California currently has one of the strictest gun control laws in the country. The state has a number of measures to prevent guns from getting into the wrong hands. This includes strictly imposed checks through the FBI Instant Criminal Background Check System. Other laws are also in place, most of which aren’t present in any other state. However, the laws that are in place are now in question, following the tragic shooting inside a California bar last week.
The recent shooting inside a bar in Thousand Oaks is similar to the other mass shooting that has recently taken place. However, California residents find it hard to believe that this could happen in their own state. David Long, a former United States Marine, walked into the Borderline Bar & Grill last week and opened fire on the crowd. The 28-year old Marine, who was reportedly suffering from PTSD, killed 12 people and injured several others. The crowd inside the bar were mostly college kids who were there enjoying their drinks and some country music. Most of them did not expect the shooting to happen.
Long came into the Ventura County bar with smoke grenades and a 45-caliber Glock. The gun had an extended magazine and was reportedly legal. Among the victims were Ventura County Sheriff Ron Helus, who responded to the incident. Shortly after the shooting, Long pointed the gun on himself and committed suicide .
According to reports, Long had no prior arrest history. However, Deputies reportedly responded to a disturbing the peace complaint at his home back in April. Long was never arrested, and authorities did not file any charges.
California recently changed the legal age to own a gun from 18 to 21. It has also banned the sale of assault rifles and bump stocks. Sales of ammunition in the state also required background checks, which is on top of the required background check for gun purchases. The state also recently passed the so-called “Red Flag” law. This law basically allows relatives and spouses to file a court order to block someone from buying a firearm.
Despite all of these laws put in place, the state has still fallen victim to gun violence. Right-wing advocates have recently used this argument to criticize the current gun laws. They used the recent California bar shooting as proof that these laws do not work. The other side argues that these laws do save lives, but no law can prevent all mass shootings.