The political landscape is shifting, and there is growing chatter about who might lead the U.S. Department of Justice. For gun owners across the country, the potential appointment of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to the position of U.S. Attorney General has sparked significant concern regarding the future of the Second Amendment.
The California connection
Many people outside of California might not be familiar with Xavier Becerra, but his track record speaks for itself. Since taking over as California’s Attorney General in 2017—succeeding Kamala Harris—he has been a vocal proponent of aggressive gun control measures. His background as a career politician in the House of Representatives further cements his stance as someone who is fundamentally not aligned with protecting the right to keep and bear arms.
During his time in office, he has fought to defend and expand California’s restrictive gun laws. If moved to the federal level, the worry is that he would treat the entire United States like his home state, pushing for the same rules that many gun owners have spent years fighting against in the courts.
A record of opposition
Looking back at his legislative history, there are clear signs of his approach to firearms. For example, he has:
- Voted against bills that would have protected gun manufacturers and sellers from being sued for the actions of criminals.
- Resisted attempts to reduce waiting periods, preferring to keep hurdles in place for those exercising their constitutional rights.
- Actively pushed to expand the definition of firearms to include components like ’80 percent’ receivers.
In his own words, he has stated that he believes in limitations on the Second Amendment and has been vocal about his pride in holding an ‘F’ rating from rights advocacy groups. This suggests he would act as a gatekeeper for aggressive federal enforcement, rather than as an impartial administrator of the law.
What this means for the future
If the current administration aligns closely with California’s political platform, we could witness a shift in how federal agencies interact with gun owners. We are already seeing the ATF change its focus toward items like 80 percent kits and pistol braces. If an official who has spent years litigating to uphold California’s ‘assault weapons’ bans and other restrictions takes charge of the Justice Department, that trend will likely accelerate.
For those worried about these developments, it is essential to stay informed and involved. Supporting legal and political organizations that challenge these regulations is one way to push back. Contacting your representatives to voice opposition to nominees who hold these views is another way to ensure your perspective is heard. The road ahead may get difficult, but being prepared and vocal remains our best line of defense.
Lance Rankin is the owner and Chief Gunsmith of Western Sport, a family-run Type 07 FFL and Class 3/SOT dealer in Roanoke, Texas, serving shooters since 2007. Born and raised in Texas with over 50 years of experience handling firearms, Lance purchased Western Sport in 2017 and turned his lifelong passion into his profession. He specializes in AR-15 and AR-10 platform rifles, manufactures Western Sport’s own AR-15 line under the Rankin Industries brand, and runs the shop’s in-house Cerakote coating operation. When he’s not behind the counter or the workbench, you’ll find him on his ranch deep into the night, hunting coyotes with an AR-15 and thermal optics. Lance holds an MBA and personally shoots and tests the products Western Sport sells.
