Besides the Dobbs ruling, the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn New York’s concealed carry law has liberals up in arms. (RELATED: Radicals Across America Violently React to Roe Reversal)
Now California offers a blueprint for blue states hoping to cling to their strict gun laws in defiance of the court. (RELATED: Breaking Down Mass Public Shooting Data From 1998 Through 2022)
The Golden State’s gun permit application process currently requires that residents show “good cause” before being issued a concealed carry permit.
And the state is hoping to keep it that way — by any means necessary.
In response to the court’s pro-gun ruling in Bruen, California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) sent a letter to law enforcement agencies claiming America’s biggest blue state could deny permits to people without a criminal record. (RELATED: Police Group Intensifies Ad Blitz Against Left’s Gun-Grabbing Plot)
Despite its impact, Bonta claimed SCOTUS’ ruling won’t affect California’s requirement for applicants to demonstrate that they’re of “good moral character.”
Based on that, Bonta argued the state could continue to act as the ultimate arbiter in deciding if law-abiding applicants demonstrated “hatred and racism” in the past, thereby disqualifying themselves.
Reason’s Eugene Volokh has more on California’s scheme to deny carry licenses:
Other jurisdictions list the personal characteristics one reasonably expects of candidates for a public-carry license who do not pose a danger to themselves or others. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department’s policy, for example, currently provides as follows: “Legal judgments of good moral character can include consideration of honesty, trustworthiness, diligence, reliability, respect for the law, integrity, candor, discretion, observance of fiduciary duty, respect for the rights of others, absence of hatred and racism, fiscal stability, profession-specific criteria such as pledging to honor the constitution and uphold the law, and the absence of criminal conviction.” [Emphasis added.]
As a starting point for purposes of investigating an applicant’s moral character, many issuing authorities require personal references and/or reference letters. Investigators may personally interview applicants and use the opportunity to gain further insight into the applicant’s character. And they may search publicly-available information, including social media accounts, in assessing the applicant’s character. [Emphasis added.]
Hot Air blogger Jazz Shaw continues:
As Volokh goes on to explain, this entire scheme appears to be completely unconstitutional. It’s a violation of the First Amendment before we even begin to examine how it would hold up under the Second Amendment. The government is not allowed to restrict your actions or suspend your Constitutional rights based on the viewpoints you express, even if they are unpopular with the current regime.
…
Volokh correctly describes the words “hatred” and “racism” as being “potentially extraordinarily broad and vague terms.” Of course they are. And that’s more true than ever in the current climate as I described above.
So, what do you think? Is there anything that would get you to move to California given its shoddy record on constitutional rights? As always, tell us in the comments below!
(H/T Hot Air)
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of American Liberty News.
READ NEXT: Biden Signs Congressional Gun Control Package >>
Patrick Houck is an avid political enthusiast based out of the Washington, D.C., metro area. His expertise is in campaigns and the use of targeted messaging to persuade voters. When not combing through the latest news, you can find him enjoying the company of family and friends or pursuing his love of photography.
To Take away our Guns, NO
As a California native I am thoroughly disgusted by everything that comes out of the Bizarro Land known as Sacramento, this 1984 scenario being the latest example.
Anything to keep us disarmed & vulnerable to the criminal element & dependent on the government for protection. And then, when they are ready to take away all your God given rights as enumerated in the Constitution, how will we fight back? Just like Hitler with the German populace, we won’t!
Monkey pox infects California thinking, Maxine Walters, Alexandria Cortez (AOC) Speaker Pelosi, caught trash talking against the high court decision overturning Roe vs Wade. could this be a different type of infection, spreading from monkey pox? effecting the minds of democrat women in politics? What could be causing such violent outrages behavior for public officials?
ok as a native Californian, I remember being able to buy a gun mail order from a Sears Catalogue. there were no mass shootings then. On one hand I’d like to get a CCW. The hesitation is 1) getting carte-blanch denied, 2) now I’m on a list. 3) getting approved and now I’m on a list. Where is the upside???
The upside might be if some illegal or drug crazed maniac decides to attack you with a machete you would be able to defend yourself, thereby continue to live. Or you could just move to a reasonable state that is comfortably red in nature.
I am a California resident and I have a CCW permit. The process was straight forward and uncomplicated. Only complaint is it took too long (about 6 months). The “good cause” is unconstitutional In my opinion but permit was issued. I carry regularly.
America is headed for a 2nd American Revolution. Don’t expect the fraudulent AG Garland to weigh in on the matter. Garland should be telling the States, they have to obey the law, garland is anti-2nd Amendment.
just another in your face reason to leave CA. but if you for leave CA make sure you leave CA thinking in CA. No one wants a CA citizen to come yo their state with CA opinions, life style or attitude!
So, now it’s; ‘California Dreamin (Of Leavin)’
Using California Democrat vision of ideology for gun permits could result in burn and loot practitioners armed and victims disarmed as haters for objecting to violence.
Lefty Kalifornia policritters have been (not) issuing firearms permits according to ideology for the last 50 years. Nothing has changed.
Let’s go, Brandon! Remember in November.
First of all there isn’t a politician in California who qualifies for a gun permit. They’re all corrupt and none of them show good moral character in any way. This is against all laws. You would deny someone a permit to carry a concealed weapon and if that person was killed by another person who illegally carried a gun, then you are responsible for that murder. You people in politics think you rule the world like some nazi lotus, well guess what…. youre all so guilty of so many crimes but never get sentenced because you all have so much on each other that you hide the truth and have each others back for fear you would be next. How dare you think you should have this much control over people. Im telling you for your own good, if you keep this up you will not like the results. There will be a revolution in this country if we do not get rid of the nazi democrats now. if you do not impeach biden, Harris, pelosi, and all the other corrupt politicians now, you will pay in the end.
We left California a year ago. It was the soonest we could get away. We look at Los Angeles today and thank God that we are not there anymore.