Californians See an Additional Three Guns Added to their Handgun Roster Amid Legal Troubles

This list of “legal handguns” to be purchased in California limits the number of firearms California residents can lawfully buy without going through alternative channels. And now, three new firearms have been added, broadening the options.

Implemented in 2001, the California Handgun Roster specified that any firearm not in the list is effectively banned. The only way California gun owners can obtain it is through specific channels, like third-party sales or trade-ins. 

Others say, why would the government limit the number of handguns sold in California?

Then this poses the question, Isn’t the risk higher if gun owners can’t purchase a certain firearm legally but must go through other, perhaps unsafer, ways?

For example, California is one of only four states that restrict Americans from openly carrying firearms in public.

Many deem this a breach of the Constitution. However, there is a small exemption that allows people living in counties with 200,000 or fewer residents to openly carry their guns. 

The law prohibits Americans from carrying concealed guns into churches, banks, zoos, public parks, and playgrounds. One exception allows private businesses to decide whether or not they allow citizens to bring guns onto their premises. 

He continued, “Californians overwhelmingly support efforts to ensure that places like hospitals, libraries, and children’s playgrounds remain safe and free from guns.”

Nonetheless, despite all of the restrictions on guns in Golden State, many argue the gun roster list is one that irritates them the most, as they believe the government should have no say in what kind of weapon they own. 

These requirements include microstamping, loaded chamber indicators and magazine disconnects. Any new models become nearly impossible to enter the list thanks to these requirements.

But other requirements were reinstated upon appeal (loaded chamber indicator, magazine disconnect). Only the microstamping requirement remains unenforced. Still, this allows manufacturers to submit their firearms for inclusion on the roster.

In early May, another one was added to the roster. This time, it’s the Kahr CW9. While it’s not a new model, the inclusion of the weapon in the roster gives Californians more choice.

To be specific, they are the P320 XF (4.7-inch barrel), the P320 X5 Legion (5-inch barrel) and the P365 Comp MS (3.1-inch barrel). These models serve a range of preferences and needs, from full-size to compact options. 

Seven new additions within two months to the roster, which has been standing still for many years, can be considered game-changing. But it also sparks another debate: Is the roster even needed anymore?

Despite these current additions, that the roster continues to exist clearly shows that many firearms are still inaccessible to law-abiding citizens in California.

Actually, the legal landscape regarding the California Handgun Roster is still evolving, and it could go either way in the future. 

If successful, these cases can potentially open the door for a wider variety of legal firearms purchases and allow Californian gun enthusiasts to obtain weapons they could not otherwise. 

Therefore, the addition of these new gun models to the roster can be considered a big win. However, it still remains to be seen what other changes may happen with the ongoing legal battles regarding the Second Amendment. The state and federal governments are unlikely to give up control easily.

The state and federal governments are unlikely to give up control easily, and we could witness several more lawsuits in the future. 

In 2023, experts say that the number of gun-related deaths decreased, but the number of mass shootings increased. 

Thus, the debates will continue about balancing public safety concerns with protecting constitutional rights in terms of firearms regulations. As with everything in politics, everyone has their own opinion.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that our gun violence rate has dropped much more than the rest of the country. My suspicion is that our robust regulatory system has a lot to do with it.”

“Women bear the brunt of the elevated risks. The fatal assaults they experienced often took the form of being shot by men they lived with,” said Yifan Zhang, a study co-author.

However, once again, this is a classic case of a clash of opinions. For many, they believe the decision to carry their concealed weapons should not be of the government’s concern.