Newsom unveils gun initiative

Newsom unveils gun initiative

Gavin NewsomThrusting himself to the forefront of America’s campaign-season controversy around access to firearms, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom seized the opportunity to define the 2018 gubernatorial race early, proposing a ballot initiative that would usher in sweeping new gun laws.

Although Newsom’s liberal bona fides were not in question, analysts observed that his calculated risk to wade into the debate made sense in the context of California’s current political climate. “High-profile ballot measure campaigns can help bolster a candidate’s visibility,” as the Los Angeles Times noted. “And because of dismal voter turnout in the last California election, the threshold to qualify measures has been dropped to 365,000 petition signatures, much lower than the previous standard.”

Guns in the crosshairs

Newsom didn’t hesitate to cast himself as a champion of the anti-gun movement, capable of going head to head against the nation’s strongest firearms rights lobbies. “The NRA doesn’t own me, they haven’t bought me — and they never will. They’ve already come after us,” he said in remarks to Capital New York, a Politico publication, “and it’s going to intensify.”

Calling the National Rifle Association “extraordinarily effective at stifling the legislative process,” Newsom vowed “to fight a different fight — that is, direct democracy. We’re going directly to voters. Because the public is with us, including the NRA members themselves.”

Uncertain terrain

To an extent, Newsom has public opinion on his side in the Golden State. “A poll last month by the Public Policy Institute of California found that two-thirds of adults believe California’s gun control laws should be stricter than they are now,” USA Today reported. “It found that 57 percent of adults said controlling gun ownership is more important than protecting the right of Americans to own guns, while 40 percent said protecting gun ownership is more important.”

But Newsom was cagey on the subject of Gov. Jerry Brown, who has torpedoed California gun legislation in the recent past. His proposed initiative, the Sacramento Bee noted, incorporates “provisions of bills that have stalled at the state Capitol or were vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown in recent years.” In addition to compelling sellers of bullets to be licensed in the same manner as sellers of guns, the Bee continued, Newsom’s initiative would “establish a process to seize guns from people prohibited from owning them because of their criminal records, mandate that lost or stolen guns be reported to law enforcement, and require the California Department of Justice to notify federal authorities when someone is added to the state database of prohibited firearms owners.”

Californians have already directly or indirectly established one of the strictest sets of firearms regulations in the country, with “a 10-day waiting period for all firearm purchases, an assault weapons ban, and a ban on making and selling magazines that hold more than 10 rounds,” as the San Jose Mercury News recalled. “The state enacted its assault weapons ban in 1989 and expanded it 10 years later,” the paper added, although “those who already owned the banned guns and magazines were allowed to register and keep them.”

Fueling fears

Of all the provisions proposed by Newsom, one stood out: the ban on so-called “large capacity” gun magazines. UCLA law professor Adam Winkler told the Bee that the provision would “hit a lot of ordinary gun owners where it hurts,” potentially turning gun moderates against the initiative. “It plays into the hands of gun-rights proponents who are always warning that the government is going to come take your guns,” he suggested.

In a statement, NRA spokeswoman Amy Hunter promptly advanced that standpoint. “His ballot initiative proposal does nothing but prohibit access to the most effective methods for self-defense, with no measurable positive effect on stopping crime or improving public safety,” she told Courthouse News. “They can’t repeal the Second Amendment, so they’re trying to chip away our rights until there is nothing left,” she said.

71 comments

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  1. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 17 October, 2015, 07:22

    Newsroms the ex moron mayor of San Francisco when the citizens of Gay City voted to ban guns but it was later declared Uncontituional and no doupt Newsrom and Brown(Sounds like big Lawfirm)and yet this idiot can still swear on a bible to Uphold,Protect & Defend the Constitution of the United States of America and frankly him and brown can just leave america and never return typical two faced liberal idiot

    Reply this comment
  2. ricky65
    ricky65 17 October, 2015, 09:43

    Well, that’s the first shot of Pretty Boy Gruesome’s 2018 governor campaign. Why let a little thing like the people’s constitutional rights get in the way of your ambition.
    Especially when a tragedy like Roseburg is fresh in the news and piling on to the Second Amendment is in vogue and all among all the lib fascists.
    This guy is the California perfect dema-rat candidate. Vacuous, dim witted, immoral (he was banging his best friend and campaign manager’s wife during his last campaign for Lt gov) and he has never had a real job.
    Way to go Gav- As another lib tyrant Rohm Emmanuel once said: Never let a good tragedy go to waste!

