As Nation Mourns, California Debates Concealed Firearm Laws

Maxim Elramsisy | California Black Media provides objective, reasonable guidance that prevents CCW permits from being issued to dangerous individuals and provides a list of places where weapons may not be carried,” said Portantino. “The presence of firearms in public increases the dangers of intentional or accidental gun violence—at the workplace, at the movies, or on the road. One study showed that states with permissive right-tocarry laws experience 29% more workplace homicides than states with more restrictive licensing requirements.” asked Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna about the proposed bill.

During the hearing, opposition came from handfuls of law enforcement groups, particularly from the southern part of the state, including the Los Angeles Police Officers Association and the Orange County Sheriffs Association.

“I believe we have to change the status quo when it comes to guns because there's way too much gun violence,” he said. “I don't want to take guns away from legal gun owners, but I always believe that there has to be a path to doing it right.” urged them to act on gun control.

The threat of legal challenges is almost certain.

“Any law that we passed through the Legislature, someone can bring a challenge to. That's not a unique circumstance. This bill will probably be challenged,” said Portantino. “But do we believe it's constitutional?

Later this week, Jones’ former colleague, Democrat Justin Pearson, could also be re-seated after the GOP ousted him.

The pair protested the lack of action by the Republican-led body on gun control following a school shooting in Nashville that left three elementary school students and three adults dead.

The Louisville shooting is just the latest in a string of mass shootings that have rocked the nation in recent years, with gun violence continuing to be a divisive and contentious issue.

Some politicians and interest groups have pushed back against calls for stricter gun control. They say that doing so would violate their rights under the Second Amendment.

As the nation mourns the victims of the Louisville shooting and grapples with the ongoing issue of gun violence, many are left wondering when, if ever, meaningful action will be taken to address the issue.

“Until then, the country will continue to mourn the loss of innocent lives and search for solutions to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future,” stated the Rev. Mark Thompson, host of Make It Plain.

“This isn’t going away,” Thompson asserted.

“This is a movement. This is going to build and grow. You can’t do this; it’s not sustainable. I’m not sure the movement will stop if the two Justins are re-seated. This is bad for the national Republican Party.”

On March 28, one day after three children and three adults were shot at the Covenant School, a Christian elementary school in Nashville, Tenn., the California Senate Public Safety Committee heard arguments for and against Senate Bill (SB) 2, legislation proposing enhancements to California’s existing concealed carry permit law.

“God bless the families of those little kids,” said the bill's author, Senator Anthony Portantino (D-Burbank) at the hearing.

“Gun violence inflicts a terrible toll on our communities. Last year, nearly 20,000 people were killed in gun related homicides in the United States. To put that in perspective, it's enough people to fill forty Boeing 747s, and sadly, the number keeps rising.”

SB 2 would make 21 the required age to apply for a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW), although existing state legislation restricts the sales of pistols to people under 21. A system of appeals would also be created for people initially denied the permit. The bill would also limit where people can carry firearms, creating locations called “sensitive sites” where guns would be prohibited. Property owners of sites where guns are off limits would have the authority to allow guns if they choose.

California’s prior concealed carry permit law, which required that applicants show reason for needing to carry a concealed firearm, was deemed unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court last year in the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.

In a 6-3 vote, the high court's conservative majority ruled that "may-issue" systems, like those used in New York, California and three other states using "arbitrary" evaluations of need, made by local authorities, are unconstitutional. States are, however, allowed to enforce "shall-issue" permitting, where applicants for concealed carry permits must satisfy certain objective criteria, such as passing a background check.

“Bruen affirmed the ability of states to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous individuals and out of certain sensitive places. With SB 2, California does just that. It

“Addressing Bruen in this way is unnecessarily complicated and overly burdensome,” said California State Sheriffs' Association Legislative Director Cory Salzillo. “Given what we've seen in other states, it is likely to be challenged and probably overturned in whole or in part.”

In the nation's most populous county, the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department (LASD) is responsible for taking applications and issuing CCWs. Though the Sheriff did not endorse the bill publicly, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors did, and in a written statement to California Black Media (CBM) the LASD appeared to tacitly support the bill.

“Recently, several of our California Government leaders have joined together to announce new gun legislation which would enhance gun safety laws in California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has partnered with the Board of Supervisors on the added gun safety measures and how we can bring awareness to the communities we serve,” the statement said.

