Limiting access to, and imposing lots of restrictions on obtaining and carrying with a CCW permit is a big part of California politician’s ongoing crusade to render the Second Amendment meaningless. Allies like our friends at the California Rifle & Pistol Association continue to fight in counties like Los Angeles and San Francisco where activist sheriffs and local lawmakers foist fees and delays on CCW seekers while the state legislature slaps restrictions on where and how carry is permitted for those who do the work to obtain one.
Under current California law, non-residents are not even allowed to apply for a CCW in California. And that is among the issues in the case of Matthews v. City of Los Angeles, in which 2ALC has filed an amicus brief. Our brief, which was filed in concert with CRPA, Second Amendment Foundation, and Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, demonstrates that there is no historical basis for requiring valid CCW holders in one state to secure another CCW when traveling to another state. Historical tradition and laws prove quite the opposite. Many laws specifically prohibited local restrictions on the right to self-defense simply because one was outside of their home state.
Current California law expressly prohibits out of state residents from even acquiring a California CCW. That leaves us with a status crime while there is no way for the individual to remedy their status. The result is exactly as gun control advocates intended: the only way to win is to relinquish your Second Amendment rights.
CRPA and Second Amendment Foundation, as the brief points out, are “associational plaintiffs” in a case challenging California’s ban on nonresident CCW’s, and that case should soon produce an injunction that prohibits that restriction.
Clearly, great progress is being made. But our work MUST continue as anti-Second Amendment lawmakers and jurisdictions continue their assault on our fundamental rights. Will you please contribute to bolster our efforts?