Newsom Opposes Voter ID Laws, but Ignores Far Worse Abuses in California for CCW Permits

February 17, 2026
5:15 pm

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California Governor Gavin Newsom loves to lecture America on the supposed racism baked into voter ID laws, calling them a modern-day poll tax that disenfranchises minorities. Yet, in his own backyard, he's presiding over a concealed carry weapon (CCW) permit system that's a bureaucratic nightmare—high fees ballooning up to $2,000 in some counties, wait times stretching two years or more, and arbitrary good cause requirements that leave law-abiding citizens defenseless. This isn't just hypocrisy; it's a deliberate chokehold on the Second Amendment, where the state extracts exorbitant cash and endless delays while pretending public safety demands it. Newsom's selective outrage exposes the real agenda: suppress gun rights under the guise of equity, but only when it suits the progressive narrative. Dig deeper, and the double standard screams for attention. Voter ID, a simple measure used securely in dozens of states without issue, gets branded discriminatory despite evidence from Pew Research showing minimal impact on turnout. Meanwhile, California's CCW abuses are far more egregious—Post-Bruen rulings have forced some counties to loosen up, but sheriffs in places like San Francisco still play gatekeeper, denying permits to qualified applicants based on subjective needs. Fees cover training and backgrounds that could be streamlined for pennies, turning a constitutional right into a pay-to-play privilege for the elite. This isn't protection; it's a wealth tax on self-defense, disproportionately hitting working-class folks who can't afford the wait or the wallet hit. For the 2A community, this is rocket fuel for the fight ahead. Newsom's stance galvanizes lawsuits like those from the CRPA and FPC, chipping away at may-issue corruption post-Bruen. It underscores why national reciprocity and preemption laws are urgent—Californians deserve the same swift permit access as Texans or Floridians. Share this story, call out the contradiction, and push your reps: if voter ID is too racist for ballots, why is financial and temporal hazing okay for bearing arms? The implications are clear—without vigilance, blue-state tyrants will export this model nationwide. Stay armed, informed, and unapologetic.

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Dig deeper, and the double standard screams for attention. Voter ID, a simple measure used securely in dozens of states without issue, gets branded discriminatory despite evidence from Pew Research showing minimal impact on turnout. Meanwhile, California’s CCW abuses are far more egregious—Post-Bruen rulings have forced some counties to loosen up, but sheriffs in places like San Francisco still play gatekeeper, denying permits to qualified applicants based on subjective needs. Fees cover training and backgrounds that could be streamlined for pennies, turning a constitutional right into a pay-to-play privilege for the elite. This isn’t protection; it’s a wealth tax on self-defense, disproportionately hitting working-class folks who can’t afford the wait or the wallet hit.

For the 2A community, this is rocket fuel for the fight ahead. Newsom’s stance galvanizes lawsuits like those from the CRPA and FPC, chipping away at may-issue corruption post-Bruen. It underscores why national reciprocity and preemption laws are urgent—Californians deserve the same swift permit access as Texans or Floridians. Share this story, call out the contradiction, and push your reps: if voter ID is too racist for ballots, why is financial and temporal hazing okay for bearing arms? The implications are clear—without vigilance, blue-state tyrants will export this model nationwide. Stay armed, informed, and unapologetic.

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