Federal Judge Overturns California’s Assault Weapons Ban
Likening weapons used for mass murder to a Swiss Army Knife (which contains such deadly tools as a corkscrew and a toothpick), Federal Judge Roger Benitez overturned California’s longtime ban on assault weapons on Friday.
Assault weapons had been banned in California since 1989, according to the ruling. The law has been updated several times since it was originally passed. Judge Benitez has previously ruled against other state firearm restrictions. Last year, he ruled California’s ban on high-capacity magazines was unconstitutional. He also struck down the state’s restriction on remote purchases of gun ammunition.
According to the new ruling, the assault weapons ban “violates the Second Amendment’s right to bear arms” and “deprives Californians from owning assault-style weapons commonly allowed in other states”.
Boulder: AR-15
Orlando: AR-15
Parkland: AR-15
Las Vegas: AR-15
Aurora, CO: AR-15
Sandy Hook: AR-15
Waffle House: AR-15
San Bernardino: AR-15
Midland/Odessa: AR-15
Poway synagogue: AR-15
Sutherland Springs: AR-15
Tree of Life Synagogue: AR-15Judge Benitez is pro mass shootings.
— Angela Belcamino (@AngelaBelcamino) June 5, 2021
Benitez, who was appointed by former Republican President George W. Bush, also issued a permanent injunction Friday so the law cannot be enforced. “Like the Swiss Army Knife, the popular AR-15 rifle is a perfect combination of home defense weapon and homeland defense equipment,” Benitez said in the ruling. “Firearms deemed as ‘assault weapons’ are fairly ordinary, popular, modern rifles.”
Judge Benitez: “Like the Swiss Army Knife, the popular AR-15 rifle is a perfect combination of home defense weapon and homeland defense equipment”.
Shame on this judge. I’d like to hear him say this to mothers like my cousin MJ, whose son Jerry, was killed at a mass-shooting. https://t.co/B6yTj6zVfX pic.twitter.com/tjuj4LxApP
— Ana Navarro-Cárdenas (@ananavarro) June 5, 2021
California officials are pledging to appeal the ruling, with the effort led by Governor Gavin Newsom. who called the AR-15 a “weapon of war.” The comparison, he said in a statement, “completely undermines the credibility of this decision and is a slap in the face to the families who’ve lost loved ones to this weapon.”
Overturning CA’s assault weapon ban and comparing an AR-15 to a SWISS ARMY KNIFE is a disgusting slap in the face to those who have lost loved ones to gun violence.
This is a direct threat to public safety and innocent Californians. We won’t stand for it. https://t.co/feL5BABTXa
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 5, 2021
Newsom added: “We’re not backing down from this fight, and we’ll continue pushing for Common Sense gun laws that will save lives.”
Us Californians were doing just fine without AR-15’s on our streets. This ruling from Judge Benitez is ridiculous.
40k Americans a year die from guns. We need more gun control, not less!
— Heather Gardner (@heathergtv) June 5, 2021
The ruling and injunction are stayed for 30 days, during which time the attorney general may appeal and seek a stay from the Court of Appeals. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said he will be appealing the ruling. “Today’s decision is fundamentally flawed, and we will be appealing it,” Bonta said in a news release.