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Gun violence in California is far beyond pre-pandemic levels. Despite the state’s best efforts, a report from the Public Policy Institute of California says violent crime has increased by 26-percent since its first downward trend in 2014. While homicides decreased last year, they are still up by more than 25-percent from before the pandemic and violent crimes involving firearms are also higher than in 2019. The Golden State has had mixed results in thwarting gun violence. The Governor and the Legislature have passed laws to lessen gun violence but many of these efforts have been blocked or overturned in federal courts.