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

2 years 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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Kamala Harris Says State and Local Leadership Matters as Much as Washington

The discussion was moderated by Daniel Squadron, co-founder of The States Project and author of The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union. The organization supports state legislative candidates in competitive states and advocates for greater investment in state legislative races. 

Published

2 weeks ago

July 5, 2026

Oakland Post

Courtesy photo States Project.

By Joe W. Bowers Jr., California Black Media 

Former Vice President Kamala Harris said that traveling the country since the 2024 Presidential election, during her book tour, gave her an opportunity to hear directly from Americans about the challenges they face every day, reinforcing her belief that many people feel unheard by Washington and increasingly look to state elected officials for solutions.

Speaking at UCLA on June 23 during a discussion hosted by The States Project, Harris said she deliberately used her travels to spend time listening to people rather than simply talking to them.

“After the election I needed to take a minute, but when that minute was over, I needed to listen,” said Harris.

One conversation that stayed with her was with a single mother of three in Jackson, Mississippi, who was attending cosmetology school while raising her children on a $150 weekly grocery budget. Harris said the woman also told her the tap water was sometimes too contaminated to bathe her children.

When Harris asked what she wanted others to understand about families like hers, the woman replied, “Don’t they see me?”

“There are a lot of people who feel that they are not interested, and that their everyday fears and worries and hopes aren’t being heard,” Harris said.

“People are done with the status quo,” Harris added. “They’re done. It’s not working for them.”

She said political leaders must focus on solving everyday problems while presenting a broader vision for the country’s future.

“It’s about having affordable housing, affordable healthcare. It is about having a tax code that works for working people,” Harris said.

Harris said those conversations reinforced her belief that state elected officials are often better positioned than Washington to understand the everyday challenges facing their constituents.

“I support The States Project because the folks here and the folks we are supporting — state elected officials — are on the ground seeing and hearing these stories every day,” Harris said.

The discussion was moderated by Daniel Squadron, co-founder of The States Project and author of The Fourth Branch: How State Government Can Save Our Union. The organization supports state legislative candidates in competitive states and advocates for greater investment in state legislative races.

Harris said protecting voting rights remains central to the broader civil rights movement.

“The fight for civil rights in America, born out of the struggle of Black Americans, has benefited so many groups,” she said. “But when we look at what’s happening across the country, the fight for justice, for equality, lives on.”

Looking beyond the current administration, Harris said Democrats must present voters with more than opposition to President Donald Trump.

“We’ve got to have a mindset and a purpose that is about the day after this administration leaves the White House,” Harris said. “The question is going to be, what are you going to do with the power if you get it?”

Harris closed by encouraging Americans to remain engaged in their communities and state government.

“I strongly believe nobody should be made to fight alone,” Harris said. “Especially at this moment in time.”