the problem sheep is that you cant empirically compare different states like that due to signifivant differences in politics, demographics, economy, culture. you can only really compare a location with itself, but the second problem is its unlikely for any state with strict gun laws to loosen restrictions to “test what happens” since it would potentially affect the lives of many people.
I'm not saying they should loosen them, I'm saying it makes no sense in restricting more stuff. Stuff as in "Assault weapons" or magazine bans which effectively did nothing even on this incident. Closing the Gun show loophole? Sure, I don't care. Tougher 4473s? Whatever.
that said, im guessing the issue in this specific case is not “the teen was able to purchase a gun due to lax laws/laws didnt stop this teen from purchasing a gun” and more like “seller didnt follow procedure” or “teen stole gun from parents/someone else”. human error/oversight will always be a possibility regardless of how many regulations there are, but regulations would help limit what kind of guns they get access to, or make it harder for them to (ex: significant fine/criminal charge if you dont protect your kids from getting your guns >> individuals who own guns properly lock them up)
The kid allegedly stole the gun. To be honest, theres not much you can really do in situations like that. Sure, you could make it mandatory for "Firearms listed in X category have to be stored in a locked safe when not in use" or something, but people won't comply with that. I wouldn't, and neither would thousands of others, because it doesn't make much sense for my bedside rifle to be locked up when I need it right away in case of emergency. I think its safe to say that
at least half of the gun owners bought guns for more of a self protection point of view other than tyrannical combatant view.
Not sure if gun laws in california are THAT strict. Just about every day I hear people at the shooting range behind some hill where we live.
They're seriously wonky compared to the rest of the country. Ill list a few of the most ridiculous laws;
-Rifles NEED featureless grips (these)
-If you want to remove that grip, your magazine (which by the way, can't exceed 10 rounds or you'll go to prison for years) will need to be welded to the receiver. The only way to reload the gun is to literally field strip it and add bullets to the fixed mag.
-No flash hiders or similar muzzle devices
-No suppressors
-No adjustable stocks
-Need a license in order to fill out paperwork to make an SBR or any other NFA item
Its silly stuff like this that is banned. Now suppressors (great for hunting, statistical anomaly in uses of crime (usually for failing to contact the ATF and fill out a Form 1 or just making one illegally)) could be the super scary thing politicians are afraid of, but everything else is just "Sorry, you can't be comfortable when you want to shoot your rifle."