If you thought Gavin Newsom’s record on gun rights was bad, buckle up — because things in California could get even worse. Javier Becerra, the former Attorney General of California and current Health and Human Services Secretary under President Biden, is now running for governor. And according to recent polls, his campaign is gaining traction.

For gun owners, this is a red alert moment. Becerra has a long, well-documented history of fighting to restrict the Second Amendment — and if elected governor, he could deliver the final blow to gun rights in California.

Before joining the Biden administration, Becerra served as California’s Attorney General, where he defended and enforced some of the state’s most restrictive firearm laws.

He was instrumental in supporting Proposition 63, the sweeping gun control measure that banned “large-capacity” magazines and imposed background checks for ammunition purchases.

“With the help of Prop 63 and the champions who made it possible, we’ll keep our communities safer,” Becerra said at the time. “This is California — we don’t backslide.”

Becerra also pushed for strict federal action on “ghost guns” and advocated for controversial microstamping technology, which would mandate firearm components that mark bullets with unique codes — a policy critics say is expensive, ineffective, and unconstitutional.

Gun owners across the nation may recognize Becerra’s name from one of the biggest 2A legal battles in recent memory: Duncan v. Bonta (originally Duncan v. Becerra).

That case — which challenges California’s ban on standard-capacity magazines — began under Becerra’s leadership at the Department of Justice. He fought aggressively to defend the ban, arguing against gun owners’ rights even as federal courts found similar laws unconstitutional.

And his anti-gun stance isn’t new. Becerra has been in politics for decades and voted for the 1994 Clinton “assault weapon” ban when he served in Congress.

“I was in Congress back in 1993 when Joe Biden was a senator, and we passed that assault weapon ban,” Becerra once proudly recalled.

According to the latest polling (cited by the Becerra campaign itself):

• Sheriff Chad Bianco (Riverside County) currently leads the race. Known for his pro–Second Amendment stance, Bianco has streamlined CCW permits and defended Californians’ right to self-defense.
• Katie Porter (D), once the frontrunner, has seen her numbers drop sharply following several staff mistreatment scandals.
• Steve Hilton (R) holds a strong third position.
• Javier Becerra (D) trails closely behind but remains within the poll’s margin of error, meaning he could overtake Porter at any time.

In short — Becerra’s rise is real, and his history suggests that if he wins, California’s gun laws could become even more restrictive than under Gavin Newsom.

For those who value the right to self-defense, Becerra’s candidacy is a major warning sign. His record shows a consistent pattern of prioritizing government control over individual freedom, especially when it comes to the Second Amendment.

If elected, Californians can expect:

• Expanded bans on popular firearms and magazines
• Tighter restrictions on concealed carry
• More aggressive enforcement of “ghost gun” regulations
• Continued erosion of lawful gun ownership rights

Javier Becerra isn’t just another California politician — he’s Gavin Newsom 2.0, with an even deeper anti-gun record.

With Sheriff Chad Bianco and other pro–Second Amendment candidates rising in the polls, gun owners have a rare opportunity to make their voices heard. The key will be supporting candidates who respect constitutional rights and staying informed as this race unfolds.