This state has the strictest gun control policies in the country

24/7 Wall St. Perspectives

• Gun policy has become one of the most polarizing issues in American politics in recent years.
• Partisan debate over the proper balance between gun rights and gun control has resulted in years of stalled gun control initiatives in Washington, DC and a patchwork of firearms regulations in the 50 states.
• Through a broad set of policies, California has enacted some of the strictest gun control laws in the country.
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Gun ownership has been a constitutional right in the United States for more than 200 years. While federal law restricts access to firearms for certain groups—including felons, illegal drug users, and fugitives—and effectively prohibits civilian ownership of specific types of firearms—such as new, fully automatic weapons and assault rifles short barrel – USA has some of them. the most permissive gun laws in the world.

The increasing regularity of mass shootings in recent decades, in addition to rising rates of gun violence, have led many to call for tighter restrictions on firearms. This, in turn, has made gun control one of the most polarizing issues in American politics. According to a 2023 Gallup poll, 84 percent of likely Democratic voters say gun laws should be stricter, compared to just 31 percent of likely Republican voters.

In today’s era of divided government, the partisan gulf over gun control has yielded little beyond political gridlock. In the absence of legislative action on Capitol Hill, many states have exercised their authority to expand federal gun control policies. Others, meanwhile, have taken a decidedly no-nonsense approach.

According to analysis by the Giffords Law Center, a gun violence prevention group, California has implemented the strongest gun control laws of any state in the country. Considering the wide range of policies available to state governments—including restrictions on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, universal background check laws, waiting periods, and regulation of firearms in public—the Gifford Law Center has awarded California a letter grade of “A” on an AF scale for the strength of its gun control laws. (Here’s a look at the extent of gun laws in each state.)

Firearm regulations are generally designed and implemented to reduce the likelihood of gun violence, and in states where gun control takes a back seat to gun rights, gun death rates tend to to be bigger. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 3,484 gun-related deaths in California in 2022, or about 8.6 for every 100,000 people, the seventh lowest rate of gun deaths among the 50 states. (Here’s a look at the US cities where gun crime is on the rise.)

Using data compiled by Gifford’s Law Center, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed California’s approach to 14 key gun control policy areas. It is important to note that the laws in this list are not exhaustive and are only general guidelines. Legal nuances can vary at the state and local level.

Why it matters

With the exception of modest revisions to background check protocols, the US has not implemented any significant gun control reform in decades. However, state governments also have the authority to enforce their own policies, resulting in a patchwork of gun laws across the 50 states. California currently ranks as having the strongest statewide firearms regulations in the country.

Universal background check laws

• State policy: All gun buyers must pass a background check before obtaining a firearm from a licensed retailer – but transfers from unlicensed retailers are exempt from federal background check requirements. California is one of several states that has closed this loophole, with universal background check laws that cover both licensed and unlicensed dealers.

Mental health reporting

• State policy: California is required to report to federal background check databases people involuntarily committed to undergo mental health treatment, as well as those living with a guardian to help them manage their affairs.

Concealed carrying of a firearm

• State policy: A permit is required to carry a concealed firearm in public places in California.

Regulations for open carry of handguns

• State policy: Open carry of handguns in public places is prohibited in California.

Regulations for open carry of long guns

• State policy: Open carry of long weapons such as rifles or shotguns is generally prohibited in California, although there are some exceptions.

Uphold your laws

• State policy: The state has no explicit ground laws, but courts have held that legal gun owners have no duty to retreat from a public confrontation when a person is threatened with death or serious bodily harm.

Guns in schools

• State policy: In California, firearms may be carried in K-12 schools only by school security officers.

Mandatory waiting periods for the purchase of firearms

• State policy: In California, there is a mandatory 10-day waiting period for the purchase of all firearms.

Assault weapons

• State policy: Assault weapons are effectively banned in California. The state bans certain assault firearms by name and others by certain features, including pistol-grip action rifles and rifles with a collapsible or telescoping stock. California provides exemptions for assault weapons purchased before the ban went into effect.

High capacity magazines

• State policy: All firearms in California are limited to a maximum capacity of 10 rounds.

Licensing Requirements

• State Policy: A license is required to own any firearm in the state of California.

Statewide bans on who can own firearms

• State Policy: In California, people who have been convicted of a violent or gun-related crime, people who struggle with alcohol abuse, and adults who have been convicted of certain juvenile crimes are subject to restrictions on access to firearms.

Minimum age requirements for handguns

• State Policy: In California, people must be at least 21 years old to buy a gun and at least 18 years old to own a gun.

Minimum age requirements for long guns

• State Policy: In California, people must be at least 21 years old to buy a long gun — such as a rifle or shotgun — and at least 18 years old to own a long gun.

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