California 's blatantly unconstitutional, anti-2A law 'openly defiant of the Supreme Court' takes effect

California's Senate Bill 2, a radical ban on public possession of a firearm in twenty-six classes of "sensitive places," became effective on January 1st. With this new law, California has in effect banned the practical application of the Second Amendment in the state in what a federal judge called a law "repugnant to the Second Amendment." 

In a Saturday ruling, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals stayed a ruling from Judge Cormac Carney, allowing the law he described as "openly defiant of the Supreme Court," to take effect, as reported by Reason.

The new law was called by California Rifle & Pistol Association general counsel C.D. Michel, "an effort to get around Bruen," according to The New York Times, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen that struck down states limiting the carry of firearms outside the home.

The Firearms Policy Coalition explained in a lawsuit against California: Carralero v. Bonta that "SB2 bars carry essentially everywhere in the state except for on public streets and sidewalks and at privately-owned businesses that expressly allow carry," and the state of California conceded this was true.

Judge Cormac Carney observed on December 20, when he issued the preliminary injunction stayed on Saturday that S.B. 2 "turns nearly every public place in California into a 'sensitive place,' effectively abolishing the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding and exceptionally qualified citizens to be armed and to defend themselves in public."

He explained, "California will not allow concealed carry permitholders to effectively practice what the Second Amendment promises. SB2's coverage is sweeping, repugnant to the Second Amendment, and openly defiant of the Supreme Court."

Carney noted that S.B. 2 eliminated both the "special need" and "good cause" requirements from California's licensing regulations.

The legislators who drafted the bill suggested this created a situation "broadly allowing individuals to carry firearms in most public areas," and turned to torturous location restrictions on where firearms may be carried to apply what is in effect a near-total ban.

Author and veteran of the Ventura County Sheriff's Department Don Shift wrote on Dec. 31st that "California Cops MUST Ignore SB2 and CCW Violations," and provided three key arguments against it.

He argues that arrests under this law will be "meaningless," given that "this law will ultimately be overturned"; no one will be protected under the law given that it only targets people with licenses to carry a firearm; and that the law is "revenge for the Supreme Court affirming the right to armed self-defense; thus, states had to become 'shall issue' for CCW permits."

In response to California Governor Gavin Newsom's statement claiming "overwhelming support" for S.B. 2, The Firearms Policy Coalition wrote on December 30th, "No level of support justifies violating the rights of peaceable people, and the death of these public carry bans is inevitable. We look forward to harvesting your tears with great joy in our hearts."