When it comes to combating gun violence, California is a national leader, and I am proud to say I have had a hand in this effort. For more than a decade, I have worked to ban the open carry of firearms, raise the gun purchase age to 21, and reform California’s concealed carry permit regulations in partnership with Governor Newsom and Attorney General Bonta. I also authored and passed landmark safe storage legislation that President Biden is using as a model for federal law and was the subject of my comments on the panel.
I am passionate about this issue, and I have the experience needed to do more in Congress to reduce gun violence. We cannot accept routine mass shootings as part of American life. We cannot become numb to the pain and sorrow that have touched every part of our country. We cannot let these horrific crimes continue to happen —- and I’m doing my part to make sure that they don’t.
In this fight I have met many people whose lives have been personally and permanently affected by gun violence. Hearing their stories fuels my passion and inspires me to keep going. Mia Tretta is one of those incredibly brave gun violence survivors.
