California Black Media
California Gun Law Blocked by Supreme Court Ruling
On Aug. 21, a federal judge barred California from allowing residents to seek concealed-carry licenses, squashing State lawmakers’ plans to restrict carrying guns in public. The State Legislature tried to pass a new law in response to a 2022 United States Supreme Court ruling that blocked states’ limits on carrying concealed weapons. The ruling stated that government restrictions related to gun laws must be “consistent with this nation’s historical tradition of firearms regulation,” referencing laws that date back to the formative years of the nation.
By Bo Tefu, California Black Media
On Aug. 21, a federal judge barred California from allowing residents to seek concealed-carry licenses, squashing State lawmakers’ plans to restrict carrying guns in public.
The State Legislature tried to pass a new law in response to a 2022 United States Supreme Court ruling that blocked states’ limits on carrying concealed weapons. The ruling stated that government restrictions related to gun laws must be “consistent with this nation’s historical tradition of firearms regulation,” referencing laws that date back to the formative years of the nation.
As a response, California enacted a law that banned carrying guns in schools, parks, libraries, and other “sensitive places.” However, the courts also blocked this restriction and set new requirements for licenses to possess firearms in public. Another restriction to ban out-of-state residents from applying for concealed-carry licenses was recently blocked by a federal judge. The judge argued that the restriction failed to meet the Supreme Court’s historical test.
State Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office argued that California’s resident requirement reinforced the state’s purpose of allowing only “law-abiding citizens” to carry guns.
However, gun advocates, such as the Second Amendment Foundation, support the court’s ruling. The organization partnered with similar groups including the Gun Owners of America and the California Rifle & Pistol Association to challenge state laws and restrictions on gun ownership.
Alan Gottlieb, founder and executive vice president of the Second Amendment Foundation said, “Americans do not leave their Second Amendment right to bear arms at the California border.”
Although Bonta could appeal the court ruling, the state is yet to respond to the federal judge’s decision. Lawmakers supporting gun restrictions continue to back his in efforts to bolster public safety.
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Oakland Post: Week of January 15 – 21, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of January 15 – 21, 2025
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Oakland Post: Week of January 8 – 14, 2025
The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of January 8 – 14, 2025
To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.
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2024 in Review: 7 Questions for Former Assemblymember Chris Holden
While in office, Holden championed efforts to improve education outcomes for students and advocated for social and racial justice. Legislation he wrote or sponsored also focused on, innovation in transportation, protecting developmental disability service providers and improving public health, more broadly.
By Edward Henderson, California Black Media
In 2012, Assemblymember Chris Holden was first elected to the California State Assembly representing the 41st District in the San Gabriel Valley.
He was re-elected to that position for the following four terms.
While in office, Holden championed efforts to improve education outcomes for students and advocated for social and racial justice. Legislation he wrote or sponsored also focused on, innovation in transportation, protecting developmental disability service providers and improving public health, more broadly.
Holden, a graduate of San Diego State University, lives in Pasadena with his wife, Melanie, and children Nicholas, Alexander, Austin, Mariah and Noah. Holden is the son of former State Senator and LA City Councilmember Nate Holden.
Before he closed out his final year of service in the Assembly, California Black Media (CBM) spoke with Holden. He reflected on his accomplishments this year and his goals moving forward.
Looking back at 2024, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why?
A project I’ve been working on for well over 36 years — the light rail system — made its way into Pasadena from downtown LA. Now it’s making its way through the San Gabriel Valley to Pomona.
How did your leadership and investments contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians?
Having an opportunity to represent a multi-ethnic and diverse district is exciting, but to be able to bring a voice for a lived African American experience from the San Gabriel Valley is very important.
What frustrated you the most over the last year?
I still am frustrated that we aren’t seeing the kind of progress on affordable housing to allow underrepresented communities to be able to afford to live in the community that they grew up in.
What inspired you the most over the last year?
There has been a lot of movement around reparations through community engagement. Dr. Shirley Weber put forth the bill to establish a reparations task force and that task force met for a number of years. Two members of our caucus served on it, Sen. Steven Bradford and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer. A thousand-page report and a hundred recommendations or more came out of that. And now we’re in the process of finding ways to implement some of those recommendations. It’s going to be a longer process, but I’m hopeful because California, once again, is on the front end of taking on a really challenging issue.
What is one lesson you learned in 2024 that will inform your decision-making next year?
Always be mindful how quickly the winds can change. We’ve gone from 10 years of having budget surpluses to this year having a $45 billion deficit.
In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians face?
Inequality.
What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2025?
Well, I won’t be in the legislature in 2025, but I love public policy. I’d like to find myself in a position where I’m continuing to have an influence on how public policy is shaped and formed. I’m just looking forward to being a vital voice going into next year in a different role. It will also be an opportunity to lay a foundation to take another run, possibly for a seat on the LA County Board of Supervisors in 2028.
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