California, USA, Bans Carrying Firearms in Public Places Starting New Year

Temporary Suspension of New Gun Control Law's Unconstitutionality Ruling Effect

Starting from the New Year, new gun control laws will be enforced in some states in the United States. In California, as originally planned, carrying firearms in most public places will be prohibited. In Illinois, possession of semi-automatic rifles and similar firearms will be banned.

On the 30th (local time), Reuters reported that the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily suspended the effect of a lower court ruling that declared California's new gun control law unconstitutional.

Earlier, on the 20th, the U.S. Central District Court of California ruled that the new gun control law, which bans concealed carry of firearms in 26 categories of public places including hospitals, playgrounds, zoos, and places of worship, violated the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution (right to bear arms).

In response, the state of California applied for a stay to block the law's enforcement until the appeal is decided, stating that "tens of millions of residents will face a high risk of gun violence."

With the appeals court accepting this, the path was opened for California to implement the new gun control law starting January 1 next year.

On the 23rd (local time), citizens lit candles in front of Monterey Park City Hall, a small city near Los Angeles, California, to honor the victims of the shooting that occurred two days earlier.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

California's new gun control law was enacted after the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court recognized the right to carry firearms in public places in a June 2022 ruling. The law has drawn opposition from gun advocacy groups, who argue that it removes citizens' right to be armed and defend themselves in public places.

Meanwhile, in Illinois, starting from the New Year, possession of .50 caliber guns, rapid-fire devices, and dozens of specific brands or types of rifles and pistols will be prohibited. Rifles cannot be loaded with more than 10 rounds, pistols more than 15 rounds, and those who have already purchased such firearms must register them with the state police by January 1 next year.