    Reply this comment
  3. Dude
    Dude 17 October, 2015, 11:59

    Recall Newsome

    Reply this comment
  4. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 17 October, 2015, 14:50

    The NOOSE is a poll driven madman fixing to finish of doomers and Graboids…..he is out early……won’t be pretty!

    Reply this comment
  5. Richard Rider
    Richard Rider 17 October, 2015, 20:48

    I’m a gun owner, but not that knowledgeable about some aspects of firearm regulations. So I have some questions regarding this initiative (and gun regulation in general):

    1. Each time I buy ammo, how much will the background check cost? Is it instantaneous, or do I have to come back a week later? Who pays for this background check — the Tooth Fairy? Is that cost not likely to show up in my ammo purchase price, or in a separate item on my sales receipt?

    2. If I buy ammo when I’m out of state and later bring it into California (there are still some Americans migrating TO our state), am I then designated a felon who loses any right to own a gun ever in the Golden State? How long is my jail sentence likely to be?

    Reply this comment
  6. Mr. Whistle
    Mr. Whistle 17 October, 2015, 20:57

    Newsom is the type of elected official that the 2nd. Amendment was created for in the first place.

    What is it with politicians that live near salt water? Seems all of them have some kind of socialistic mental retardation………. they don’t think straight, or don’t think at all……….. 🙁

    Reply this comment
    • Rex the Wonder Dog!
      Rex the Wonder Dog! 18 October, 2015, 22:22

      If you recall back in 1983, then San Francisco Mayor DiFi banned handguns, or tied to, lasted about 5 nanoseconds. Of course SHE kept her CCW permit, but no one else could have one, in fact there was Difi’s CCW and 8 others, 9 total, in the entire city back then. The old “do as I SAY, not as I DO” mentality so prevalent in these anti-2nd Amendment nutjobs (Like NTHEOC)…

      Reply this comment
  7. Rex the Wonder Dog!
    Rex the Wonder Dog! 17 October, 2015, 20:59

    Newsome is such a tool. Remember, this is the ass clown that cheated/had a love affair with the SPOUSE of one of his best friends.

    Reply this comment
    • Dude
      Dude 17 October, 2015, 21:04

      He lies. Commits adultery with his best friends wife. He wants to ignore the Constitution. Yep, he’s a Democrat.

      Reply this comment
      • NTHEOC
        NTHEOC 17 October, 2015, 23:13

        Dude, when you tally the facts, there are a huge number – more than three times as many Republicans who have cheated on their wives than Democrats. But as usual with you, don’t let the facts get in the way.

        Reply this comment
        • Rex the Wonder Dog!
          Rex the Wonder Dog! 17 October, 2015, 23:16

          NTHEOC, aka doofus, who cares how many repugs or dems cheated, it is low life conduct and only a fool like you would try to justify it.

          Reply this comment
          • NTHEOC
            NTHEOC 17 October, 2015, 23:24

            Rex, that was my point jerkoff. I was responding to another post who brought it up. I’m not justifying it, just saying it exist in both parties.

          • Ted
            Ted "Doc VanNostrum " Steele 19 October, 2015, 18:05

            LOL Poor Poodle—- he has no idea at all about ANY of these issues and how bad NTHEOC has beat him/her up!!!! LMAO !

  8. NTHEOC
    NTHEOC 17 October, 2015, 21:20

    We need to abolish or modify the Second Amendment, firearms could be regulated by the federal government in the same fashion as any other potentially dangerous devices. While there is no way to guarantee that another Right wing Rambo wannabe would be deprived of access to a Glock, hitting the delete button on the Second Amendment surely would lower the odds against future mayhem and mass shootings.

