How much the new California body “can achieve will in part depend on how much damage the Supreme Court will do if it strikes down sensible measures,” said John J. Donohue III, a law professor at Stanford University.

“Creative new means to limit the massive increase in gun thefts … to counteract the damage to police effectiveness that follows the promiscuous carrying of guns, and to get guns out of the hands of those who are likely to do harm to themselves and others are sorely needed,” he said. “A dedicated office may well be able to initiate such measures.”