California Governor Gavin Newsom has unveiled a plan to amend the United States Constitution in order to place strict limits on the ownership and use of semi‑automatic rifles, including the widely‑owned AR‑15. The draft amendment would also require background checks for every firearm purchase, raise the minimum age for buying a gun and introduce a mandatory waiting period.
Rationale and statistics
Newsom said the proposal is a response to a recent rise in homicides and mass shootings, arguing that it is needed to create a "more perfect union" as envisioned by the Constitution. He maintains that the changes would not overturn the Second Amendment but would preserve America’s gun‑owning tradition.
According to a 2021 study, roughly 44 million AR‑15s are in circulation in the United States, alongside millions of other semi‑automatic rifles owned by private citizens. FBI data for 2019 show that rifles of any type were used in only 364 of the 13 927 homicides recorded that year, while knives were the weapon of choice in 1 476 murders.
Opposition from gun‑rights groups
Gun‑rights organisations have reacted strongly. Erich Pratt, senior vice‑president of Gun Owners of America, warned that the amendment is part of a broader effort to abolish the Second Amendment, stating: "We've always warned those who cherish their God‑given liberties that the ultimate goal of anti‑gunners was the abolishment of the Second Amendment."
Critics argue that the measure would infringe on constitutional rights and question its impact on overall gun violence.
Political hurdles
Even if the proposal gains traction, it faces a daunting procedural path. Amending the Constitution via a convention requires the approval of two‑thirds of state legislatures. As of 2023, Democrats hold full control of only 19 of the 50 state legislatures, making the prospect of securing the necessary super‑majority unlikely.
Some liberal commentators have expressed scepticism, describing the plan as a largely symbolic gesture designed to attract public attention.
Motivations and wider implications
When announcing the amendment, Newsom directed viewers to the website of a political action committee he launched in March, a vehicle that could potentially fund a future presidential campaign. This has prompted speculation about whether the initiative is driven primarily by a desire to reduce gun violence or by personal political ambition.
The debate is expected to intensify as the proposal moves forward, with both sides presenting strong arguments about public safety, constitutional rights and the practical effects of such a change. The outcome will have far‑reaching consequences for gun owners, law‑enforcement agencies and the broader American public, and is likely to become a prominent issue in upcoming elections.
First reported by the source report.