    Reply this comment
    • Dude
      Dude 17 October, 2015, 21:29

      You’re suffering from dementia NTHEOC. You posted the same thing yesterday. I already told you there is only one legal way to “ban” guns. You have to change the Constitution. And once again….good luck with that.

      Reply this comment
      • NTHEOC
        NTHEOC 17 October, 2015, 23:03

        Dude, I love how you tea bagger Doomers love to use the constitution when it fits your agenda, but when it does not you cry like whiners! Good luck coming after our pensions…..

        Reply this comment
        • Rex the Wonder Dog!
          Rex the Wonder Dog! 17 October, 2015, 23:14

          Right NTHEOC, you are dumber than a bag if rocks… you are so lucky you were gifted your government workfare job, thanks to nepotism, otherwise you old be on welfare…..

          Reply this comment
          • NTHEOC
            NTHEOC 17 October, 2015, 23:20

            Lol, I like you rex. You always make me laugh!! Btw, I have no problem with nepotism whether in the public sector or private sector. Some people are just better and more qualified to do certain jobs they have been around their whole life.It is what it is.

          • Rex the Wonder Dog!
            Rex the Wonder Dog! 18 October, 2015, 22:13

            Btw, I have no problem with nepotism whether in the public sector or private sector. Some people are just better and more qualified to do certain jobs they have been around their whole life.
            Being better at a job, from whatever means, is the exact OPPOSITE of nepotism and cronyism, it is called meritocracy, which is unknown n trough feeder land; and if you (all trough feeders) had to compete for ANY job on merit you would lose all day long. Put that in your nepotism pipe and take a few hits! 🙂

        • Vietnamcorpsman
          Vietnamcorpsman 20 October, 2015, 15:17

          It seems to me that you left wing dummies have no concept as to what the second amendment is all about and why the feds want to take our guns and make no mistake about it they do. This amendment is there so, if necessary, we the people can over throw a tyrannical government like the one we have in place at the present time. Take a look back in history to the 1930’s and Hitler’s Germany, he took their guns and murdered more than 6 million Jews, look at Joseph Stalin and what he did to the people of Russia, 20 million of his countrymen dead, look at Chairman Mao, more that 20 million dead. And you want to take my means of self defense away from, go have sex with yourself, asshole!!

          Reply this comment
          • NTHEOC
            NTHEOC 22 October, 2015, 16:24

            Hey

          • NTHEOC
            NTHEOC 22 October, 2015, 16:27

            Hey Vietnam corpsman, No matter how many guns you have do you really think you could over throw our gov’t?? Lol, go play Gi Joe at your local paintball field and get your gun obsession off in a safe way!

    • ricky65
      ricky65 18 October, 2015, 09:49

      Blithering fool. The 2nd amendment is the guarantor of the 1st.

      Reply this comment
      • Teddy
        Teddy 20 October, 2015, 08:46

        LOL Ricky– turn down the Fox News and cartoons———maybe see about some meds??

        Reply this comment
  9. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 17 October, 2015, 22:07

    NTHEOC. Sounds like you have been smoking stupidweed from your hooka again please check your brain in ots showing signs of shrinkage from normal size to pea size

    Reply this comment
    • NTHEOC
      NTHEOC 17 October, 2015, 22:57

      Sorry Plover, but the tide is turning more toward my opinion than yours. WE THE PEOPLE are sick of you gun totting morons who hide behind the 2nd amendment. Im sure when the founding fathers wrote this section they were not thinking of a 300million population and AR15 assault rifles!

      Reply this comment
      • Rex the Wonder Dog!
        Rex the Wonder Dog! 17 October, 2015, 23:12

        Hahahaha…NTHEOC you just got destroyed son.

        Reply this comment
        • Teddy
          Teddy 18 October, 2015, 21:45

          LOL Poodle– he NEVER “got destroyed”………..you however have been wrecked and slammed out here so many times we have all lost track little buddy!!!!

          Reply this comment
          • Rex the Wonder Dog!
            Rex the Wonder Dog! 18 October, 2015, 22:15

            Pipe down you second rate chump, I own so much real state in your head I should be paying you rent son….

