Written by T. Logan Dayne
“Never let a serious crisis go to waste,” or so the maxim goes, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom was quick to exemplify this as he jumped on top of the tragedy that befell Sacramento in an effort to push his political agenda. In the aftermath of the most recent shooting, which left 6 dead and many wounded, further calls for gun control can be heard, along with the shifting of blame, in what is already the most gun restrictive state.
It seems few would have the sense to consider that, perhaps, doubling down on what is already a clearly losing strategy, may not be a good way to curb violence and help people. It is reminiscent of the crackdown during the era of Prohibition, when alcohol was banned for a time, when the tightening grip of the government only created lucrative black markets, gangs and gang violence, and ruined the lives of otherwise peaceful, everyday citizens, but history, It seems, is lost on politicians like Newsom.
Newsom and friends also shift blame. It is not that their policies have been a failure but it is actually Nevada’s fault for having less restrictive gun laws. Often citing the “Gun Show Loophole”, which is an often miscited myth once again to garner support for those who know little of the gun purchasing process and only meant to justify even more control by bureaucrats.
Newsom going even further to push Senate Bill 1327, a bill that seeks to mimic the Texas bill regarding abortion. S.B. 1327 looks to make private citizens and manufacturers of guns, and even gun parts, possible felons and capable of lawsuits. Banning even what is considered “Precursor Parts”, parts that can be used to make a gun, lost on them is that these parts are also needed to maintain guns. It would be akin to saying an individual can’t build a car legally and therefore can’t even buy a tire because the part can be used to build a car; if they make it themselves, then they are a felon. The haphazard bill also places Newsom in a politically sticky situation by doing this he has also legitimized the wording of the Texas bill and, if he is stuck with it, looks to be condemning the second-largest gun owner population in the nation. Already a problem for California as many are fleeing to get out.
Politicians have tried to make the appearance of doing something by targeting such items as “Ghost Guns” and “Assault Weapons”, terms that are meant to inspire fear in those who may not be knowledgeable in these areas. In reality “Ghost Gun”, in its simplest sense, is a gun without a serial number. Criminals often remove serial numbers from a gun to prevent it from being traced but this has also been broadened to include anyone who even wants to 3D print a gun. “Ghost Guns” are by definition untraceable meaning that laws wishing to target them is a law that has already failed. “Assault Weapons” is a term widely used to describe any gun that looks frightening. The difference between an “Assault Weapon” and a Compliant Weapon is simply the features and this comes down to the grip, muzzle device, and stock. Nothing about the actual lethality of the gun is changed, meaning that it is all cosmetic, and like the law, all for show.
Photo Cred: AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File
