Thread by @CALmatters

THREAD: How did California get so tough on guns? According to Boston University’s count, no other state out-does California for its sheer quantity of gun laws. @FromBenC explains what you need to know about gun control in the Golden State ➡️ bit.ly/2WwMLcG

First, if you’re confused about some of the terminology around guns, Ben created a glossary that should help. bit.ly/2S2Aqy6

The modern debate over guns in America started in California on May 2, 1967, when gun-toting members of the Black Panthers protested police treatment by marching into the state capitol—and yeah, it was totally legal. Gun laws were much more lax back then. bit.ly/2MKIEFa

Quickly after that incident, legislation to ban “open carry” within California cities and towns breezed through the Legislature and was signed into law by California’s Republican governor at the time — Ronald Reagan. bit.ly/2MKIEFa

Throughout California history, many gun laws were passed following a tragedy or moment of alarm, including bootleg-fueled organized crime in the 1920s, the 1989 mass shooting at an elementary school in Stockton, and urban gang violence in the 1990s. bit.ly/2WwMLcG

And since 1991, California has maintained the top spot for being the state with the most gun laws. In 2017, Guns and Ammo magazine labeled our state the 5th worst for gun owners (Washington, D.C., was No. 1). bit.ly/2SgyXnk

So, do all these regulations on guns work? Supporters of the state's gun laws have a pretty compelling argument on their side: California has tough gun laws and it has relatively low rates of gun violence. But the answer is really complex. Read more ➡️ bit.ly/2G1KYaq

The gun death rate in California is certainly lower than the national average—but it isn’t low compared to international standards. In fact, our gun fatality rate is roughly the same as the Philippines. bit.ly/2Wy8LUA

Now that @GavinNewsom is governor, California will most likely continue to back strict policies on gun control. After the Thousand Oaks mass shooting, Newsom called the NRA a "fraudulent organization." bit.ly/2D1m7jj

Check out the rest of Ben's explainer for more info on gun bills to watch in 2019 (bit.ly/2D1mD0J) and important legal battles involving California and gun control (bit.ly/2GgsVwn).