California, the most populous state in America, is also the toughest when it comes to gun control laws, which angers many who feel the legislation infringes on their Second Amendment rights.
"Who is government or any elected official to say this is what you need to protect yourself?" said
Sam Paredes, a board member on the Gun Owners of California, told KPCC in December 2012. "That is the height of arrogance."
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Last month, a federal judge delivered a win for California gun rights supporters when he ruled against a law that requires a 10-day waiting period for gun purchases by owners who have already passed a background check and have a permit or certificate of eligibility to own a gun.
The waiting period remains in place for first-time gun buyers, however.
"The 10-day waiting period burdens the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms," Eastern District of California Judge Anthony W. Ishii said in his ruling.
Jeff Silvester, one of the plaintiffs in the case, said in a statement: "This is a great win for Second Amendment civil rights and common sense. I couldn't be happier with how this case turned out."
The second plaintiff in the case, Calguns Foundation executive director Brandon Combs, was also pleased with the decision.
"California gun owners are not second-class citizens and the Second Amendment doesn't protect second-class rights,"
Combs said, Fox News reported. "This decision is an important step towards restoring fundamental individual liberties in the Golden State."
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California received an "A-" grade based on a
Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence-conducted national review of state laws in 30 different weapon-related areas. The organization assigned points for having what it considered "effective legislation" in each policy area, with more points awarded for tougher laws.
A final letter grade touted the state's overall strength or weakness. California was one of five states to receive the highest grade, along with New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Maryland. States with the broadest interpretation of Second Amendment rights included Arizona, Alaska, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Texas.
Further, the Law Center praised California for being a model by which other states should follow.
The Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence is a non-profit organization dedicated to ending gun violence in America. Formed after the July 1, 1993 assault gun massacre at a San Francisco law firm, it strives to elect officials who support "common sense gun laws," according to the organization's website.
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