven’t been answered. There are so many unintended consequences that might occur.”
The legislation at the center of their objections is Senate Bill 2.
“We’ve gotten no guidance,” Dupre remarked. “Then, it just got enacted, got stayed, and then the injunction got lifted. So we’re all shooting in the dark somewhat, too.”
Addressing how they plan to navigate the new law, Dupre clarified, “They wanted to know, basically, from my office’s point of view: is there going to be blanket prosecution in every single case?” She emphasized that such an approach would not be taken.
While a federal district judge initially halted the law’s implementation, a federal appeals court swiftly reversed the decision as the legal process unfolded.
“It’s pretty rare to have an injunction lifted so quickly and by another court,” noted Dupre.
Local residents, including Henry Chimes of Marysville, who owns union guns and gear, support the county officials’ position. Chimes voiced agreement, stating, “Most of the citizens here believe in the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms and carry arms in a lawful manner.”
He also expressed concern about the ambiguity surrounding the delineation between federal and state law. “It’s now getting confusing. There’s people who are unhappy with it, and it’s going to be a problem,” he said.
State Senator Anthony Portantino authored the original bill, defending its intent by saying, “We’re not the Wild West. We might be California, and we might be on the West Coast, but you have to have some sanity in these conversations.”
Governor Gavin Newsom, in support of the law, has argued that it aims to target wrongdoers and “is not about attacking law-abiding gun owners.”
However, Dupre contends that those following the law may be the ones adversely affected. “Somebody was asking me how many cases we’ve had involving people with CCWs, and, granted I’ve only been in office a year, we’ve had zero.”
While a federal appeals court has imposed a temporary hold on the injunction, the state could still face legal challenges that might result in overturning the law.