California already has the most rigid gun laws in the country, but state lawmakers are considering adding new legislation in an effort to curb gun violence after six people died and 12 were injured early Sunday morning in a shooting in Sacramento.
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KCBS Radio Insider Phil Matier explained what legislators are focused on during KCBS Radio's "Bay Current" on Tuesday.
"We are seeing a lot of shootings in the state. If you looked at the various counties, you’d see that there was a shooting of three people in San Francisco, a shooting of a man in Santa Rosa and three people shot in Oakland that same day," Matier said. "This is far beyond the ones that get television attention. Here in Sacramento, this event got attention. It's the same with laws, so when a big incident happens, we have renewed calls to do something."
Matier noted that there are a multitude of restrictions that are being considered by lawmakers following last weekend's shooting, including imitating other state laws. Gov. Gavin Newsom has considered replicating Texas Senate Bill 8, which allows a person to sue anyone who helps perform an abortion, in a proposal that would allow Californians to sue gun manufacturers and distributors if they violate the state’s gun control laws, such as its ban on assault weapons.
"The shooting happened, and we've revived that conversation," Matier added. "And now it will be a key point in this debate."
But pushing gun legislation in the California State Legislature could be challenging.
"When shootings like this happen, there are calls on both sides, whether it’s the National Rifle Association or Mothers Against Gun Violence," Matier said. "Tragically, gun violence has become a 'juice issue,' where we have laws, and then we don't have enforcement. It is difficult and dangerous, so a lot of guns don't get picked up."
California's strict gun restrictions could also be challenged in federal courts, and some judges have previously ruled some of the state’s firearm laws are unconstitutional.
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