I'm no expert on these issues. It seems it's the same reason California get's away with defying Federal law, such as legalizing pot, and sanctuary cities. It's politics, the President and the feds have to weigh things out. I'm a super, super states right's guy, however, the states MUST follow the Constitution, which California does not. No state, no city or town shall infringe upon my 2nd Amendment Rights. That's how it's supposed to be, however, it is not. Carl DeMaio a former San Diego Councilman and conservative with a radio show lead the gas tax repeal, which was soundly defeated in November. The State raised the gas tax 30 cents a gallon and Carl fought back to appeal it. He said that we already paid high gas taxes for our roads and bridges and some of that money was being diverted to other things. I cannot for the life of me understand how it got defeated. However, some people I talked to though the Proposition was to RAISE the gas tax, so they voted against it, Doh!! Others said, "well this gas tax money will be used for our roads and that's ok". I say California is lost. I was born here and have lived my entire life here.
Bill