9th Circuit Strikes Down California Gun Purchase Limit, Reviews Open Carry Restrictions

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals is currently reviewing significant challenges to California's gun laws, focusing on restrictions that limit open carry permits to residents of less populated counties, effectively banning most urban residents from carrying firearms openly. Judge Lawrence VanDyke, a Trump appointee, highlighted how this licensing structure mirrors a New York law struck down by the Supreme Court for violating the Second Amendment, emphasizing that many Californians are effectively barred from open carry anywhere in the state. The court is also examining whether the ability to carry a concealed weapon satisfies Second Amendment rights when open carry is prohibited. In a related ruling, the Ninth Circuit declared California's 'one-gun-a-month' purchase limit unconstitutional, stating that the Second Amendment protects possession and acquisition of multiple firearms without undue restrictions. This decision builds on the Supreme Court's 2022 Bruen ruling, potentially setting a precedent that could impact gun control laws nationwide. Together, these cases reflect a judicial pushback against California's stringent gun regulations, underscoring ongoing debates over the scope of Second Amendment protections.