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Gun advocates file lawsuit to overturn
California open-carry restrictions
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 [August 19, 2016]
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (Reuters) - A
California gun rights group has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to
overturn the state's restrictions on openly carrying firearms.
The California Rifle and Pistol Association, the local arm of the
National Rifle Association, and four gun advocates filed suit against
Democratic Attorney General Kamala Harris and Los Angeles Sheriff James
McDonnell on Wednesday, saying state law granted cities and counties too
much power to restrict the open carry of firearms by residents who wish
to do so.
The lawsuit said that in light of a recent ruling by the U.S. 9th
Circuit Court of Appeals upholding restrictions on carrying concealed
weapons, the state must allow open carry because to do otherwise would
effectively strip most people of their right to bear arms under the
Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
The attorney general's office did not comment on the case other than to
say officials were reviewing it.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Central District of
California in Los Angeles, comes as the NRA and other gun rights
organizations are embroiled in numerous battles with gun control
advocates in the most populous U.S. state. Last month, Democratic
Governor Jerry Brown signed several gun control measures into law,
including one requiring background checks for ammunition purchases.
Gun rights advocates have expressed alarm over the measures, calling the
package of bills a "gunpocalypse."
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A gun rights supporter carries his Ruger model SR9 pistol on his hip
during a rally in support of the Michigan Open Carry gun law in
Romulus, Michigan April 27, 2014. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook
Another gun control package will go before voters on the November
ballot.
(Reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Peter Cooney and David
Gregorio)
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