Democratic governor of California Gavin Newsom reportedly wants to amend the Constitution to restrict access to firearms.
On Thursday, Newsom announced a proposed 28th Amendment to the Constitution that he believes would impose “common sense” gun safety regulations that have broad bipartisan support because he was tired of the lack of action on gun control.
Either Congress or a convention of states may change the Constitution.
A proposed amendment can be approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification with a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate.
Newsom’s plan follows a string of triumphs for gun rights advocates in federal courts, including the Supreme Court’s historic ruling last year that overturned a century-old New York statute that made it challenging to acquire a license to carry a concealed pistol.
The Democratic governor’s proposed 28th Amendment, which would grant people a right to keep and carry guns for personal protection, would not repeal the Second Amendment.
However, it would increase the federal minimum age to acquire a handgun from 18 to 21, impose a waiting time before all gun transactions, require universal background checks, and outlaw assault weapons.
The amendment put up by Newsom would also indicate that more gun control measures may be passed by Congress, the states, and local governments.
Under Article V, either Congress or a convention of states may change the Constitution.
A proposed amendment can be approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification with a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate.
According to Newsom, he will run a campaign to get support from the general public and push other state legislatures to approve an Article V convention in order to push through the new amendment.
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