Staff Reports
In response to the mass shootings that occurred in Las Vegas and other cities, California Governor Gavin Newsom called for a national convention to limit gun access. Critics say that such a gathering could lead to significant changes to the US Constitution.
In response to the recent mass shootings, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom called for a national convention to address the country's gun violence. He stated that it was time for Americans to stand up and fight against the epidemic of gun violence. His proposed amendment would establish a national gun registry, restrict gun ownership for individuals under 21, and ban assault weapons and other military-type weapons.
Just when I think I can’t be more embarrassed by my state’s installed tyrannical democrat shitshow government and abject failure of leadership…
Gavin Nuisance…
“Hold my beer.”https://t.co/y1WR6rJUrn— Happy_Horse_Girl (@HappyHorseGirl1) September 19, 2023
Getting a constitutional convention is a daunting task, as 34 state legislatures would have to pass resolutions to call for it. Convention delegates would also need the support of three-quarters of the states to make any changes to the Constitution. Alternatively, it can be changed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress.
Although the Democratic Party is generally against a constitutional convention, some of its members are concerned about its potential effects. For instance, Scott Wiener, a state senator from California, warned that the gathering could potentially address other issues. He noted that there is no provision in the Constitution that allows for a convention solely focused on one topic.
Second Amendment groups, such as California's Gun Owners Association, are also concerned about the potential effects of a runaway convention on the Second Amendment. They noted that even though the resolution states that delegates would be allowed to consider other topics, there's no guarantee that they would actually do so. They additionally argued that the state's resolution would have no binding authority over the gathering.
Sam Paredes, the executive director of the Gun Owners of California, stated that restricting gun access would be impossible since 27 states already have "Constitutional Carry" laws. These state laws aim to eliminate impediments that violate the Second Amendment.
Although California's proposal for a constitutional convention has the support of several other states, it's not yet clear if enough people will join the state to make it happen. The possible outcomes of such a gathering are significant, and the critics believe that it could lead to significant changes to the US Constitution.
