News

Judge Strikes Down California’s Assault Weapons Ban, Compares Them To ‘Swiss Army Knife’

U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez ruled Friday that California’s ban on assault weapons is a violation of the Second Amendment and struck the law down.

“This case is not about extraordinary weapons lying at the outer limits of Second Amendment protection. The banned ‘assault weapons’ are not bazookas, howitzers, or machineguns. Those arms are dangerous and solely useful for military purposes,” Benitez wrote in a ruling. “Instead, the firearms deemed ‘assault weapons’ are fairly ordinary, popular, modern rifles. This is an average case about average guns used in average ways for average purposes.”

Benitez also added that a state has no right to overstep the Constitution.

“Government is not free to impose its own new policy choices on American citizens where constitutional rights are concerned,” Benitez further wrote. “California may certainly conceive of a policy that a modern rifle is dangerous in the hands of a criminal, and that therefore it is good public policy to keep modern rifles out of the hands of every citizen. The Second Amendment stands as a shield from government imposition of that policy.”

Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!

A week of political news in your in-box.
We find the news you need to know, so you don't have to.

Following the decision, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) reacted angrily to the ruling.

“Today’s decision is a direct threat to public safety and the lives of innocent Californians, period,” said Newsom. “The fact that this judge compared the AR-15 – a weapon of war that’s used on the battlefield – to a Swiss Army Knife completely undermines the credibility of this decision and is a slap in the face to the families who’ve lost loved ones to this weapon.”

Dongyoon Shin

Share
Published by
Dongyoon Shin

Recent Posts

VIDEO: Bodycam Footage Shows Newark Mayor Ras Baraka’s Arrest Outside ICE Facility

https://youtu.be/LkXCk_ht3BY Bodycam footage released by the Department of Homeland Security shows the moment Ras Baraka,…

13 hours ago

Pope Leo Bashed JD Vance & Trump Administration’s Policy On Migrants Just Months Ago

On May 8, Robert Prevost was elected Pope Leo XIV. He is the first American…

18 hours ago

FBI Director Kash Patel Reprimanded For Failing To Produce Budget Required By Law

FBI director Kash Patel faced unwelcome scrutiny for failing to produce a timely budget. Last…

18 hours ago

JD Vance’s Pastor Brother, Cory Bowman, Runs Longshot Race For Cincinnati Mayor – After Never Previously Voting In A Local Election

Despite a short mayoral campaign, Cory Bowman, Vice President JD Vance's half-brother, found his way…

3 days ago

Trump Names 23rd Fox News Personality To His Administration – Jeanine Pirro As Interim U.S. Attorney For D.C.

President Donald Trump announced his new appointment as interim U.S. attorney for the District of…

3 days ago

Ford Raises Prices $2000 On Some Vehicle Models Due To Trump Tariffs

Ford Motor Company is increasing prices on several vehicles manufactured in Mexico, citing the impact…

3 days ago