Attorney General Alan Wilson of South Carolina has joined two amicus briefs challenging gun control laws in California and New Jersey, arguing that these regulations violate the Second Amendment rights of citizens.
California’s law requires a background check for every ammunition purchase and mandates that sales to residents occur through face-to-face transactions with licensed sellers. Residents can avoid a wait time of six to seven days for background check results by registering their firearms with the state’s Automated Firearms System, but according to the briefs, this system incorrectly denies purchases at least 11% of the time.
In New Jersey, legislation prohibits carrying firearms in various public spaces deemed “sensitive places,” including zoos, parks, beaches, venues serving alcohol, entertainment facilities, and public recreation areas.
“As our states’ top prosecutors, we’re in favor of making our communities safer,” Attorney General Wilson stated. “These restrictions in California and New Jersey infringe on the Second Amendment rights of their citizens.”
“Our Founding Fathers did not restrict the right to bear arms to ‘non-sensitive’ places,” Attorney General Wilson continued. “This right is vital to those in high-crime areas where law enforcement is stretched thin. These citizens’ ability to purchase ammunition and protect themselves in public places should not be infringed upon.”
More than 20 attorneys general from across the country have joined Wilson in supporting these briefs.
The South Carolina Attorney General serves as the state’s chief prosecutor and legal counsel, overseeing criminal matters, civil litigation, consumer protection efforts, and regulatory enforcement statewide. The office collaborates with law enforcement agencies on prosecutions and provides victim support services throughout South Carolina. More information about its operations can be found on its official website.
