• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Judge rules California’s assault weapon ban violates Second Amendment

'Under no level of heightened scrutiny can the law survive'

Colt

(Max Pixel)

June 5, 2021
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

SAN DIEGO — U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez overturned California’s three-decade ban on assault weapons Friday, saying it violates the Second Amendment. The lawsuit was filed by the San Diego County Gun Owners Political Action Committee, California Gun Rights Foundation, Second Amendment Foundation and Firearms Policy Coalition.

“Under no level of heightened scrutiny can the law survive,” Benitez said before issuing a permanent injunction that takes effect in 30 days, Fox News reported.

Benitez compared the AR-15 rifle—restricted in California since 1989—to a Swiss Army knife, saying it’s “a perfect combination of home defense weapon and homeland defense equipment. Good for both home and battle.” In his ruling, he said the state’s definition of illegal military-style rifles prohibits firearms allowed in other states, which deprives California gun owners of their Second Amendment rights.

“One is to be forgiven if one is persuaded by news media and others that the nation is awash with murderous AR-15 assault rifles,” Benitez said in the ruling, referring to AR-15s as “ordinary guns” in comparison to bazookas, howitzers, or machine guns that he said should only be used in the military. “The facts, however, do not support this hyperbole, and facts matter.”

Benitez—who is a Cuban immigrant nominated to the federal bench by President George W. Bush in 2003—noted there are currently an estimated 185,569 assault weapons registered in California despite the ban in a state that has the strictest gun laws in the nation, according to Fox.

California Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom was unhappy with the decision, and the state’s Attorney General Rob Bonta said they will appeal the ruling.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: AR-15CaliforniaJudge Roger BenitezSecond Amendment
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

David Brinson

Four-time convicted murderer now accused of strangling wife to death during conjugal prison visit

March 21, 2025
melons

Meth in the melons

August 23, 2024
Ezequiel Romo

Notorious gang leader stabbed to death in prison

July 23, 2024
Jose Carmen Cardona

Man previously deported multiple times charged with triple homicide

July 15, 2024
California man captured

California man captured after parents, dog found decapitated

July 11, 2024
Eduardo Hernandez

Escaped California convict captured in New York after 13 years on the run

July 1, 2024
Load More

Latest Articles

Melissa Hortman

Former Minnesota House Speaker Assassinated in Attack on Multiple Lawmakers

June 14, 2025

Sheriff: If You Throw a Brick At Our Deputy, ‘We Will Kill You, Graveyard Dead’

June 13, 2025

Former USAID Officer and Executives Plead Guilty in $550 Million Bribery Scheme

June 13, 2025

A Case Study in Federal Corruption and Media Silence

June 12, 2025

‘Completely blew it’: Former union president calls out Minneapolis Police Department leadership missteps

June 12, 2025
Pixabay

Police Shoot Man Wielding Chainsaw During Disturbance

June 12, 2025
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

Protect Your Privacy

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

POPULAR GEAR

Tactical Pants

Tactical Boots

 

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2024 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Advertise
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2024 LawOfficer.com