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Police arrive at Ron’s place.
And yet, cities in the state aren’t necessarily safer than anywhere else in the nation.
Despite that, the chief of the LAPD blames…wait for it…guns.
Thirty-four people were shot in Los Angeles last week, a bloody spike in what is already shaping up to be a violent month and year in the City of Angels, according to authorities.
The bulk of the shootings — 23 — of them occurred in a “remarkably small area” of the Los Angeles Police Department’s 77th Street and Southeast divisions, Chief Michel Moore told the Los Angeles Police Commission Tuesday. Moore called last week a “troubling week,” in a year when violent crime has increased 7.1% year-to-date. So far this year, the LAPD has responded to 575 more violent crimes than this time last year.
Barely halfway through the month, 70 people have already been shot in Los Angeles, up from 55 during the same period last year. There have been 107 homicides so far in 2022, while at this point in 2021 there were 109.
While the number has decreased slightly in 2022, Moore said it represents a 37% increase over a two-year period. Overall, violent crime — aggravated assaults, street robberies, and commercial robberies — have climbed 15.2 percent over a two-year period.
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“The problem that we have throughout Los Angeles is too many guns in too many hands,” Moore said, reiterating a belief he frequently shares with the commission. The added enforcement in the 77th Street Division resulted in 16 gun arrests involving 20 firearms, including “a number of assault rifles,” Moore said.
So, the issue is guns in the most heavily gun-controlled state in the nation?
Sounds to me an awful lot like all the copious amounts of gun control has managed to accomplish is just make the state more hostile toward law-abiding gun owners, rather than actually do much to curb gun possession by violent criminals.
This isn’t much different than the gang heyday of the 1990s when LA was the epicenter of criminal culture.
Since then, the state has passed tons of gun control, ostensibly to impact those same criminals.
As we can see, it worked like a charm.
Look, I get the desire to do something. I also get that people think the problem is the wrong people having guns. I’m not going to argue about armed criminals.
But the laws on the books were designed to stop precisely them from having them, yet it doesn’t appear to have accomplished a blasted thing. Meanwhile, Californians who want to comply with the law are treated like criminals for even wanting a firearm.
It’s just not right.
Then again, it’s never been right to restrict the rights of the ordinary citizen because of the actions of a handful of criminals.
Yet when the LAPD chief talks about too many guns in too many hands rather than the wrong hands, what do you think he’s proposing? Is he acknowledging that gun control has failed the state, or do you think he’s suggesting more of the same?
Well, since he says the problem is “too many hands” and nothing about criminals in possession, it’s clear where he stands on the issue.
It’s also clear that more of the same isn’t going to make things better.
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By the way, 77th Station is right in the middle of the meanest, toughest Gang Neighborhood in Southern California. I should know as I got a lot of students from there for my class in Juvenile Hall. Grumpy
However, California has decided to model a bill after the Texas law that allows people to sue abortion providers that would, in theory, circumvent precisely that law.
And now, it’s passed committee.
In response to recent gun violence across the state and nation, lawmakers are pushing ahead with efforts to strengthen gun laws in California.
Two bills aiming to bolster California’s gun laws cleared key committees on Tuesday.
“While in California we pride ourselves having fairly strict gun control laws, we’ve done better than other states but still, not good enough,” said Assembly Member Phil Ting, D-San Francisco.
Assembly Bill 1594 passed its first hearing in the Assembly Judiciary Committee in a 7-2 vote.
The bill would allow private citizens, local governments and the state attorney general to sue gun makers and sellers. Supporters said the measure would make sure the gun industry faces accountability like every other industry.
“I don’t think it’s very fair that the toy industry has a lot more liability than the gun industry,” Ting said.
Except, that’s not remotely accurate.
If a firearm malfunctions and causes injury, it can be sued just like any other company can if its product malfunctions and causes harm.
What protections it has only protect them from lawsuits stemming from the actions of other parties. In other words, you can’t sue Glock because a criminal with a Glock shot you unless you can show Glock did something wrong that contributed to that shooting.
California is trying to run an end-around that law and pretending their holding gun companies to the same standards.
However, as gun rights advocates have pointed out for years, no one is trying to sue Toyota for drunk drivers.
In other words, yes, gun companies have protections other companies don’t have, but only because they’ve needed protections other industries haven’t.
For what it’s worth, I don’t see this law surviving challenge because federal law supersedes it.
Yet that’s going to be a costly fight that shouldn’t have to be waged. Further, since few criminals are lawfully buying guns, it’s clearly not the place to look.
Then again, this is California. They’re not known for disagreeing with gun control measures. They’ll pass this not because they think it’ll make the state safer, but because they just don’t want people being able to buy guns in the state.
If they can make it more costly to do business in California, they may well hope that companies will just opt not to sell guns in California.
Then again, with the rules already in place, not many actually are.
