Attorney General Bonta Fights to Protect the Public from Gun Violence in Sensitive Places

Files brief in support of New Jersey law prohibiting guns in public places such as schools, libraries, and places of worship 

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta today, joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in support of states’ rights to enact laws that protect their residents from gun violence. In the brief, the attorneys general urge the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit to reverse a decision by a district court blocking enforcement of a New Jersey law, which places reasonable restrictions prohibiting the carrying of firearms on private property without consent and in public places like bars, airports, and places of worship. The brief argues that the law is in line with a long tradition of constitutionally acceptable regulations designed to meet states’ responsibility to protect their residents from gun violence.
 
“At the California Department of Justice, we believe in the power of commonsense gun laws to protect our communities,” said Attorney General Bonta. "Nobody should have to fear gun violence while at work, in school, or in prayer. That’s why laws such as New Jersey’s are critical — they keep guns away from sensitive community places where people gather to travel, learn, and work. My office will continue fighting to protect California families from this epidemic of gun violence.”
 
The coalition supports New Jersey in its effort to overturn a district court decision in Koons v. Platkin finding the law to be likely unconstitutional. The attorneys general urge the appeals court to reverse the district court’s order arguing that the law fits within a long tradition of constitutionally permissible gun regulations. New Jersey’s list of sensitive places where firearms are prohibited — including sites of demonstrations and events, zoos, parks, beaches, libraries, museums, bars and restaurants where alcohol is served, theaters, stadiums, casinos, health care facilities, vehicles, and private property held open to the public — is reasonable and necessary to protect the public from a heightened risk of gun violence in such locations.

A copy of the brief can be found here.