The governor's proposal Gavin Newsom of the Right to Safety amendment to the United States Constitution, which seeks to ensure that elected representatives of the people can determine what gun safety laws are appropriate for their communities, was introduced as a joint resolution in the California Legislature.
The Right to Safety Amendment seeks to raise the minimum age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21, require universal background checks, institute a waiting period on all gun purchases, and ban assault rifles for civilians, leaving the Second Amendment intact.
In addition, the amendment would affirm that Congress, states and local governments can enact common sense gun safety laws that save lives.
"In the time it will take to pass our Right to Safety Resolution calling for a constitutional convention, more Americans will lose their lives to gun violence than were killed on 9/11," Governor Newsom said. How many more lives must be lost before we act? In California, with the help of the Legislature, we are providing a path to a safer America."
Senator Aisha Wahab and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer introduced Senate Joint Resolution 7 in the California State Senate, which is the first step toward adoption of a constitutional amendment.
The joint resolution calls for a convention, also known as an Article V Convention or amendment convention, a method for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution. If the resolution is approved, California would become the first state in the nation to call such a convention.
"As someone who values both the Second Amendment and has personally experienced the impact of gun violence, I am proud to partner with Governor Gavin Newsom on the Right to Safety Resolution," said Senator Wahab.
"Together, we advocate for rational and responsible measures regarding firearms regulations, defending the memory of all people who have lost their lives or have been deeply affected by the tragic consequences of gun violence," he added.
For his part, Jones-Sawyer said that “the Right to Security proposal activates a real national discussion on armed violence and gives all Americans a voice in determining whether we continue down a path that sees innocent Americans massacred by weapons of war, or if we choose sensible gun control measures without violating the Second Amendment."
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