As if California didn’t already have enough anti-gun laws that only affect law-abiding gun owners, Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom has announced he will seek a ballot initiative in 2016 to greatly expand the state’s already restrictive firearm and magazine bans.

Newsom’s proposed measures would ban possession of normal-capacity (called “high-capacity” by gun-banners) ammunition magazines, require licenses for ammunition dealers, mandate background checks for anyone buying ammunition, make it easier to confiscate weapons from people not allowed to have them and require people to report lost or stolen guns.

Some California political observers speculate that the proposed ballot initiative might have as much to do with Newsom’s announced 2018 gubernatorial run as his disdain for guns and gun owners. Regardless of the reason, foisting more and stricter regulations that won’t be adhered to by criminals would, as in the past, do nothing but punish lawful gun owners.

After her ex-boyfriend repeatedly threatened to harm her and her new boyfriend, the woman called 911. She told them her ex said he planned to drag her out of her house, kick her teeth in and kill her new boyfriend. That was at 11:15 p.m. The woman called 911 back a second time, frantic and crying. Then a third call came in—this time from the new boyfriend. His report: He had just shot a man.

Douglas Moody, 31, of New Orleans apparently attempted to make good on his threats to his ex-girlfriend. He went to her house Sunday, stormed the front door and broke in. But the man inside the home had a shotgun ready and shot Moody once in the chest. Moody remains in critical condition at University Medical Center, where he has been charged with home invasion, domestic abuse battery and being a fugitive from another jurisdiction.

A police officer trying to enjoy his birthday lunch at an Olive Garden restaurant in Kansas City, Mo., was in for a nasty surprise. While he waited for his family to arrive, a staff member allegedly told him that guns were not allowed inside the restaurant. According to Eater, the officer initially thought that the statement was a joke. Disarming himself was not even an option since he was on duty, and he opted to leave.

A spokesperson for Olive Garden responded to outrage over this incident by saying that there had been a mistake and that the restaurant chain is glad to serve on-duty police. When people commit to the “no guns in public” mentality so zealously that they begin to see law enforcement as part of the “problem,” it’s a sign that gun-haters are losing their grip on reality. 

“This is not a negotiation with the NRA; we don’t negotiate with terrorists.”

If you weren’t sure the mainstream media was fully around the bend, perhaps that unexamined and, as far as we know, unexcoriated remark by Dan Gross, president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, will clarify their descent into full-throated hysteria.

But it is slightly alarming that his seeming conjunction of nearly 5 million deeply patriotic, law-abiding Americans with, oh, say, ISIS and al-Qaeda, drew no flies when it appeared in The Hill this week. Odder still, Democratic (Socialist) presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders was the tandem target of his ire. Sanders, that not-so-well-known champion of firearms freedom (he has a D- NRA rating) is, apparently, insufficiently confiscatory in his gun control aims. 

Get ready: The mainstream media is apparently willing to invoke the Goebbels playbook this election season, and you’re the target.

A new law went into effect yesterday in the state of Maine allowing anyone over the age of 21 who isn’t otherwise banned from carrying a firearm to carry concealed handguns without a permit. The statute also covers active-duty military and veterans 18 and over, and allows the possession of a loaded pistol or revolver while in a motor vehicle or trailer. 

The law was opposed every step of the way by gun control advocates and some urban police chiefs. Portland Police Chief Mike Sauschuck has tried to feed paranoia about permitless carry, which has certainly never become a problem for nearby Vermont. There will still be an incentive for gun owners to apply for a permit in order to take advantage of reciprocity agreements that Maine holds with other states.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Eric Brakey, posted on social media yesterday, “Today, something very rare has happened. One of our liberties has been restored to us.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.  

At Tuesday’s debate, Democratic candidates universally came out in favor of stricter gun control. When asked “Which enemy are you most proud of?” Hillary Clinton and Martin O’Malley answered “NRA,” and both criticized Bernie Sanders—rated D- by NRA—for being too soft on guns. 

But September’s record-breaking number of NICS checks shows the number of gun owners with a vested interest in preserving freedom is growing. A recent Gallup survey shows almost half of Americans regard the federal government as a threat to freedoms, most commonly citing gun rights. According to Rasmussen, just 34 percent believe the government should be responsible for gun laws. And Independent voters—often essential to winning elections—consistently voice support for the Second Amendment.

In fact, those with the most to gain from the Democrats’ anti-gun stance may wind up being the Republican candidates.