Before the hearing, CBM

Absolutely. We looked at the Bruen decision as a roadmap to create a constitutionally sound approach. The Supreme Court said you can't be arbitrary, so this bill is not arbitrary. It's creating concrete criteria of who should and shouldn't be eligible to get this responsibility of having a concealed carry permit, that's consistent with the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court said you can have prohibited places. This bill has prohibited places that make sense.”

The Bill was advanced through the committee after a 4-1 vote and will next be heard on April 10 by the Committee on Appropriations.

In 2022, California Gov. Gavin Newsom endorsed Senate Bill (SB) 918, also authored by Portantino with provisions similar to SB 2. That bill failed to pass in the Legislature.

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill last week making the Sunshine State the 25th state to allow concealed carry with virtually no extra permitting or stipulations. Newsom, who spent time in Florida during the week, strongly criticized the action. “Don’t be fooled by the @GOP lies. Permit-less carry does not make you safer. States with open carry laws have higher gun violence rates,” Newsom said on Twitter.

Mass Shooting at Louisville Bank Heightens Gun Control Issue

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

Republicans Feeling Heat in Tennessee as Councils Poised to Re-Seat Ousted Legislators

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

On NNPA’s Let It Be Known, Rev. Mark Thompson, the host of Make it Plain and an NNPA contributor, stated, “My understanding is that the Nashville National City Council will re-seat Jones, and I believe the Memphis Council will meet later in the week to discuss Pearson.” host of Make it Plain and an NNPA contributor, returned to Tennessee on Monday for the vote to re-seat Jones, his longtime friend. On NNPA’s Let It Be Known, Thompson stated, “My understanding is that the Nashville National City Council will re-seat Jones, and I believe the Memphis Council will meet later in the week to discuss Pearson.” Thompson noted that most, if not all, flights to Nashville have been sold out, signaling the large demonstrations ahead.

Ousted Tennessee Democratic State legislators Justin Jones and Justin Pearson appear headed for re-appointment to their seats by the local councils in their constituencies.

Nashville’s metro council plans a vote today that could send Jones back to his seat, while the Shelby County commission expects to take up a motion on Wednesday that would return Pearson.

The expulsion of the two Democrats, who vociferously called on their colleagues to act on gun control after the latest school shooting in Nashville that claimed the lives of three elementary school students and three adults.

The backlash has been palpable, and even some Republicans have expressed regret for the actions of party members and House Speaker Cameron Sexton, who led the vote to oust Jones and Pearson.

“This isn’t going away,” Thompson asserted.

“This is a movement. This is going to build and grow. You can’t do this, it’s not sustainable. I’m not sure that if the two Justins are re-seated the movement will stop. This is bad for the national Republican party.” ongoing issue of gun violence, many are left wondering when, if ever, meaningful action will be taken to address the issue.

In the wake of still another mass shooting in America, this time at an Old National Bank in Louisville, Kentucky, the nation is left reeling. At least four people were killed, and eight others were injured, two of whom are in critical condition.

The shooter, who police believe had a connection to the bank, is dead, and authorities are working to establish the motive behind the shooting.

Police responded quickly to the call this morning, arriving within three minutes of the first reports. They encountered the shooter almost immediately and exchanged gunfire, which ultimately led to the shooter’s death.

Police are still investigating whether the shooter died from the gunfire or a self-inflicted wound.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear expressed grief over losing two close friends in the shooting and having another friend injured.

The bank where the shooting occurred is also his bank, making the tragedy even more personal for him.

The mayor of Louisville, Craig Greenberg, asked people to pray for those fighting for their lives.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, said he was heartbroken when he heard the news.

Officials apprised President Joe Biden of the shooting, and the White House has said there will be more details to share later.

The shooting comes as a Nashville City Council is expected to decide whether to reinstate former Tennessee Democratic state Rep. Justin Jones, whom Republican majority leaders ousted after he

“If my job, along with other members of the R.N.C., is to protect the brand of the Republican Party, this didn’t help,” Oscar Brock, a Republican National Committeeman from Tennessee, told the New York Times. “You’ve energized young voters against us. Worse than squandering support, you’ve made enemies where we didn’t need them.”

He continued: “Even in Tennessee, we have swing districts in the State House and Senate, and if you’ve angered tens of thousands of students and presumably their parents, you could theoretically expose yourself to a united front,” Brock demanded.

Rev. Mark Thompson, the

Phyllis Qualls, who’s covering the proceedings for the Tennessee Tribune, said the G.O.P. leadership miscalculated in expelling Jones and Pearson.

“Republicans had no vision as to the aftermath of what they can do,” Qualls said. “Mom has always said, ‘what’s done in the dark will come out in the light.’

