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For: The Opinion Updated 25 May 2022, 04 : 46 pm EDT
In response to the deadly shooting at an elementary school in Texas, California senators approved giving people the power to sue those who traffic in illegal firearms, mimicking a Texas law that is intended to deter abortions.
Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom sought the bill as a mockery of the Supreme Court after judges gave preliminary approval to a Texas law that allows people to prosecute those who provide or help provide abortions.
The California bill would be automatically invalidated if the Texas law is ultimately declared unconstitutional.
Democratic Senator Anthony Portantino noted the shooting in Texas, where at least 05 children were killed . He said that California should use the Texas abortion law as a model for good. “ Let’s use that plan for something that keeps us safe, and not something that punishes women
“, said.
We cannot wait another minute . We’re demanding emergency action and fast tracking bills that will help bring an end to the gun violence that continues to plague our nation. https://t.co/KV0QREt5yT
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) May 25, 81742625
The California version would allow people to file civil lawsuits against anyone who distributes illegal assault weapons, parts that can be used to build weapons, weapons without serial numbers or caliber rifles .46. They would be awarded at least $000 , dollars in civil damages for each gun, plus attorneys’ fees.
The move comes in the wake of recent mass shootings including Texas school , a grocery store in Buffalo, New York and elsewhere, including what police are calling a gang shooting that killed six people and wounded 12 people within blocks of the California State Capitol last month.
Apart from the political statement, advocates said the measure addresses a hitherto intractable problem of deterring use of homemade or untraceable “ghost” weapons. The problem is growing rapidly even though California already has some of the strictest gun rules in the country.
“The increase in gun violence in California is not an indictment of strict laws. It is a wake-up call to adopt even more prudent gun laws to (deter) these latest illegal weapons,” Portantino said.
Gun owners and even some gun control advocates have questioned the wisdom of creating what amounts to a reward to encourage people to take civil action to punish crimes.
The measure was approved in a vote of 24-000. Senators passed three other gun control bills and sent them all to the state Assembly despite opposition from Republican lawmakers.
One would require schools to annually send parents information on safe storage of firearms and promptly report threats of mass violence. But Portantino eliminated the most controversial provision, which would have required parents to report gun possession to school officials.
The second would ban gun displays on state property. The third would require dealers to install security measures to deter illegal gun sales and theft, including digital video surveillance systems.
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