{"id":203940,"date":"2026-08-10T11:39:55","date_gmt":"2026-08-10T18:39:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=203940"},"modified":"2026-08-10T11:39:55","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T18:39:55","slug":"governor-newsom-condemns-trump-administration-efforts-to-strengthen-2nd-amendment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=203940","title":{"rendered":"Governor Newsom Condemns Trump Administration Efforts to Strengthen 2nd Amendment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sacramento, CA…”Governor Gavin Newsom today blasted the Trump Administration\u2019s proposed changes to federal firearm regulations<\/a>\u00a0as a giveaway to gun traffickers, a threat to law enforcement, and a dangerous move away from common-sense practices that protect children. The proposal comes as California is making meaningful progress on public safety, with every major statewide crime rate declining in 2025 and the state recording its lowest homicide rate since statewide data collection began in 1966. While many of California\u2019s protections that go further than federal law will continue to safeguard Californians, opening the door to straw purchasers and gun traffickers creates unnecessary vulnerabilities even in our state.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n

The Trump administration is moving forward with changes it openly admits may result in more mass shootings and military veteran suicides. It calls child safety warnings \u2018an undue burden\u2019 on firearms dealers. And it is orchestrating a purge on records that would help law enforcement solve crimes. We\u2019ve seen politicians in the pocket of the gun lobby here; Trump is putting our communities in danger and seems to be squarely in the pocket of criminals.<\/p>\n

Governor Gavin Newsom<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

The Trump administration has proposed changes that would make buying a gun online easier than buying alcohol\u2014letting a dealer ship a firearm straight to the buyer\u2019s door, with only remote identity verification and no trip to the counter. Another proposal would let dealers destroy old records that law enforcement use to trace firearms and solve crimes. At a time when California is driving crime down, weakening the very tools that help law enforcement trace firearms, investigate violent crimes, and prevent guns from reaching people in crisis is the opposite of a serious public safety strategy. While many of California\u2019s protections that go further than federal law will continue to protect Californians opening the door to straw purchasers and gun traffickers creates unnecessary vulnerabilities even in our state.<\/p>\n

California is fighting back against the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to weaken these longstanding federal safeguards \u2014 the mail restriction itself is nearly 100 years old \u2014 through a multi-agency response to oppose the Trump administration. The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet), and California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) each filed formal comments detailing the real-world consequences these proposals would have for public safety, veterans, crime survivors, and communities across California.<\/p>\n

Protecting veterans, survivors, and public health<\/b><\/h2>\n

These agencies see the consequences of gun violence every day.<\/p>\n

CDPH warned that removing in-person firearm transfers strips away the opportunity for a dealer to spot\u00a0 signs of crisis, coercion, intoxication, or unsafe circumstances before handing over a firearm While not a panacea, in-person background checks are one of many overlapping safeguards that reduce gun violence and suicide. This baseless rejection of important public health measures will not affect California\u2019s more extensive law requiring firearm transfers to occur in person through licensed firearm dealers. Read CDPH\u2019s letter\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a mom, pediatrician and public health leader, I am committed to ensuring every child and young person has the opportunity to grow up in a safe and healthy environment,\u201d\u00a0said CDPH Director and State Public Health Officer Dr. Erica Pan<\/b>. \u201cFirearm injuries remain a leading cause of death among young people, disproportionately impacting young males and youth of color. Public health practitioners recognize the importance of balancing lawful firearm ownership with strategies that reduce preventable injury and death.\u201d<\/p>\n

CalVet emphasized that changing how mental health records affect one\u2019s ability to obtain firearm do not affect all populations equally, as military veterans make up a disproportionate number of suicides. California\u2019s veteran suicide prevention efforts depend on evidence-based strategies that recognize firearms are involved in a disproportionate share of veteran suicides. The department urged ATF to fully evaluate available evidence before weakening existing safeguards affecting an at-risk population. Read their letter\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

CalVCB warned that weakening firearm tracing requirements is a direct blow to victims. Allowing dealers to throw out old records makes it harder for law enforcement to solve violent crimes and leaves victims and their families waiting longer for answers, accountability, and justice. Read their letter\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cA failed trace can have a financial and emotional impact on victims and their families,\u201d said\u00a0CalVCB Executive Director Lynda Gledhill<\/b>. \u201cIt can also impede their ability to collect restitution for the losses they suffered because of the crime.\u201d<\/p>\n

California\u2019s opposition reflects the experience of the agencies responsible for preventing violence, supporting survivors, protecting veterans, safeguarding public health, and enforcing the law. The individuals in these departments have worked tirelessly for years to develop and implement effective measures to protect Californians. Together, they know the Trump administration\u2019s new proposals would weaken proven safeguards that save lives.<\/p>\n

Public safety progress in California<\/b><\/h2>\n

California is proving that public safety and strong gun safety laws go hand in hand. According to\u00a0California Department of Justice data<\/a>, every major statewide crime rate declined from 2024 to 2025. The homicide rate fell 18.6%, robbery fell 19.9%, property crime fell 14.3%, motor vehicle theft fell 25.8%, and violent crime fell 10.2%. California\u2019s homicide rate is now 3.5 per 100,000 residents \u2014 the lowest rate recorded since statewide reporting began nearly six decades ago.<\/p>\n

That progress matters. Californians deserve leaders who will build on what is working \u2014 not weaken safeguards that protect families, help law enforcement solve crimes, and keep dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. Trump says he is the \u201claw and order\u201d President, but his actions tell a different story. You cannot claim to put public safety first while making it harder for law enforcement to trace crime guns, investigate violent crimes, and prevent firearms from reaching people in crisis.<\/p>\n

Why this matters<\/b><\/h2>\n

One year ago, Governor Newsom issued an\u00a0executive order<\/a>\u00a0to address a growing issue \u2014 the alarming rise in suicides and disconnection among California\u2019s young men and boys. These proposed federal regulations would increase risks across the board by weakening safeguards that help prevent firearms from reaching individuals in crisis. Although California consistently has one of the\u00a0lowest gun death rates in the nation<\/a>, the toll remains too high \u2013 about\u00a03,200 Californians lose their lives<\/a>\u00a0to gun violence each year, with suicides making up a significant share,\u00a0especially among men<\/a>. In California, men aged 15\u201344\u00a0die by suicide at 3 to 4 times<\/a>\u00a0the rate of women, often by firearms.<\/p>\n

This crisis also impacts everyone. Violence is focused both internally and externally, affecting all people in the community. Men are responsible for\u00a0almost 80%<\/a>\u00a0of violent crime, and almost half of female homicide victims are killed by a current or former male intimate partner.<\/p>\n

California\u2019s gun safety efforts<\/b><\/h2>\n

While the federal government considers rolling back firearm safeguards, California continues to lead the nation in gun safety. The state is ranked #1 for gun law strength by both\u00a0Giffords Law Center<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Everytown for Gun Safety<\/a>\u00a0and consistently maintains one of the nation\u2019s lowest firearm death rates.<\/p>\n

California has enacted the nation\u2019s strongest gun safety framework\u2014including universal background checks, waiting periods, red flag laws, strengthened protections against ghost guns, expanded accountability for the firearm industry, and measures to keep weapons out of the hands of individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others.<\/p>\n

California\u2019s gun safety by the numbers<\/b><\/h2>\n