California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has said he wants to lead the nation in implementing progressive initiatives, has issued a call to change the Constitution to restrict gun rights.
Many see the move as a step toward announcing a 2024 presidential bid.
Because most Americans view the Second Amendment–the “right to bear arms”–as a cherished right, Newsom proposes a 28th Amendment focusing on “common sense gun safety measures.”
Claiming his proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution would have “widespread bipartisan support,” Newsom said:
“Our ability to make a more perfect union is literally written into the Constitution. So today, I’m proposing the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to do just that.”
Newsom added: “The 28th Amendment will enshrine in the Constitution common sense gun safety measures that Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and gun owners overwhelmingly support — while leaving the Second Amendment unchanged and respecting America’s gun-owning tradition.”
The California governor’s proposal follows a string of court victories for Second Amendment advocates. Federal courts have recently overturned gun restriction laws in multiple blue-led cities, including New York City, citing government oversteps.
Last year, the Supreme Court issued a landmark ruling striking down a century-old New York law city officials were using to restrict the ability to obtain a concealed handgun license.
Newsom clarified that his proposed 28th Amendment “would not abolish the Second Amendment, but would raise the federal minimum age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21; mandate universal background checks to purchase firearms; institute a waiting period for all gun purchases; and ban ‘assault weapons,'” according to a report in Fox News.
Notably, Newsom’s proposal includes a provision for local and state governments to impose “additional gun control measures” as desired.
Constitutional amendments require the approval of Congress or approval via a Convention of States under Article V. Amendments require a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate.
Political experts note the current political landscape in Congress makes the passage of Newsom’s proposal improbable.
This reality has led Newsom to call for an Article V Convention of States to convene and discuss his proposal. Fox News noted:
“Two-thirds of the state legislatures must pass a resolution calling for such a convention before it can convene to consider an amendment to the Constitution. If such a convention adopts a proposed amendment, it then heads back to the state legislatures for ratification.”
Once the proposal is routed to state legislatures for ratification, three-fourths of the states must approve the proposal. Though rare, this process has successfully moved proposals forward more than two dozen times in our nation’s history.
Many have expressed their disapproval of Newsom’s proposal on social media.
Erich Pratt, senior vice president of Gun Owners of America (GOA), said:
“We’ve always warned those who cherish their God-given liberties that the ultimate goal of anti-gunners was the abolishment of the Second Amendment.”
Pratt added: “While they often try to hide behind legislative proposals and hush open talk of abolishing the Second Amendment, here we have a potential future Presidential candidate now coming out and openly admitting what they’ve wanted to do all along. GOA will strongly oppose this proposal as we work to protect and restore the Second Amendment rights of all Americans.”
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