The Republicans took a major issue like gun control and reduced it to decorum. It’s almost like children in the car complaining that ‘Mom, he’s looking at me.’ The crimes don’t equate, and to do this during holy week, you crucified these men, and they are rising to a level that nobody expected. They have become leaders of the gun control issue, and it was the Republicans who caused that.”

Southern California teacher captured on video repeatedly saying N-word to student in class

Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

City of Rialto Receives $2 Million Grant for Lake Rialto Project

"Support for this model of an urban water stewardship project is something all of our elected policymakers should be advocating. This needs to be at the forefront of their priorities," said Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson.

City of Rialto Receives $2 Million Grant for Lake Rialto Project...continued

the community.

Mayor Robertson said, “Rialto residents can look forward to enjoying the lake's open spaces, walking trails and environmental education programs. Special programs for children will enable them to get a taste of the great outdoors right in their own city.

Support for this model of an urban water stewardship project is something all of our elected policymakers should be advocating. This needs to be at the forefront of their priorities.”

LOS ANGELES — A teacher at a Fontana middle school can be heard repeatedly using a racial slur during an exchange with a student in class that was captured on video.

The video that was posted last week on Facebook by a parent of one of the students in the classroom shows a teacher from Sequoia Middle School standing over a student’s desk and saying the N-word while trying to get the student to say the word.

“Say it,” the teacher tells the student as the student looks toward the floor and classmates can be heard giggling in the background. “Why? You asked me how to spell it, so go ahead and pronounce it: n—. Pronounce it after me: n—. n—.”

Students told KABC-TV that the class was reading and discussing a Mark Twain novel that contains the racial slur when the student asked the teacher how to spell the N-word.

It’s unclear when the incident occurred, but the video has been widely shared on social media, prompting Fontana Unified School District officials to send a message Thursday to parents. Superintendent Miki R. Inbody called the incident an “unfortunate exchange” between the student and teacher.

“While the use of the word was in connection to its use in a historical literary work, there was a lack of understanding regarding the emotional impact of using this word could have on our students,” Inbody said in a message posted on the school district website. “We understand that such incidents can be hurtful and upsetting, especially for students who come from diverse backgrounds.”

Inbody said the school district is looking to take steps to prevent similar incidents from taking place. She didn’t identify the teacher, or say whether the teacher had been disciplined.

Officials at the school district and Sequoia Middle School did not respond to requests for comment.

In her message to parents, Inbody said officials would be providing training to school district staff, including administrators, teachers and staff “to understand the importance of creating an inclusive and respectful learning environment.” She said the school district would also be working with the city of Fontana to create a community event to “come together in support of a more cohesive and compassionate community.”

Architect's rendering of Lake Rialto project. Mayor Robertson said, “Rialto residents can look forward to enjoying the lake's open spaces, hiking trails and environmental education programs. Special programs for children will enable them to get a taste of the great outdoors right in their own city.

Rialto, Calif. – _The City of Rialto receives $2 million in federal funding to support its Lake Rialto habitat project. Congressman Pete Aguilar secured the funds for the program. The Congressman said, “Ensuring our residents can enjoy safe and clean open spaces for outdoor recreation is necessary to create a healthier, more sustainable community.

“This funding I helped secure will help construct Lake Rialto, 10 acres of lake, wetlands and trails, that will protect vulnerable species and play a vital role in the environmental success for the Santa Ana River Habitat Conservation Plan.” This brings total funding for the $8 million project to more than $5 million, thanks to additional funding sources.

The environmentally beneficial project includes the creation of wetlands and wildlife habitats on city-owned property adjacent to the City of Rialto Water Treatment Plant, which will provide recycled water for the lake itself, which then flows into the environmentally critical Rialto Channel.

Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson said, “The project design is now 90% complete and we hope to break ground this coming fall.”

The endangered Santa Ana sucker and Arroyo chub swim from the Santa Ana River up the Rialto Channel during cooler weather, but during hotter days, the water can be too warm for the fish. Because of the depth of the lake, much needed cooler water can be taken from the bottom of the lake and discharged into the Rialto Channel, providing potentially significant environmental benefits to critical species. The City of Rialto has worked diligently with potential partnering agencies to explore and maximize all of the environmental benefits of this project.

The lake will also provide a welcome habitat for seasonal wildfowl who migrate to and from Mexico on the Pacific Flyway, providing abundant birdwatching opportunities for

We're so very pleased and honored that Congressman Aguilar has supported this leading-edge project to create an infrastructure that will serve as an environmentally sensitive and attractive recreational facility and wildlife habitat.

