California governor plans to model a gun control law after recent Texas abortion legislation

California Governor Gavin Newsom plans to implement a ban on assault weapons and “ghost guns” modeled after Texas’ recent restrictive abortion law.

The measure would allow Californians to sue gun manufacturers, distributors or sellers for damages. The bill would follow the same process Texas has legislated to effectively ban abortions after six weeks, which has been upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

“I have directed my staff to work with the Legislature and the Attorney General on a bill that would create a right of action allowing private citizens to seek injunctive relief, and statutory damages of at least $10,000 per violation plus costs and attorney’s fees, against anyone who manufactures, distributes, or sells an assault weapon or ghost gun kit or parts in the State of California,” said Newsom in a statement released by his office. “If the most efficient way to keep these devastating weapons off our streets is to add the threat of private lawsuits, we should do just that.”

Newsom’s statement comes in response to a Supreme Court ruling on Friday that allows Texas to effectively ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. The Texas measure allows citizens to sue abortion clinics and anyone who “aids and abets” with the procedure. The Supreme Court allowed the law to remain in effect but it also allows legal challenges to the law to proceed.

“SCOTUS is letting private citizens in Texas sue to stop abortion?! If that’s the precedent then we’ll let Californians sue those who put ghost guns and assault weapons on our streets,” Newsom tweeted. “If TX can ban abortion and endanger lives, CA can ban deadly weapons of war and save lives.”

SCOTUS is letting private citizens in Texas sue to stop abortion?!

If that's the precedent then we'll let Californians sue those who put ghost guns and assault weapons on our streets.

If TX can ban abortion and endanger lives, CA can ban deadly weapons of war and save lives. https://t.co/N5Iur9PEUZ

— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) December 12, 2021

“If states can now shield their laws from review by the federal courts that compare assault weapons to Swiss Army knives, then California will use that authority to protect people’s lives, where Texas used it to put women in harm’s way.”