Watch CBS News

California's Lieutenant Governor Wants To Put Gun Control In Hands Of Voters

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — California's Lieutenant Governor is calling for California to lead the charge to stop gun violence with a ballot measure that would crack down on weapons and ammunition.

In a state with some of the toughest gun laws in the nation, statistics show California has also been at the top of the list for the highest number of murders in the United States.

Lt. Gavin Newsom's plan is to restrict ammunition, not gun sales. And he had a message for the National Rifle Association.

"I'll say this to the NRA—with all due respect, you can intimidate the politicians, we've seen that. Hell, you've been effective," he said. "But you can't intimidate the public. That's why we're bringing this directly to the public."

Newsom's initiative would have Californians vote on measures requiring background checks for ammunition sales and requiring gun owners to turn in assault-style magazines.

He calls it "safety for all"

Gun shopper Jack Oehmigen calls it overkill. 

"They're trying to put the blame on the gun," he said. "Oh it's the gun's fault. What they gonna do-start outlawing cars? People are killed in car wrecks all the time."

But for Janet Melac, who is getting ready to send her son off to college, stricter gun laws are long overdue.

"It was the first question I asked the gal on campus: What kind of security do they have on campus?" she said. "I think think that people in California hopefully know that we don't need that kind of firepower. Why do you need that kind of fire power?"

Newsom also got personal while reflecting on the latest high-profile shootings in Newtown and Roseburg.

"The fact that I am scared now to send my kids to preschool—more preschool kids are being shot than police officers in the line of duty—the fact that I have to worry about who's sitting behind me in a movie theatre or spending an afternoon with my kids in a shopping mall and worry about someone that's gonna come out gun people down is insane," he said.

The California Firearms Association says it's already gearing up to take action against the proposed ballot measure.

Recent polls show Californians are more in favor of gun restrictions than any other state.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.