(ANSA) - LOS ANGELES, JUNE 05 - A United States federal judge overturned the 32-year ban on assault rifles in the state of California.
A decision taken by Judge Roger T. Benitez, in compliance with the second amendment to the American Constitution on the freedom to carry weapons, and criticized by the Governor of California GavinNewsom in light of the growth in the phenomenon of shootings and massacres.
"Like the Swiss army knife, the popular Ar-15 semi-automatic rifle can serve just as well to defend one's domicile and homeland," writes Judge Benitez in a passage of the 90-page motivation for the sentence. "Weapons and ammunition in the hands of criminals, tyrants and terrorists are dangerous. It is preferable to leave them in the hands of responsible and law-abiding citizens."
The ruling gives the State of California 30 days to lodge an appeal: an opportunity Newsom has already said it does not want to miss, as in its opinion the ruling, which overrides a ban in force since 1989, constitutes a "direct threat to public safety. ". (HANDLE).
