Days after the U.S. Supreme Court changed the legal landscape around concealed carry permits, California lawmakers moved to limit where firearms may be carried and who can have them. Legislators strugged to stay within the high court’s ruling while keeping some restriction in place.
They aim to restrict concealed carry to those 21 and older; require applicants to disclose all prior arrests and criminal convictions as well as restraining or protective orders. They will require in-person interviews with the applicant and at least three character references. Sheriffs and police chiefs will be able to consider applicants’ public statements as they weigh if the individual is dangerous.
The Supreme Court rejected a New York law requiring that people seeking a license to carry a gun in public demonstrate a particular need, such as a direct threat to their safety. California is among a half-dozen states with a similar requirement, and the ruling renders that portion of California’s law immediately unconstitutional.
