California Attorney General Bonta: Assault Weapons Bans Save Lives

By DOJ News Photos: Wikimedia Commons OAKLAND& — This week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, as part of a coalition of 19 attorneys general, filed an amicus brief in support of Cook County, Illinois’ assault weapons ban. The brief, filed in& Viramontes v. County of Cook, urges the& Seventh Circuit& Court of Appeals to uphold a lower court’s ruling that the law is consistent with& the Second Amendment. “As part of& our ongoing commitment to stand behind commonsense gun safety measures for all Americans, we urge the court to uphold Cook County’s& ban on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines,”& said Attorney General Bonta. “States and local governments play an essential role in promoting public safety,& and& that role must include combating threats of mass shootings and senseless gun violence. At the California Department of Justice, we will continue to use every tool at our disposal to& defend& these life-saving public safety measures& and to ensure cities, counties, and& states& have the means to protect their residents.”& The coalition asserts that the& lower court’s& ruling is consistent with& the text of the Second Amendment and the& nation’s historical tradition of limiting access to& especially dangerous weapons and accessories& not commonly used...