Federal Judge Blocks California Law Banning Guns In Parks, Banks, Playgrounds

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked a California law that would have banned carrying firearms in most public places, ruling that it violates the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and deprives people of their ability to defend themselves and their loved ones. The law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in September was set to take effect Jan. 1. It would have prohibited people from carrying concealed guns in 26 places including public parks and playgrounds, churches, banks and zoos. The ban would apply whether the person has a permit to carry a concealed weapon or not. One exception would be for privately owned businesses that put up signs saying people are allowed to bring guns on their premises. The court case against the law will proceed while the law is blocked. The judge wrote that gun rights groups are likely to succeed in proving it unconstitutional, meaning it would be permanently overturned. The decision is a victory for the California Rifle and Pistol Association, which sued to block the law. The measure overhauled the state’s rules for concealed carry permits in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen, which set several states scrambling to react with their own laws. That decision said the constitutionality of gun laws must be assessed by whether they are “consistent with the nation’s historical tradition of firearm regulation.” Newsom, who has positioned himself as a national leader on gun control while he is being increasingly eyed as a potential presidential candidate. said he will keep pushing for stricter gun measures.

Today on AirTalk, we’ll hear analysis on the ruling and forecast how higher courts might view the law Adam Winkler, professor of law at UCLA where he specializes in constitutional law, the Supreme Court and gun policy. Have questions about the latest gun control ruling? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

With files from the Associated Press

Has Property Theft In California Been On The Rise? Legislators Discuss Amending Misdemeanor Law

Recently, the California Assembly’s Select Committee on Retail Theft convened to discuss the reported rise in property theft in the state. According to the Public Policy Institute of California, in 2022 there was a 28 percent increase in shoplifting compared to the low rates during the pandemic. Still the shoplifting rate remains about 8 percent below pre-pandemic levels. According to Prop 47, which was implemented in 2014, retail theft had been on the downward trend until 2022. The proposition deemed some non-violent property crimes where the value falls below $950 into misdemeanors, which makes it harder to prosecute shoplifting and reduced the maximum sentence to six months. Opponents say Prop 47 has emboldened thieves and created a cycle of crime. Meanwhile, proponents say the short spike last year isn’t representative of the ten year period the law has been in effect, and that the law on the books has contributed to a healthier less crowded prison system.

Whether legislators attempt to amend the law in the California congress, send another ballot initiative directly to voters, or keep Prop 47 in its current state has been the subject of much debate. Here to discuss retail theft trends in California, the data, and what lawmakers are doing to address concerns over theft is Jeremy B. White, Politico reporter covering California politics. Also with us are Vern Pierson, El Dorado County District Attorney and Cristine Soto DeBerry, founder and executive director of the Prosecutors Alliance. Have questions about property theft or thoughts on this “rising trend” give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com.

Larry Mantle And The Chocolate Factory

With Christmas around the corner and Timothée Chalamet’s Willy Wonka owning the box office, Angelenos can be forgiven for craving scrumptious chocolate treats. Los Angeles has no shortage of confectioneries to delight the taste buds, from storied institutions like See’s Candies to experimental chocolatiers pushing the bounds of the medium. So we want to know: what are your favorite spots for exquisite chocolate creations? Give us a call at 866-893-5722 or email us at atcomments@laist.com. Joining us to discuss the tricks of the trade are local chocolatiers Joe Terpoghossian, third-generation owner of Mignon Chocolate and Valerie Gordon, chef/owner of Valerie Confections.

LA City Council Proposes Response To Hate Fliers – Would The Ordinance Stand Under The First Amendment?

The Los Angeles City Council on Friday approved a proposal to examine how litter laws can be used to prohibit the dissemination of fliers that contain hate speech, with the motion calling specific attention to antisemitic literature.

The proposal comes amid worries about an increase in antisemitism as the Israel-Hamas war drags on.

“The perpetrators of this crime do so in the hope that it will harass and intimidate Jewish families, radicalize others or desensitize some to the messaging,” the motion states. Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, who co-sponsored the motion with Councilmember Nithya Raman, said it is aimed at people who toss hate fliers on private — not public — property. The motion asked the city attorney and Los Angeles Police Department to report back in a few months on “how the crime of littering in mass as a method to disseminate hate speech is currently addressed by the City.” Joining to discuss is Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield, and UC Berkeley School of Law Dean Erwin Chemerinsky.

With files from LAist. Read the full story here 

TV-Talk: Dr. Death, Big Brother: Reindeer Games And More, Plus Your Fave Show Of 2023

Have you felt completely overwhelmed when deciding what new show to watch these days? Us too. There’s just so much content out there between network TV and numerous streaming platforms. Each week, we will try to break through the noise with TV watchers who can point us to the must-sees and steer us clear of the shows that maybe don’t live up to the hype. This week, listeners will get the latest scoop on what’s worth watching with Jen Chaney, television critic for Vulture, and Kristen Baldwin, tv critic for Entertainment Weekly. We also want to know: what’s the best tv show you watched this year? Shout it out by calling 866-893-5722 or email atcomments@laist.com. 

Today’s shows include:

• Dr. Death [Season 2] (Peacock)
• Fargo [Season 5] (FX & Hulu next day)
• Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage, and Reckoning  (Max)
• The Crown [Season 6] (Netflix)
• Big Brother: Reindeer Games (CBS & Paramount+)
• Christmas TV Special: How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966)