[OopsCriticality]

There is an effective ban on selling any new pistol designs in CA due to a dubious microstamping requirement. Manufacturers are unable to change their current designs that are on the roster (even color!) without triggering a recertification process that cannot be passed. This also means that new, safer designs cannot be sold in CA as things stand now.

[thrownaway2424]

That doesn't explain the employment of the word "wanton". I'm much more concerned here with the abuse of the language than with the rights of the people to buy guns.

[OopsCriticality]

I suppose it depends on your perspective. To some, passing laws with an overt goal of "making people safer" (but not actually doing so), with the covert goal of regulating a product out of existence, is a wanton act against our democratic system.

[delinka]

"Wanton" means 'deliberate,' but regarding a cruel act. (OED: 1 (of a cruel or violent action) deliberate and unprovoked: sheer wanton vandalism.) I see this as an expression of ctdonath's opinion that California's actions passing the regulations is cruel, not that the regulations themselves are.