Gavin Newsom Proposes New Amendment To The U.S. Constitution

The Governor Of California has proposed a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution...

Photo byGage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons

California Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed a 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to enshrine gun safety measures into law. According to a press release by the Governor's office, the Amendment would include universal background checks, raising the firearm purchase age to 21, and instituting a firearm purchase waiting period.

“Our ability to make a more perfect union is literally written into the Constitution,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “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.”

“We cannot stand idly while courts roll back our work and diminish the ability of our Legislature to keep Californians safe," said Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer. "This bold but fair resolution calls on other states to join us in protecting some of the most effective ways of reducing gun violence.”

For Gavin Newsom's proposed 28th Amendment to be enshrined into the U.S. Constitution, two-thirds of all statehouses in the United States must consent to the initial meeting, and another three-quarters must fully support the Amendment. And while that's not an impossible goal to achieve, it would certainly be an uphill battle.

Polling data suggests some policies included in Gavin Newsom's proposed 28th Amendment are popular amongst the American public. A Fox News Poll for example, finds most voters favor the following proposals:

• Raising the legal age to buy a gun to 21 (81%)
• Improving enforcement of existing gun laws (81%)
• Requiring mental health checks on gun buyers (80%)
• Requiring criminal background checks on all gun buyers (87%)
• Requiring a 30-day waiting period for all gun purchases (77%)
• Allowing police to take guns from those considered a danger to themselves or others (80%)

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