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California Gun Laws Are Strict, but Do They Work?

California has the toughest gun controls in the country. That means universal background checks, waiting periods and handguns that stamp bullet cartridges so law enforcement can identify the weapons that fire them. What the laws don't mean is prevention of mass shootings like last week's massacre in San Bernardino. So, what good are they doing?

By Warren Olney • Dec 8, 2015 • 20m Listen

The FBI says Sayed Farook and his wife, Tashfeen Malik were "radicalized for quite some time." They reportedly practiced at shooting ranges before they killed 14 people and injured 21 others last week in San Bernardino. Investigators are trying to determine how they obtained their weapons from a man who bought them legally in California. This state has the nation's toughest gun controls, according to the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence in San Francisco. So, what good are these laws doing? Are more limits needed on sales and distribution? Is there any form of gun control that can protect the public from the evil misuse of the millions of weapons already in circulation?

Photo: Trigger lock (Rick)