Shoplifting has spiraled out of control in America these days. Nationwide, there are growing reports of people just walking into stores and taking merchandise without paying.

Meanwhile, various businesses suffering from this are showing more aggression towards employees who try to protect the stores than the thieves who are robbing them.

Of course, the rise of brazen shoplifting is directly tied to efforts to defund law enforcement and otherwise adopt more permissive dispositions towards crime.

In the meantime, breaking news from FEE reports that California is on track to completely legalizing shoplifting.

The state of California has so many serious problems it needs to contend with. Nevertheless, this isn’t stopping the California state legislature from passing a bill that essentially gives shoplifters the wink and nod.

Right now, Senate Bill 533 would put store workers in a position where they can’t tell shoplifters not to steal merchandise or try to keep them from leaving the store without paying for goods.

Of course, legislation of this nature sends a disastrous message that stealing is OK. Also, if some people can enter a store, take what they want, and leave without payment, why should anyone else have to pay either?

The California state legislature is heavily controlled by the Democrat Party.

Republicans in the state don’t even come close. Therefore, there’s a real possibility that this pro-shoplifting bill could pass and get a necessary signature from Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

If this happens, California can expect to see far more cases of shoplifting and theft. There’s also a likelihood that more stores will close down, as they’ll realize taking repeated losses like this isn’t conducive to remaining in business.

So far, there’s been no indication from Newsom that he wouldn’t approve this bill if the California state legislature sent it to his desk.