'Repugnant': Federal Judge Halts California's Near-Universal 'Sensitive Places' Carry Ban

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In a striking rebuke to California’s legislative efforts, US District Court Judge Cormac Carney has struck down Senate Bill 2, a law designed to significantly restrict the carrying of firearms in what the state deemed ‘sensitive places.’ The decision, handed down on December 21, marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing national debate over gun control and Second Amendment rights.

Senate Bill 2, championed by Governor Gavin Newsom, sought to expand the definition of ‘sensitive places’ to include a wide array of public locations, effectively limiting the rights of licensed gun holders to carry firearms in most public spaces. The law, which was set to go into full effect on January 1, has now been halted due to its unconstitutionality.

Judge Carney’s decision describes the bill’s coverage as “sweeping, repugnant to the Second Amendment, and openly defiant of the Supreme Court.” This sharp criticism points to California’s perceived disregard for recent Supreme Court rulings on the constitutional right to carry firearms.

The ruling highlights the heightened concern among Californians regarding personal safety, especially in the context of recent events. Judge Carney emphasized the fundamental nature of the right to self-defense, a principle deeply ingrained in the Constitution and the Second Amendment.

Governor Newsom’s response to the ruling was equally vehement, labeling the decision as “outrageous” and contrary to common sense. He argued that the ruling undermines the safety of public spaces like hospitals, libraries, and playgrounds.

The judge also pointed out the hypocrisy in California’s carry-permit regime, which imposes rigorous requirements on citizens to obtain a carry permit, only to severely restrict the exercise of these permits through SB2. The law’s extensive list of ‘sensitive places’ effectively nullifies the right to carry arms for self-defense in most public spaces.

Moreover, some aspects of SB2, such as the prohibition of carry in ‘parking areas,’ were highlighted as particularly overreaching and vague. The court found these provisions inconsistent with the Second Amendment and detrimental to the rights of law-abiding citizens.

This ruling is a significant setback for California’s gun control efforts and a notable victory for Second Amendment advocates. The state is expected to appeal the injunction to the Ninth Circuit, but the Supreme Court’s ultimate decision on this matter is eagerly anticipated.

As the legal battle continues, this decision by Judge Carney is seen as a critical moment in the ongoing national discourse on gun rights and public safety.