Governors Briefs: Resolution Calling for a Constitutional Amendment Introduced and Appointment Announced

Gov. Newsom’s Right to Safety Resolution Calling for a Constitutional Amendment Introduced in California Legislature

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposal for a Right to Safety – an amendment to the United States Constitution to ensure the people’s elected representatives can determine what gun safety laws are appropriate for their communities and to enshrine fundamental, broadly supported gun safety measures into law – was introduced Aug. 14 as a joint resolution in the California Legislature by Sen. Aisha Wahab and Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer. 

The Right to Safety Amendment will raise the minimum age to buy a gun from 18 to 21, mandate universal background checks, institute a waiting period for all gun purchases, and ban assault rifles for civilians – while leaving the Second Amendment intact. Additionally, the Right to Safety will affirm Congress, states, and local governments can enact common-sense gun safety laws that save lives.

“In the time it will take to pass our Right to Safety Resolution calling for a constitutional convention, more Americans will lose their lives to gun violence than were killed on September 11,” said Gov. Newsom. “How many more lives must be lost before we act? In California, with the help of the Legislature, we are providing a path to a safer America.”

Sen. Wahab and Assemblymember Jones-Sawyer introduced Senate Joint Resolution 7 in the California State Senate, which is the first step to adoption of a Constitutional amendment. The joint resolution calls for a convention, also known as an Article V Convention or amendatory convention — one method for proposing amendments to the United States Constitution. When the resolution passes, California will become the first state in the nation to call for such a convention.

Gov. Newsom Announces Appointments 

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom Aug. 11 announced the following appointment

Nola Kennedy, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, where she has served since 2018. Kennedy has been a professor and department chair at California State University, Northridge since 2013. She was a lecturer at the University of California, Los Angeles from 2012 to 2013, where she held several positions from 2000 to 2012, including assistant researcher and adjunct assistant professor. Kennedy was manager of Industrial Hygiene Services at Drucker Health and Safety Management Inc. from 1987 to 1991. She is a member of the American Industrial Hygiene Association. Kennedy earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Science – Industrial Hygiene from the University of California, Los Angeles. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Genetics from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Kennedy is a Democrat.