SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to limit where people can carry concealed guns after multiple mass shootings left dozens dead across the state in January, calling for more restrictions in a state that already has some of the nation's toughest gun laws.
He endorsed legislation Wednesday that would ban people from carrying concealed guns into churches, public libraries, zoos, amusement parks, playgrounds, banks and all other privately owned businesses that are open to the public. The rule wouldn't apply if the business owner puts up a sign that says concealed guns are allowed.
It would also ban anyone younger than 21 from having a permit to carry their gun concealed and would require all permit holders to have more training, including on how to safely store and transport guns.
California and half a dozen other states previously had laws that required people to give a reason if they wanted to carry a concealed gun in public — like citing a direct threat to their public safety.
But a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last year struck down those laws, making it easier for people in those states to get a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
California Democrats tried to pass new rules last year — and they would have succeeded, had it not been for a strategic blunder requiring a two-thirds vote of the Legislature so the bill could take effect immediately. Democrats could not round up enough support, and the bill died.
Newsom and legislative Democrats vowed to double down on passing a new law this year. Their cause came with renewed urgency, after mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay left 18 people dead and 10 others wounded. In total, the state had six mass shootings in January and at least 29 people were killed.
READ MORE ON THE MONTEREY PARK SHOOTING:
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- Families remember those slain in California shooting
- Authorities search for motive in Lunar New Year massacre
- Chief defends delay telling public of mass shooter at-large
- 72-year-old suspect in Lunar New Year fest mass shooting found dead
- Bakersfield man remembers friend lost in Monterey Park: "It is sad to see that was her last dance."
- Monterey Park shooting victims named; police seek motive
- Vice President Harris travels to Monterey Park to honor mass shooting victims
- Death toll in Monterey Park mass shooting rises to 11
- Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaims Lunar New Year as state holiday in honor of Monterey Park shooting victims
READ MORE ON THE HALF MOON BAY SHOOTING:
- Mass shooting sends shockwaves through Half Moon Bay community
- Half Moon Bay shooting suspect had legally purchased weapon
- Suspect in Half Moon Bay farm killings faces 7 murder counts
- 7 killed in two related Northern California shootings, suspect in custody
- Official: 7 killed in California community; suspect arrested
- 7 dead as California mourns 3rd mass killing in 8 days
- Farmworker tells TV station he killed 7 on California farms
- Farm where 4 were killed had separate shooting last summer
