OAN’s Roy Francis
2:25 PM – Friday, June 9, 2023
Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has extended a challenge to California Governor Gavin Newsom to a debate on gun rights.
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On Thursday, Newsom’s (D-Calif.) office announced that he has proposed a 28th amendment to the Constitution which consist of four gun control measures.
The measures proposed by the California governor include raising the legal age to purchase a firearm from 18 to 21, requiring universal background checks, instituting a “reasonable” waiting period for firearm purchase, and preventing civilians from buying what he referred to as “assault weapons.”
The governor supported his new proposal by claiming that they are “widely supported” by the public and that they will “enshrine” common sense gun safety measures, although his announcement faced criticism on Twitter and from Republicans as well.
“The 28th Amendment will enshrine in the Constitution common sense gun safety measures that Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and gun owners overwhelmingly support,” Newsom said. “While leaving the 2nd Amendment unchanged and respecting America’s gun-owning tradition.”
While Newsom has been known to advocate for stronger gun control laws, Governor Reeves (R-Miss.) has been known as a strong proponent of gun rights, and has also signed legislature which expanded gun rights in his state.
In April, Reeves signed a bill which blocked the creation of gun registries saying that the state needs to guard “against any action that threatens our liberties.”
“Across the country, national Democrats’ are pushing unconstitutional gun grabs that threaten the safety and privacy of law-abiding gun owners,” he said after signing the new bill in April. “Unlike California and New York, we’re proud to welcome the firearms industry and gun owners from across the country to enjoy the protections that our state has to offer.”
On Thursday, Reeves retweeted Newsom’s announcement and called on the governor to debate him on his new proposals.
“Gov. Newsom, I am willing to debate you on this in Mississippi any time,” Reeves said. “So on your next trip to our state to campaign for my opponent, give me a call.”
Newsom replied by claiming that Mississippi “has the highest gun violence death rate in the nation.”
“Can’t wait for you to defend the fact that Mississippi has the highest gun violence death rate in the nation,” Newsom tweeted. “(377% higher than California’s, by the way) You can’t be serious.”
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By: OAN
