Lt. Gov. Newsom pushes for stricter gun rules

In the wake of mass shootings, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom talked about his push for stricter gun rules in California Thursday.

“I have every confidence in the world that Californians will embrace this,” Newsom said.

If Californians do embrace his gun control ballot initiatives, California would become the first state to require licensing and background checks before buying and selling ammunition.

“With these common sense public safety provisions, we will lead the nation,” he said.

The proposal would also require gun owners to return large capacity assault-style magazines, and require owners to report lost or stolen guns.

Newsom had a strong message to the NRA: “You can intimidate the politicians, we’ve seen that. How you’ve been effective. But you can’t intimidate the public, which is why we’re bringing this directly to the public.”

California already has some of the toughest gun control rules. Some say Newsom’s proposal goes too far.

Nearly 366,000 signatures are needed for the measure to qualify for the ballot.