          • Ted
            Ted "Doc VanNostrum " Steele 19 October, 2015, 18:02

            Oh God Poodle– youre still using the lame jokes I taught you when I was beating you like a drum!

            lmao !!!!!!!!!

          • Rex the Wonder Dog!
            Rex the Wonder Dog! 19 October, 2015, 19:44

            Poawned AGAIN Chump….

  10. Ted
    Ted 17 October, 2015, 23:00

    Way to GO GAVIN !!!!!!!!!!

    Reply this comment
  11. Truthafuss
    Truthafuss 18 October, 2015, 04:39

    Just what the USA/California needs another nutjob zealot pandering to the hordes of nutjobs in California for a brave new world that conveniently fits their vision but is simply not working. Let’s just stay with the 2nd Amendment, make sure that lunatics don’t get guns, improve our mental facilities and care, and try to dampen all this election year grandstanding BS. And if ever there were a grandstander it is this guy.

    Reply this comment
  12. desmond
    desmond 18 October, 2015, 04:51

    He looks like someone who would be fun to hit with a baseball bat.
    Is there any doubt that if he was in the military, he would be terminated by his peers?

    Reply this comment
  13. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 18 October, 2015, 07:13

    NTHEOC. I guess your so stupid your a lost cuase stuck up there in Stupidland with the rest of the Anti-gun anti seconds amendment crowd of mindless twats

    Reply this comment
  14. Richard Rider
    Richard Rider 18 October, 2015, 07:19

    Actually NTHEOC has it right. Sorta.

    It’s time for the gun grabbers to ATTEMPT to repeal or “modify” the 2nd Amendment. No more skirting the Constitution with the aid of compliant courts. Face the issue head on.

    Let’s see the gun grabbers get a 2/3 majority in Congress to pass/repeal a gun amendment. Then get 3/4 of the state legislatures to ratify that amendment.

    Best of luck. Bring it!

    Gosh, I wonder why “the Brady Bunch” didn’t think of this obvious solution? Surely they should have pursued this option decades ago.

    Could it be that there’s not a chance in Hell such a Constitutional change can be made regarding the right to keep and bear arms? Ya think??

    Reply this comment
  15. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 18 October, 2015, 07:19

    Desmond. Newsrom like brown are the kind if someone hit them over their heads you would hear that hollow coconut sound like in one of those tree stooges films liberals heads are totaly vacant nothing in their caraniums at all shine a light in one ear and the light will come out from the other ear

    Reply this comment
    • Rex the Wonder Dog!
      Rex the Wonder Dog! 18 October, 2015, 22:18

      “…[Teddy Steals and NTHEOC are the kind if someone hit them over their heads you would hear that hollow coconut sound like in one of those tree stooges films…”

      Fixed 🙂

      Reply this comment
  16. desmond
    desmond 18 October, 2015, 15:18

    Just at Starbucks, saw a guy with a Team Obama shirt, asked him if he saw Putin wearing the same shirt. He looked at me with that empty cranium look.

    Reply this comment
  17. Queeg
    Queeg 18 October, 2015, 21:37

    Obama miffed collectivism…Hillary still has a chance with “the village”.

    Reply this comment
  18. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 18 October, 2015, 23:13

    Hallloweens next week wait for the obama,newsrom and Moonbeam zombies like NTHEOC to be marching around with that blank expression on their faces

    Reply this comment
    • NTHEOC
      NTHEOC 19 October, 2015, 21:34

      Wow plover, you are a disgruntled Doomer aren’t you! Listen Plover, I have never ONCE been wrong about a single topic that has been debated on this site. Not one! I just bring common sense,calm, and facts to every debate and then watch you DOOMERS spin out of control with your nutty predictions and opinions. It’s not my fault things just aren’t going your way. lol…..

