May result in a national Constitutional Convention, which last occurred in 1787.
QUICK FACTS:
- California Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D) hearing for a national Constitutional amendment to limit gun access has been put on hold until August 29.
- The joint Assembly and Senate resolution may result in a national Constitutional Convention to bring the United States in unison with California gun laws and restrictions.
- Changes proposed in the amendment include universal background checks, ending gun ownership for those under the age of 21, and establishing a waiting period for gun transfers.
- “Assault weapons and other weapons of war” would be prohibited.
- A Constitutional Convention would be held if two-thirds of state legislatures adopt similar resolutions.
- Because there are many unknowns about how such events are organized, Constitutional experts are warning against the call for a convention.
REACTIONS TO A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION:
- According to Director of Constitutional Conventions and Protecting Dissent Programs Viki Harrison, “Doing a convention puts every civil right we have in this country at risk.”
- “The entire Constitution could be rewritten,” Harrison told The Center Square.
- “The amendment process is a lot more in the open,” Harrison added. “You’re going through the state legislatures where people can testify. You are going through Congress where people can interact with their legislators and their senators.”
- The amendment process involves two-thirds of both houses of Congress and three-fourths of state legislatures ratifying an amendment to become law, a system seen by every Constitutional amendment.
- A group opposing the California-led process said that “once a Constitutional Convention is called, it cannot be undone. No resolution from the State of California will have any binding authority on what could occur should a Convention actually be called.”
BACKGROUND:
- When Newsom announced the proposal for the 28th Amendment in June, he said, “Our ability to make a more perfect union is literally written into the Constitution.”
- “So today, I’m proposing the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to do just that. The 28th Amendment will enshrine in the Constitution common sense gun safety measures that Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and gun owners overwhelmingly support – while leaving the 2nd Amendment unchanged and respecting America’s gun-owning tradition.”
