Vowing that “California won’t wait” until the next mass shooting to act, Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sept. 24 signed a package of bills with a goal of strengthening firearms regulations and preventing gun violence.
One new law, Assembly Bill 2642—authored by Assemblyman Marc Berman and also known as the PEACE Act—prohibits intimidation, threats, coercion and attempts to influence elections officials. The bill also declares the acts of openly carrying firearms or imitation guns while observing or interacting with election activities a crime.
The author said the law is needed to protect voters and election workers.
“In an era when our nation faces an epidemic of gun violence, as well as escalating threats to elections officials and volunteers, we must prepare for the worst and continue to strengthen our election security and accessibility,” Berman said in legislative analyses. “California has long been at the forefront of implementing sensible gun reform and strengthening access to our elections. The PEACE Act would continue this work and ensure that Californians have the freedom to vote without the fear of intimidation.”
The law could be challenged in court, as consultants with the Senate Judiciary Committee found possible Second Amendment implications, depending on how the judicial system ultimately rules on lawsuits challenging the state’s prohibition on carrying firearms
The governor said the new laws advance the Golden State’s “nation leading” gun statutes.
www.theepochtimes.com/us/california-governor-signs-22-bills-that-tighten-gun-laws-and-aim-to-reduce-violence-5730335?