      Reply this comment
      • ricky65
        ricky65 21 October, 2015, 12:49

        You are a left wing loon, NTHEOC.
        You mean like facts you bring to this thread like the declaration that 3 times more Republicans cheat on their wives as Dema-Rats? Cite please or did you just pull that from your ample backside?…or your idiotic comments regarding the framers intent with the Second Amendment? Did you think the framers also did not anticipate computers and the internet and therefore free speech should not be allowed over modern media?..or your ignorant position regarding the poisonous practice of nepotism? (Maybe that’s how you got your job with the corrupt Dema-rat party.) Plainly speaking,NTHEOC you’re a fool.

        And I’ve always wondered about that inscrutable monicker of yours: NTHEOC. What’s it mean?
        Wait, I got it.
        1.Nasty-Troll- Hating-Every-Overt-Conservative
        2. Notorious-Tranny-Hag-Expousing- Open-Commodes
        Contest here everybody. Anyone else have any ideas?

        Reply this comment
        • NTHEOC
          NTHEOC 21 October, 2015, 14:00

          her ya go little ricky,
          http://zplonk.tripod.com/cheating_republicans.html

          Reply this comment
          • NTHEOC
            NTHEOC 21 October, 2015, 14:13

            Ricky,
            Nice try with my monicker, I bet your really bad at word games or figuring out custom licence plates to! If you really want to know, I live in orange county amongst your fellow teabaggers.So, I’m NTHEOC! And Yes ricky the 2nd amendment is a little outdated for what it was intended for. Do you really need to arm yourself worried about a gov’t takeover? lol. The 2nd Amendment is outdated in a society where our standing army is the pride of our Nation, where well-trained police forces provide personal security, and where gun violence is a serious problem. I bet you also want to carry hand grenades, bazookas, and mounted M60s on the back of your Toyota. Sorry ricky, Americans are not on your side buddy.

          • Dude
            Dude 21 October, 2015, 14:57

            “where well-trained police forces provide personal security,”
            “…and where gun violence is a serious problem”

            The second statement contradicts the first NTHEOC, and your first is proof that your an uneducated liberal dolt….

            “Justices Rule Police Do Not Have a Constitutional Duty to Protect Someone”

            New York TImes – Linda Greenhouse, June 28, 2005

          • Dude
            Dude 21 October, 2015, 15:00

            And just to short-circuit an ill-conceived and undoubtedly untrue response…..

            “WASHINGTON, June 27 – The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the police did not have a constitutional duty to protect a person from harm, even a woman who had obtained a court-issued protective order against a violent husband making an arrest mandatory for a violation.”

          • Rex the Wonder Dog!
            Rex the Wonder Dog! 23 February, 2016, 04:32

            Ricky,
            Nice try with my monicker, I bet your really bad at …

            Well, one thing is is not bad at, but you are, is grammar!

            You’re= contraction of YOU ARE
            Your= possession, ownership!
            Monicker= Moniker

        • Dude
          Dude 21 October, 2015, 14:49

          Nutjob
          Thumbsucker
          Horrid
          Emptyheaded
          Oaf
          Clueless

          Reply this comment
      • Ted S
        Ted S 23 October, 2015, 18:16

        Well said NTHEOC !!

        Reply this comment
  19. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 19 October, 2015, 21:51

    NTHEOC. We have a U.S. Consatitution and th 2’nd Amendment thatgives us the right to Keep and Bear Arms and if you cant read munch past a few words then i suggest you go soak your head

    Reply this comment
  20. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 20 October, 2015, 09:18

    Doomers forgot Newsome is going to regulate your Roy Rodgers and Lone Ranger cap pistols….

    So there-

    Reply this comment
    • Dude
      Dude 20 October, 2015, 14:42

      Bwa ha ha ha ha ha! Just like Moonbeam “was” going to cut our gas by 50%. The adulterer’s attempt will die on a federal judge’s desk. No getting around, “Shall Not Be Infringed”.

      Reply this comment
  21. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 20 October, 2015, 13:23

    Newsrom and Brown walking side by side together wearing STUPID and I’M WITH STUPID T-Shirts

    Reply this comment
  22. Maggie
    Maggie 20 October, 2015, 13:34

    So what’s the solution ? Just let anyone or everyone be able to have a gun. I think 4 children have shot themselves or others this week, because they had access to a loaded gun. Is that Ok ?