The City of Rialto has grown a lot in recent years with its ongoing development projects. Now, Lake Rialto adds to an impressive list of commercial and residential projects, a different kind of addition to the City's assets that demonstrates that it “walks the talk” when it comes to planning environmentally sensitive development.

Bill Would Give Tk Teachers 2 More Years To Take Early Childhood Education Classes

By Diana Lambert/EdSource

her author’s statement.

California teachers could get a last-minute reprieve from a law that requires them to take additional courses to teach transitional kindergarten.

Assembly Bill 1555, authored by Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva, would give transitional kindergarten teachers, hired after July 1, 2015, two more years to either take at least 24 units in early childhood education, earn a child development teacher permit or early childhood education specialist credential, or prove they have adequate experience teaching preschool-age children. The current deadline is Aug. 1 of this year.

“Teachers are having a difficult time completing 24 credit units, while also teaching full time as well as all the other responsibilities they have in their life,” Quirk-Silva said in

California, already in the midst of a teacher shortage, will need 15,000 additional teachers to fill transitional kindergarten positions as the grade is expanded across the state to include all 4-year-old children by 2025. The bill delaying the requirements will help to ensure there are enough teachers to fill the TK classrooms, Quirk-Silva said at an Assembly Education Committee meeting Wednesday.

“I’m very interested in making sure we have the teachers with the background they need for early childhood education, but that we don’t discourage them from moving down (to TK classes),” she said.

The bill passed the Assembly Education Committee Wednesday and was sent to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for further review. The post Bill Would Give Tk Teachers 2 More Years To Take Early Childhood Education Classes first appeared on Post News Group. This article originally appeared in Post News Group.

California Black Media News Roundup

By Tanu Henry California Black Media

Newsom said.

Report: Black Students

Among Students with Highest Absenteeism Rates

The Public Policy Institute of California is reporting that absenteeism is on the rise among all students in California, and Black children are among the top sub-groups of kids who miss school the most.

Absenteeism rose substantially for nearly all student groups. However, we do see variation across demographic dimensions.

Among racial/ethnic groups, Black, Native American, and Pacific Islander students experienced the highest rates of chronic absenteeism, exceeding 40% in 2021-22,” the report reads.

Read the full report at: https://www.ppic.org/blog/ exploring-the-spike-in-chronicabsenteeism-among-k-12students/

The report includes both unexcused and excused absences.

Gov. Newsom Announces

$736 Million in Funding for Local Communities

Keeping his promise to fast track solutions addressing California’s stubborn homelessness crisis, last week Gov. Gavin Newsom announced $736 million in grants to be channeled directly to local communities for building or acquiring shelter for unhoused people.

“At a time when more housing is desperately needed, Homekey is proving that we can build faster, and at a fraction of conventional construction costs,”

“My Administration has made available an unprecedented $3.4 billion to date for Homekey to use at the local level to address housing and homelessness. I look forward to seeing more communities use this latest round of funding to boost housing around the state,” the governor added.

Project Homekey is a state government initiative that political stances and a candidate in the competitive race to replace Sen. Dianne Feinstein in the November 2024 general election.

“No one is above the law,” emphasized Lee, the highestranking African-American woman in the U.S. House of Representatives.

California Black Elected Officials React to Ridley-Thomas Conviction

Last week after a jury found aims to quickly provide shelter to individuals experiencing homelessness. To date, it has successfully provided shelter for nearly 12,800 formerly unhoused individuals across the state.

Rep. Lee Releases Statement on Trump Indictment

After a New York grand jury reportedly indicted former President Donald J. Trump on more than 30 counts of business fraud last week, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) said she hopes the action was the “beginning of our justice system holding him and all involved in these crimes accountable.”

“This is the first time a former president has been indicted in American history, and this is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Trump’s alleged crimes — before, during, and after his one term as president,” said Lee, an outspoken progressive known for her Left-leaning former Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark RidleyThomas guilty on corruption charges, California’s Black elected officials issued statements acknowledging RidleyThomas’s political leadership, many contributions to his constituents and his track record of unapologetically advocating for policies that advanced racial equity and improved the lives of African Americans in the state.

“I am compelled to share my appreciation for the civic contributions of Mark RidleyThomas. Mark Ridley-Thomas has devoted his professional life to serving the people of Los Angeles. He has invested his time and energy to empower and uplift his community and constituents for decades,” said Sen. Steve Bradford (D-Gardena), chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus in a statement.

“His relentless commitment