SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo joined Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Rob Bonta, Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) and California legislators in announcing Senate Bill 2, new gun safety legislation to modernize and strengthen California’s public carry laws. Assemblywoman Carrillo, a member of the Gun Violence Prevention Working Group issued the following statement:
“Last June, the Supreme Court ruled in the New York State Rifles and Pistols V. Bruen case that any concealed carry license law, which requires an applicant to show "good cause" to carry a gun, was unconstitutional. California’s response to that decision is to safeguard communities, remain within the scope of constitutionality and create the most robust and comprehensive conceal weapons policies in the nation,” said Assemblywoman Carrillo.
“It is our most sacred responsibility as representatives of the people to do everything in our power to prevent communities from being terrorized by gun violence. Mass shootings and gun violence leave a long-lasting impact not only on the families and individuals affected but on all communities who now fear going to school, church, movie theaters and general public spaces that should bring joy, not fear. The mental health of the people of California as well as the American public is in a fragile state because of an American-made problem that we need to address. Gun violence and mass shootings have become a norm that we cannot accept. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the legislature to advance this bill to the Governor's desk.”
Senate Bill 2 strengthens California’s restrictions regarding public carry laws by:
- Enhancing the existing licensing system – ensuring those permitted to carry firearms in public are responsible and law-abiding individuals.
- Protecting children – setting a minimum age requirement from 18 to 21 years of age to obtain a carry concealed weapon (CCW) license.
- Advancing stronger training requirements – ensuring proper handling, loading, unloading, and storage of firearms.
- Safeguarding the public – establishing safe community places where firearms aren’t permitted, including but not limited to courts, places of worship, airports, parks, playgrounds and schools.
“In the wake of the recent tragedies in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay and the continued threat of mass shootings, it’s critical that California leads on the issue of gun safety and reform." said Senator Anthony Portantino, principal author of SB 2. "I am proud to be working with Governor Newsom, Attorney General Bonta and activists on SB 2 to strengthen our existing public carry laws and ensure every Californian is safe from gun violence. We must be diligent in addressing the gun violence epidemic in our country and public carry laws are a key component of this.”
“Only in America do we see the kind of carnage and chaos of gun violence that destroys our communities and our sense of safety and belonging,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “America is number 1 in gun ownership and we far surpass every developed nation on Earth in gun deaths – it’s not complicated. In California, we’ve passed common sense gun safety laws and they work: we have a 37% lower gun death rate than the national average. We’re doubling down on gun safety and strengthening our public carry law to protect it from radical Republican attacks.”
“The mass shooting incidents we have seen over recent weeks bring to light the need for stronger protections for our communities. The fact is, individuals who are not law-abiding, responsible citizens simply shouldn’t possess firearms — and they especially shouldn’t be allowed to carry a concealed weapon in public.” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. When a gun is placed in the wrong hands, it is deadly. The Second Amendment is not a regulatory straightjacket — we must protect our communities.”
SB2 is being introduced following two mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay that took the lives of 19 people and injured 10 others within a span of 72 hours. California reaffirms its commitment to creating the strongest gun safety measures in the nation.
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Assemblywoman Wendy Carrillo was elected to the California State Assembly in December of 2017. She serves as the Chair of Budget Subcommittee No. 4 on State Administration, and as a member of the Assembly Committees on Appropriations, Budget, Budget Sub. 6 on Budget Process, Oversight and Program Evaluation, Health, Housing and Community Development, Utilities and Energy, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, and the Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies.