BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Amidst a wave of new laws taking effect this year, the California state government is focused on implementing gun regulations aimed at securing a safer future. However, Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood argues that one of these laws is attempting to fix a non-existent problem. In an interview with Eyewitness News, Sheriff Youngblood expressed his skepticism about the effectiveness of Senate Bill 2 in reducing violent crime. The existing law prohibits the public carrying of firearms and seeks to restrict individuals with concealed carry permits from bringing weapons into sensitive locations like churches, bars, parks, and playgrounds.
To obtain a concealed carry permit (CCW), individuals must be at least 21 years old, have completed firearms training, and pass a background check. The intention behind this law is to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands and to curb the incidence of mass shootings, which the United States has unfortunately witnessed numerous times in recent years. However, Sheriff Youngblood contends that these regulations unfairly stigmatize law-abiding citizens who simply wish to exercise their right to self-defense.
The sheriff argues that laws enacted against firearms seldom influence criminals, as they are likely to disregard them anyway. In his view, such legislation only penalizes law-abiding individuals and restricts their ability to protect themselves and their families, a right guaranteed under the Second Amendment of the Constitution. Sheriff Youngblood questions the necessity of Senate Bill 2, noting that there has never been a mass shooting in California involving a concealed carry permit holder.
Despite the sheriff’s reservations, a federal appeals court intervened on Saturday and blocked the new law. Governor Newsom criticized the decision, expressing concern over the potential implications for Californians’ safety. However, Kern County is not alone in opposing the California law. Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux supports the appellate court’s ruling, asserting that the data does not support the notion that law-abiding citizens are the primary culprits behind gun abuse or criminal activities.
In summary, while California moves ahead with implementing new gun laws, there are dissenting voices among law enforcement officials. Kern County Sheriff Donny Youngblood and Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux are both skeptical of Senate Bill 2, arguing that it fails to address the actual sources of violence and disproportionately affects responsible gun owners. However, a federal appeals court has temporarily halted the law, creating a debate around public safety and individual rights in California.