California Governor Gavin Newsom took to Twitter Thursday morning to announce he proposed a new four-part constitutional amendment to restrict gun rights in America.
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Newsom began the announcement video by claiming that conservatives tell Americans there’s “nothing” we can do after mass shootings. This is factually inaccurate; the Republican-dominated Tennessee legislature passed extensive measures to shore up school security.
The Golden State Governor then proposed a new 28th amendment to the US Constitution; Newsom included four measures to combat the issue.
“I’m proposing the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to help end our nation’s gun violence crisis. The American people are sick of Congress’ inaction. The 28th will enshrine 4 widely supported gun safety freedoms — while leaving the 2nd Amendment intact: 1) Raising the minimum age to purchase a gun to 21 2) Universal background checks 3) A reasonable waiting period for gun purchases 4) Banning the civilian purchase of assault weapons.”
NEW: I’m proposing the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution to help end our nation’s gun violence crisis.
The American people are sick of Congress’ inaction.
The 28th will enshrine 4 widely supported gun safety freedoms — while leaving the 2nd Amendment intact:
1)… pic.twitter.com/ZJ7fyfH0Cf
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) June 8, 2023
At no point did Newsom specify what he meant by “assault weapons,” nor did he set the length or purpose of the waiting period. He also claimed that the founding fathers “never foresaw” that weapons technology would continue to advance to the level of something approximating an “assault weapon.”
Coming from the party who cant define what a woman is, who will define what an Assault Weapon is? pic.twitter.com/DMfCEvzxYV
— Scott84HendersonFL1776 (@SangerEatbabies) June 8, 2023
The video also attacks “NRA-owned politicians” while playing a video of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, although Newsom did not substantiate the implication.
Other users questioned the California governor for his seemingly conflicting views on maturity with age.
The cherry on top is that this discount Batman villain says someone must be 21 to buy a gun but that teens can get hormones and surgery.
— AF Gibson (@AVZFernandes) June 8, 2023
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However, most of the backlash was directed at Newsom punching above his weight class: looking to enact permanent nationwide change while failing to run just his state of California effectively.
NEW: I’m proposing the 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution. It's called: "Governors who have over 20 billion debt on their resume must be fired." Let's see which one wins.
— Tanya Berlaga (@TBerlaga) June 8, 2023
Don't let Gavin Newsom Californiaize the rest of the country pic.twitter.com/IXrsAfxdeB
— Kevin Dalton (@TheKevinDalton) June 8, 2023
Most scathingly, one user pointed out that Newsom’s proposed limits on firearms would, while restricting the protective capacity of the everyday American, would likely not affect the measures to protect his safety whatsoever.
When will you give up your 6 bodyguards, Gavin…?
— Gusano (@mistergusano) June 8, 2023
Newsom also pitched the idea on the Today Show, where he called gun violence an “existential” threat. The Today Show framed his concept as “historic” and “unprecedented.” But one Twitter user bristled at the characterization.
“Historic would be cleaning up California. Historic would be a real journalist at NBC asking Newsom if he wants to make the country like California. Historic would be you asking Newsom any question about his record,” the user said.
Historic would be cleaning up California. Historic would be a real journalist at NBC asking Newsom if he wants to make the country like California. Historic would be you asking Newsom any question about his record.
— ℝ𝕠𝕔𝕜𝕖𝕥 (@rdbrewer4) June 8, 2023
To call a Constitutional Convention at all, Newsom would require the support of two-thirds of the states.
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