Governor Gavin Newsom believes the US Supreme Court has no choice but to let California’s law stand, since it did not strike down a similar law in Texas.
SANTA MONICA, Calif. (CN) — Taking shots at Texas and the US Supreme Court in hopes of also protecting Californians, Governor Gavin Newsom signed several gun safety bills into law Friday.
The authors of SB 1327, state Senators Robert Hertzberg of Ventura and Anthony Portintino of San Fernando, modeled their bill after SB 8, a new Texas law that allows individuals to sue anyone who provides or helps in the procurement of abortion services for up to $10,000 .
Newsom believes the connection will help SB 1327 survive any legal challenges up to the nation’s highest court.
SB 1327 focuses on firearms that are already illegal in California and allows individuals to sue gun dealers or manufacturers that sold, transferred or made an illegal weapon used to commit a crime.
“Our message to the criminals spreading illegal weapons in California is simple: You have no safe harbor here in the Golden State,” Newsom said at a bill-signing event. “While the Supreme Court rolls back reasonable gun safety measures, California continues adding new ways to protect the lives of our kids. California will use every tool at its disposal to save lives, especially in the face of an increasing extreme Supreme Court.”
Newsom said the Supreme Court opened the door when it allowed SB 8 to stand, and California will use the opportunity to protect its citizens. The high court has delegated more authority to the states, and Newsom said it could not in principle strike down SB 1327 if it allows SB 8 to stand.
Hertzberg said the newly signed law will help to make California schools, streets and communities safer and