The 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that California and Hawaii are permitted to enforce bans on individuals carrying concealed firearms in public places such as bars and parks.
A three-judge panel unanimously decided on Friday that both states can enforce gun bans in “ bars and restaurants that serve alcohol and in parks, and that California can enforce bans in casinos, libraries, zoos, stadiums and museums,” according to Reuters. Additionally, the judges determined that Hawaii can ban guns on beaches and on private property open to the public without explicit permission from the property owner.
However, the court did outline exceptions. It found that Hawaii cannot enforce a ban on carrying firearms in the parking lots of government buildings. California is also restricted from enforcing bans in locations such as hospitals, public transit, places of worship, and gatherings that require a permit.
Chuck Michel, president of the California Rifle and Pistol Association, which challenged the California bans, argued that the law was never about safety and that places will be less safe as a result of these restrictions.
“The places where permits are now invalid have now become criminal empowerment zones, and the public is less safe in those places,” he argued. Michel further stated that the plaintiffs are considering a petition for rehearing or even a Supreme Court appeal.
Alan Beck, a lawyer for the Hawaii plaintiffs stated that he was “happy that they ruled for us on the issue of banks and shared parking lots” and that the ban on private property could go to the Supreme Court as well.
