California Black Media

Commentary: Will U.S. Lawmakers Follow California’s Lead, or Continue to Allow Mass Murderers to Access Military-Style Weapons?

The tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia on Sept. 4, claiming four lives, is a sobering reminder of the grave threat gun violence poses in America. Even more disturbing is how some lawmakers have allowed mass murderers easy access to high-powered firearms, leaving parents fearing whether their children will return home safely each day they send them to school.

Published

1 year ago

September 13, 2024

Oakland Post

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Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media 

By refusing to pass commonsense gun control measures, those lawmakers have ensured that mass shooters have easy access to military-grade weapons designed for war.

The Georgia school shooter used an AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle. The four killings happened within minutes and left nine other people injured.

Attorney General Rob Bonta, addressing the urgency of the situation, declared, “None of it is acceptable. We will continue to promote the blueprint of California that has led us to transform from 30 years ago, being a state with one of the highest levels of gun violence, to now one of the lowest because of our commonsense gun laws that make us safer. If others did that, we would be safer.”

Bonta, along with 19 other attorneys general, is fighting back by filing an amicus brief supporting Cook County, Illinois’s ban on assault weapons. California has proven that such measures save lives.

Gov. Gavin Newsom has also weighed in, reflecting on the immediate tragedy and the broader failure of leadership. “I’ve got four kids, one just going into high school,” Newsom said. “The trauma of these shootings is devastating, not just for the families directly affected, but for entire communities. This is the only country in the world where this happens over and over again.”

Newsom did not mince words in holding lawmakers accountable: “I mean, you had a nominee for president of the United States who almost lost his life to an assassination attempt from a member of his own party, and still, we’ve had no substantive conversations around gun safety. No real discussions on background checks, no conversations about an assault weapons ban, or limiting large-capacity magazines. It’s a serious moment in America that requires serious leadership, and you do not have that from the other party. Gun safety saves lives.”

California’s strict gun laws, which are among the toughest in the nation, were born out of tragedy — the 1989 Cleveland Elementary School shooting in Stockton. That horrific event, where five children were gunned down, led to the country’s first assault weapons ban. From mandatory background checks and red flag laws, California has created a comprehensive framework that aims to prevent mass shootings like the one in Georgia.

It’s crucial to point out that protecting Second Amendment rights is not at odds with making communities safe. Responsible gun ownership and public safety can coexist through thoughtful regulations that prioritize human lives without infringing on constitutional rights.

As we approach the 2024 election, Americans face a critical choice: continue allowing mass murderers access to military-style weapons or follow California’s lead in implementing life-saving gun laws. With gun violence rising, it’s time for the rest of the country to prioritize safety and adopt measures like California’s that protect children, families, and communities.

About the Author

Joe W. Bowers Jr. is a contributing editor to California Black Media. He is a graduate of Stanford University.

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Activism

2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Black Women’s Think Tank Founder Kellie Todd Griffin

As the president and CEO of the California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute, Griffin is on a mission to shift the narrative and outcomes for Black women and girls. She founded the nation’s first Black Women’s Think Tank, securing $5 million in state funding to fuel policy change.

Published

1 week ago

December 14, 2025

Oakland Post

Kellie Todd Griffin. CBM file photo.

By Edward Henderson
California Black Media

With more than 25 years of experience spanning public affairs, community engagement, strategy, marketing, and communications, Kellie Todd Griffin is recognized across California as a leader who mobilizes people and policy around issues that matter.

Griffin spoke with California Black Media (CBM) about her successes and setbacks in 2025 and her hopes for 2026.

Looking back at 2025, what stands out to you as your most important achievement and why? 

Our greatest achievement in this year is we got an opportunity to honor the work of 35 Black women throughout California who are trailblazing the way for the next generation of leaders.

How did your leadership, efforts and investments as president and CEO California Black Women’s Collective Empowerment Institute contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians? 

We’re training the next leaders. We have been able to train 35 women over a two-year period, and we’re about to start a new cohort of another 30 women. We also have trained over 500 middle and high school girls in leadership, advocacy, and financial literacy.

What frustrated you the most over the last year?

Getting the question, “why.” Why advocate for Black women? Why invest in Black people, Black communities? It’s always constantly having to explain that, although we are aware that there are other populations that are in great need, the quality-of-life indices for Black Californians continue to decrease. Our life expectancies are decreasing. Our unhoused population is increasing. Our health outcomes remain the worst.

We’re not asking anyone to choose one group to prioritize. We are saying, though, in addition to your investments into our immigrant brothers and sisters – or our religious brothers and sisters – we are also asking you to uplift the needs of Black Californians. That way, all of us can move forward together.

What inspired you the most over the last year?

I’ve always been amazed by the joy of Black women in the midst of crisis.

That is really our secret sauce. We don’t let the current state of any issue take our joy from us. It may break us a little bit. We may get tired a little bit. But we find ways to express that – through the arts, through music, through poetry.

What is one lesson you learned in 2025 that will inform your decision-making next year?

Reset. It’s so important not to be sitting still. We have a new administration. We’re seeing data showing that Black women have the largest unemployment rate. We’ve lost so many jobs. We can have rest – we can be restful – but we have to continue the resistance.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians faced in 2025?

Motivation.

I choose motivation because of the tiredness. What is going to motivate us to be involved in 2026?

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?

I want to get Black Californians in spaces and places of power and influence – as well as opportunities to thrive economically, socially, and physically.