Portrait of Gavin Newsom
Politician · policy
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Gavin Newsom on Gun Control

Strong gun control advocate (strong)

TL;DR

Gavin Newsom consistently advocates for and signs expansive state-level gun control legislation while also pushing for national constitutional change.

Key Points

  • He championed a ballot initiative as lieutenant governor that established mandatory background checks for ammunition purchases, a first in the nation.

  • In 2023, he signed a bill adding an 11% excise tax on guns and ammunition, which is currently facing legal challenges.

  • The Governor proposed a 'Right to Safety' constitutional amendment that would raise the minimum gun purchase age to 21 and ban assault rifles for civilians.

Summary

Gavin Newsom is a staunch proponent of stricter gun control measures, a core component of his political identity throughout his tenure as Governor and previously as Lieutenant Governor. His administration has actively signed numerous pieces of legislation aimed at regulating firearms, ammunition sales, and ownership in California, often resulting in legal challenges from Second Amendment advocacy groups. A key part of his current stance is a high-profile, long-shot effort to enact a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which would codify measures such as universal background checks, a minimum age of 21 for gun purchases, mandatory waiting periods, and a ban on civilian ownership of assault weapons nationwide.

This aggressive push for state and national reform comes as California's existing strict gun laws face increased judicial scrutiny following significant Supreme Court rulings that have overturned parts of the state's framework. While championing these state laws—like excise taxes on firearms and ammunition, and bans on certain handgun types—the Governor frames the proposed constitutional amendment as a necessary path forward when Congress and the courts fail to act. Despite his efforts, the national campaign for the amendment has seen limited adoption outside of California as of early 2025.

Key Quotes

“If Congress and the courts will not take action to help make our communities safer from gun violence, then we — the people — must do it ourselves.”

“Brother, this is fabulous.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Gavin Newsom strongly supports comprehensive gun control, consistently signing bills to restrict firearm access and ownership in California. He views this as a public safety imperative amid high rates of gun violence nationwide.

His commitment to gun control appears consistent, although his tactics have evolved. He has moved from championing state-level laws to proposing an unprecedented national constitutional amendment to bypass political and judicial gridlock.

The Governor's most ambitious proposal is the 'Right to Safety' 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This would mandate national standards including universal background checks, a minimum age of 21, and an assault weapon ban.