Calif. Gov. Newsom Proposes Constitutional Amendment for Gun Control

Facts

• In a statement released on Thursday, Calif. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a proposal to amend the US Constitution in order to enshrine four gun control measures.¹
• The proposal, which would be America's 28th Amendment to the Constitution if passed, would raise the minimum age to buy a firearm to 21, mandate universal background checks, ban assault rifles, and institute a waiting period for all gun purchases. Newsom says this can be done while still leaving the 2nd Amendment intact.²
• Newsom has said an amendment would help address "despair" surrounding gun violence in America by bypassing political gridlock. The proposed initiative will be spearheaded by his Campaign for Democracy PAC and financed with money left over from his 2022 gubernatorial campaign.²
• A constitutional amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds Congressional vote or through a constitutional convention — the latter of which is the route Newsom is supporting. Two-thirds of the states would have to agree to a convention, where three-quarters of them would then need to vote in favor of the proposal in order for it to be adopted. No amendment has ever been adopted via a convention.³
• Newsom has made gun control a centerpiece of his governorship, despite recent court rulings that have scaled back the power of states to enact gun control measures nationwide. He asserts no interest in running for president but has been speculated to be a candidate in the future.⁴

Sources: ¹The Hill, ²POLITICO, ³NBC Bay Area, and ⁴ABC7 San Francisco.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by Vanity Fair. While a new amendment is a longshot bid, Newsom should be applauded for trying to shift the national conversation toward finding solutions for gun violence. In the midst of this explosion of gun violence, it's time we are proactive and finally take a real step to end the despair and gridlock surrounding gun violence. Too many people have died waiting for an answer to this crisis; it's time to fight back.
• Republican narrative, as provided by Washington Examiner. An attention-hungry Newsom is launching a doomed campaign for proposals that are going to do little to actually stop gun violence. The empirical evidence suggests that just about every one of the proposals will do nothing to reduce violence, and will only serve to frustrate law-abiding citizens in exercising their right to self-defense. We ought to be looking for real solutions to gun crime, not rehashing discredited ideas. Newsom would be better served focused on governing his home state rather than chasing woke national fantasies.

Predictions