With the death of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, it was a sure thing that we were going to get another gun control advocate in the Senate. After all, Gov. Gavin Newsom was set to appoint her replacement, and since he’s pushing for a gun control amendment to the Constitution, the die was already cast.

Sure enough, he picked someone very likely to continue the anti-gun work laid down by her predecessor. Who cares if she actually lived in Maryland, right?

Over at the NSSF, though, they’re not interested in just rolling over and shrugging this off. They’re looking at just who Sen. Laphonza Butler actually is, at least as best they can under the circumstances.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is ensuring that his gun control agenda is in safe hands with the appointment of Laphonza Butler to serve in the U.S. Senate following the passing of U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.). Sen. Butler was sworn in this week, a Democrat who until the announcement was residing in Silver Springs, Md., and has spoken little on gun control issues. However, her progressive track record and history of working for liberal causes assures that she will pick up the gun control mantle.

…

While little in her personal or professional career points to gun control, the list of supporters lining up to congratulate her is telling.

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton offered her endorsement, saying, “A great choice for California and the Senate. Congratulations Laphonza Butler!”

That was echoed by twice-failed Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams, as well as former Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Donna Brazile, the Democratic National Committee, Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), and California Democratic U.S. Reps. Ted Lieu, Jimmy Gomez, Ami Berra, Ro Khanna, Sara Jacobs, Mark Takano, Brad Sherman, Gloria Johnson, Nanette Barragán and California Attorney General Rob Bonta. All are ardent gun control supporters.

Even Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) offered congratulations, despite the fact that he’s thrown his hat into the ring for the seat she’s filling until 2024. He’s facing a crowded Democratic field including California Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee and Katie Porter – and Sen. Butler if she decides to compete for election.

It’s also noted that gun control groups such as Everytown are celebrating the pick. It’s pretty clear that it’s not just us that expect Butler to pursue an anti-gun agenda.

If there’s any good news here it’s that Butler’s appointment doesn’t upset the balance in the Senate in any appreciable way. One anti-gunner is gone and another is appointed to take her place.

If anything, it’s unlikely that Butler will be quite as vehement in her push for gun control as Feinstein. The late senator was reportedly traumatized by the murder of Harvey Milk and Mayor George Moscone. Butler doesn’t seem to have any such trauma to motivate her.

Not that she’s going to vote in any kind of pro-Second Amendment way.

The truth is that the status quo was maintained, which is probably about as good as we could expect under the circumstances. It was never going to get any better than this.

If Californians want their gun rights respected, they’ve got an election coming up that will not just remove Butler but any of the other anti-gun candidates from being a concern in the Senate.