Sheriffs across the state united in a firm stand to not comply with Senate Bill 2, which reduced the public places a concealed weapon permit holder could carry.
Many cited this as an infringement on 2nd Amendment rights, Many of these being sheriffs, including Modoc Sheriff Tex Dowdy, openly stating to their county that they would not be “utilizing the limited staff available to seeking out violators” of the new law, Which took effect at the start of the New Year.
However, in a turn of events over the contentious item, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has lifted the stay on the SB2, making the sensitive places portion of the law non-enforceable.
This is the second time the law has been blocked; over the last several weeks, the issue has been back and forth in the courts, with one US District judge also ruling against the bill on December 20th, stating it was “repugnant to the 2nd amendment.”
The law, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom in September, also implements new guidelines for Californians seeking to obtain a CCW permit, including a requirement to be at least 21 years old, provide character references, and conduct a background check.
The latest ruling does not impede this portion of the law.
However, the fight is not finished; over the weekend, the Governor’s Office stated that the latest ruling is not final and that they will appeal. In a statement, Newsom’s office said, “This dangerous decision puts the lives of Californians on the line. We won’t stop working to defend our decades of progress on gun safety in our state.”
