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Judge Reverses California’s Assault Weapons Ban

(Photo: George Frey/Getty Images).

Melanie Wilcox Contributor
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A federal judge reversed California’s assault weapons ban because it infringes upon the constitutional right to bear arms, CBSN Bay Area reported.

U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez of San Diego said other states and the U.S. Supreme Court allow what California has called illegal military-style rifles, according to CBSN Bay Area. (RELATED: BARR: Will The High Court Finally Render A ‘Common Sense’ Gun Rights Decision?)

“Under no level of heightened scrutiny can the law survive,” Benitez said. Benitez gave state Attorney General Rob Bonta 30 days to appeal.

In his ruling introduction, Benitez wrote, “Like the Swiss Army knife, the popular AR-15 rifle is a perfect combination of home defense weapon and homeland defense equipment. Good for both home and battle.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom called the decision “a direct threat to public safety and the lives of innocent Californians, period,” according to CBSN Bay Area.

Newsom said in a statement the Swiss Army knife comparison “completely undermines the credibility of this decision and is a slap in the face to the families who’ve lost loved ones to this weapon. We’re not backing down from this fight, and we’ll continue pushing for common sense gun laws that will save lives.”