    Reply this comment
    • Dude
      Dude 20 October, 2015, 14:45

      The problem Maggie is your perception that restricting law-abiding citizen’s from exercising their 2nd Amendment rights will somehow affect those law breaking nutjobs. How is it you people never get it. Laws are only obeyed by “law-abiding” citizens. These are the ones who AREN’T committing gun related crimes.

      Reply this comment
    • NTHEOC
      NTHEOC 21 October, 2015, 17:32

      Maggie, just yesterday a 4 y/o little girl was shot in the head in New Mexico from a road rage incident. The answer you will hear from Dude,Plover and the other Rambo wannabe gun nuts will go something like this. “Well if she were ARMED this would never had happened”….

      Reply this comment
      • Dude
        Dude 21 October, 2015, 17:53

        Another post from NTHEOC that justifies his well-earned reputation as a liberal nutjob. One thing is for sure, he can’t read minds. A child getting a hold of a gun because the father didn’t secure it is criminal negligence and should be prosecuted as such. Do you know how many small children die every year due to their parents unsecured prescription drugs? Of course you don’t because you’re not really concerned about the kids. You’re only concerned with what new tragic death can be used to further your attack on our Constitution. You have no credibility. Btw, your posts are all opinion and read as if written by some poor child who’s education has suffered from too many liberal administrations.

        Reply this comment
  23. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 20 October, 2015, 15:16

    Maggie. More kids have drowned in swimming pool should we ban swimming pools?

    Reply this comment
  24. desmond
    desmond 21 October, 2015, 03:29

    Bet we know the Lt. governor’s position on abortion…govt paid for on demand.
    People like him make me wonder if he is right.

    Reply this comment
  25. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 21 October, 2015, 08:09

    The next thing on the agendas of Twedle Dumb(Moonbeam)and Tweedle Dumber(Newsrom)will be manitory Gun Buybacks/Exchanges becuase like all brain-dead liberals they want to feel all warm and fuzzy inside even though their craniums are totaly empty nothing between their ears just shine a light in one ear and light comes out of the other just like all typical liberals

    Reply this comment
  26. Crusader Bob
    Crusader Bob 22 October, 2015, 07:31

    You anti-gun sissies crack me up. I enjoy watching you get murdered by the very criminals you love unconditionally.

    Less guns, more criminals. And while you’re at it, throw in ISIS and Al Qaeda who are already here and waiting for dumb monkeys like you to disarm.

    Reply this comment
    • Teddy
      Teddy 23 October, 2015, 18:14

      Cruisey Bobbi–

      You sound like a bit of a kook little buddy? I’m a gun owner—- I have two actually— I love my mod 66 sw .357 and my shotgun both GREAT for home protection—-
      BUT– I am still 100% behind sensible gun control—- you should be too little buddy!

      PLEASE respond with anger and oddness right away!

      Reply this comment
  27. Spurwing Plover
    Spurwing Plover 22 October, 2015, 17:25

    Crusader Bob. Do you mean twats like NTHEOC? and those drug and booze hollywood wanks(Jamie Fox,Liam Nession,James Carrey,Matt Damon,Etc)those same hollywood idiots who do ads for some dumb like Demand a Plan while using guns in their movies?

    Reply this comment
  28. Tired of CA Spend and Tax Liberals
    Tired of CA Spend and Tax Liberals 23 February, 2016, 00:55

    Fascinating that even you libs in the media fail to report the fact that CA. 10 day wait has been tied up in court and is pending an appeal having LOST, due to constitutional issues. Maryland’s gun grab is going to fall soon also, when are you media hacks going to start advising your Idiot lib. friends that the Taxpayers are only going to take losing all their tax dollars on failed court cases for so long before we start replacing these idiots. When are you going to realize why your newspapers are all struggling to survive in the internet age where people can get News not Liberal opinions….might think about doing your jobs for a change before you have no Job left. The second amendment protects the 1st, you may think about that once in awhile.

    Reply this comment

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