California’s ban on the open carry of firearms in most parts of the state is unconstitutional, a San Francisco-based federal appeals court ruled Friday. “The historical record makes unmistakably plain that open carry is part of this Nation’s history and tradition,” he wrote. He wrote that open carry has been the “default lawful means” to carry a firearm for most of American history and that more than 30 states, including those with significant urban populations, currently allow the open carry of firearms. The state had argued that changes in technology make modern handguns more dangerous, thereby justifying the open carry ban. While the appeals court ruled the open-carry ban unconstitutional, it upheld the state’s open-carry permit process.

Source: Los Angeles Times January 03, 2026 15:32 UTC