A California law that bans the carrying of firearms in most public places has been blocked again

LOS ANGELES — A new California law banning people from carrying firearms in most public places was blocked again on Saturday as litigation against the law continues.

A panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a temporary stay on a lower court order blocking the law. The order was issued by a different 9th Circuit panel and would have set the law to go into effect on January 1.

Saturday's decision upholds a Dec. 20 ruling by U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney blocking the law. Carney said it violates the Second Amendment and that gun rights groups will likely prevail in proving it unconstitutional.

The law, signed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, bans people from carrying concealed weapons in 26 types of places, including public parks and playgrounds, churches, banks and zoos. The ban applies regardless of whether someone has a concealed carry permit.

Newsom has positioned himself as a leader on gun control and says he will continue to push for stricter regulations.

After Saturday's ruling, his office issued a statement saying, “This dangerous decision puts the lives of Californians at risk.”

The president of the California Rifle and Pistol Association, which sued to block the law, countered that “the politicians' ploy to circumvent the Second Amendment has been put on hold for now.”