California's open carry ban unconstitutional, appeals court rules
NBC News••general
Key Points:
- A U.S. appeals court ruled that California's ban on openly carrying firearms in counties with populations over 200,000 is unconstitutional, violating the Second Amendment.
- The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals based its decision on the 2022 Supreme Court ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which requires firearm restrictions to align with historical traditions.
- Judge Lawrence VanDyke emphasized that open carry predates the Bill of Rights and noted that over 30 states allow open carry, including California until 2012.
- The ruling partially overturned a lower court decision but upheld California’s licensing requirements for open carry permits in smaller counties.
- California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office is reviewing options to defend the state's
