SouthernWorldwide.com – The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a stern warning to California, threatening legal action if the state proceeds with its planned “Glock ban.” The federal government contends that the new state law infringes upon the Second Amendment rights of citizens to bear arms.
In a formal letter addressed to California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon asserted that California residents possess the constitutional right to own and utilize modern handguns for self-defense.
Dhillon emphasized that individuals should not be compelled to rely on outdated firearm models for their safety, whether at home or in public spaces.
This development comes as California’s Assembly Bill 1127, colloquially known as the “Glock ban,” is scheduled to take effect on July 1. Governor Newsom signed the bill into law last fall.
The legislation prohibits licensed firearms dealers from selling or transferring any pistol deemed “machinegun-convertible.” State officials argue that Glocks, which are semi-automatic pistols, fall under this classification because their trigger mechanisms can be readily modified using illegal aftermarket conversion devices.
Existing owners of these firearms are permitted to retain them, and sales to law enforcement agencies or the military are exempt from these new restrictions.
Dhillon indicated her approval to file a federal lawsuit against California officials regarding the law. However, she proposed that the filing could be postponed if the state agrees to engage in pre-suit negotiations.
The letter outlined the minimum requirements for a resolution, which include the State: (1) immediately halting the enforcement of the identified laws; (2) acknowledging the unconstitutionality of these statutes; and (3) committing to a court-enforceable consent decree that permanently prevents the State from violating its citizens’ constitutional rights through these or similar legislative measures.
California officials have been given a deadline of 5 p.m. on Tuesday to agree to participate in these pre-suit discussions.
“We are hopeful that the State shares our desire to reach a voluntary resolution to this matter,” Dhillon stated in the letter.
