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The judge conceded that weapons like AR-15s are commonly used by criminals, but said the guns are importantly also owned by people who obey the law and feel they need firearms to protect themselves.
A federal judge in California has once again overturned the state's ban on assault weapons, ruling that it violates the constitutional right to bear arms. U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez stated that while these weapons are commonly used by criminals, they are also owned by law-abiding citizens who feel the need to protect themselves. The judge's ruling is similar to a previous decision in 2021, in which he called the ban a "failed experiment." The state has 10 days to seek a stay on the ruling as part of an appeal to the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
The judge conceded that weapons like AR-15s are commonly used by criminals, but said the guns are importantly also owned by people who obey the law and feel they need firearms to protect themselves.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta says his office has already filed a notice of appeal
California’s 33-year-old law banning assault weapons is unconstitutional, a federal judge declared Thursday.