In California, a recently enacted law prohibiting the carrying of concealed guns in most public places has come into force on Monday after a federal appeals court lifted a lower-court injunction. The law remains in effect as legal challenges against it proceed through the judicial system.
The legislation aims to restrict individuals, even those with permits, from carrying concealed firearms in 26 designated spaces, including parks, playgrounds, sidewalks, school parking areas, churches, banks, and zoos.
Late in December, a U.S. district judge had blocked the law, asserting that it infringed upon the 2nd Amendment, as reported by AP. However, a federal appeals court issued a stay on that ruling over the weekend, allowing the law to take effect on New Year’s Day.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office welcomed the appeals court’s decision, stating that it would maintain “common-sense gun laws” while the district court’s ruling is appealed. Governor Newsom expressed his commitment to advocating for more robust gun laws in 2024.
In response, the California Rifle and Pistol Association, which had filed the lawsuit to block the law, criticized the appeals court’s ruling on Monday. They argued that it lacked support “from the law and the facts” and affirmed their determination to continue the legal challenge to overturn the legislation.
This development is part of a broader set of laws coming into effect on January 1 in California, with additional regulations scheduled to become operational later in the year. The ongoing legal battles surrounding the concealed carry ban underscore the contentious nature of gun control measures in the state.