Frankly, this law is going to be a complete trainwreck and I really, really wish the state of California could be punished for passing it knowing damn good and well it goes beyond their authority. Since they can’t, we’ll just have to be content to see it overturned by the courts.
FILE – “Ghost guns” are on display at the headquarters of the San Francisco Police Department in San Francisco, Nov. 27, 2019. California state lawmakers advanced a measure Tuesday, April 19, 2022, that would make it easier to skirt a federal law in order to sue gunmakers, legislation that opponents say is ultimately aimed at driving manufacturers out of business. (AP Photo/Haven Daley, File) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
By DON THOMPSON, Associated Press
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California state lawmakers advanced a measure Tuesday that would make it easier to skirt a federal law in order to sue gun-makers, legislation that opponents say is ultimately aimed at driving manufacturers out of business.
Different committees approved bills targeting ghost guns, requiring firearm dealers to install digital video surveillance systems, and barring the marketing of firearms to minors.
They are among several bills that gained momentum from recent mass shootings, including what police now say was a gang battle that earlier this month killed six people and wounded 12 people just blocks from the state Capitol.
Democratic Assemblyman Phil Ting said his legislation would make it easier to sue gun-makers or dealers for liability in shootings that cause deaths or injuries.
Federal law blocks most of those types of lawsuits against the gun industry. But the U.S law does permit some types of liability lawsuits, including when gun-makers break state or local laws regarding the sale and marketing of their products. Last year, New York approved a first-in-the-nation law declaring such violations a “public nuisance,” opening up gun-makers to lawsuits, though the law has been challenged in court by manufacturers.
California already has some of the nation’s toughest firearm restrictions.
Among what legislative analysts count as 107 existing California gun laws is a 10-day waiting period, background checks for buying both guns and ammunition, restrictions on types of guns including assault-style weapons, and a 10-bullet limit on ammunition magazines.
“We have done better than other states, but still not good enough,” Ting said.
Gun control advocates said they have previously been stymied by the federal law when it comes to punishing manufacturers or dealers who are irresponsible or negligent in selling or advertising firearms.
Ting’s bill would require firearm makers and dealers to “take reasonable precautions” under a “firearm industry standard of conduct” in making and selling their weapons. That can include things like making sure buyers are taught how to safely store and use the weapon, he said.
They also would be barred from making or distributing guns that are “likely to create a substantial and unreasonable risk of harm to public health and safety.”
Starting in July 2023, violators could be sued by the attorney general, city or county attorneys, or anyone who suffered harm. They also could be sued for alleged violations of other laws, including false advertising, unfair competition or deceptive acts or practices.
“We think it provides a really good opportunity to put the power back in the hands of individuals who are the individual victims of gun violence,” Ting said. “And really, what we hope is by holding this industry accountable that they will be much more thoughtful about how they sell their weapons.”
The National Rifle Association said the bill’s real intent is “to torment the firearms industry through costly litigation.”
The bill is written so broadly that “almost anyone could bring civil action against the firearm industry,” said the California Rifle and Pistol Association. “It is an attack on the lawful commerce of firearms with an intent to limit the availability of firearms.”
The Assembly Judiciary Committee advanced the bill on a 7-2 vote.
A different Assembly committee voted 5-2 in favor of a bill aimed at “ghost guns,” which law enforcement agencies say have spiked in recent years. The U.S. Department of Justice reported nearly 20,000 were recovered nationwide last year, nearly double those seized in 2020.
The move comes days after President Joe Biden highlighted the Justice Department’s work to finalize new regulations to crack down on ghost guns, which are privately made firearms without serial numbers.
“Anyone with a credit card and skills to build Ikea furniture, and some spare time, can make the same gun that took the lives of two of my classmates and changed mine forever,” testified Mia Tretta, who was shot in Santa Clarita during a 2019 attack at Saugus High School, where she is now a junior. She also spoke at Biden’s announcement.
California law already requires anyone building a weapon to apply to the state Department of Justice for a serial number.
Assemblyman Mike Gipson’s bill would instead block the sale of unfinished gun parts until they are regulated by the federal government. The measure would take effect Jan. 1, and give Californians who have weapons without serial numbers six months to register them and add the numbers.
Sam Paredes, executive director of Gun Owners of California, said the emphasis on ghost guns is overblown and “privately made firearms have become an unfortunate scapegoat.”
Another committee advanced a measure, 7-1, to prohibit the marketing of firearms to minors, with each violation subject to a $25,000 civil penalty.
“Gun manufacturers target our kids with slick advertising, even children’s books,” said Democratic Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. “The advertising for these weapons is shameless.”
But Daniel Reid, the NRA’s Western regional director, said the bill would have unintended consequences including imperiling hunter education programs for young people.
“It’s clearly going to fail on First Amendment grounds,” he said.
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A story from a different age
Here’s the story of Captain Robert Campbell, a different kind of P.O.W.
A few weeks into The First World War and he was already captured by the Germans and sent to a prison camp, far away from any atrocities.
Remember this was WWI and the Imperial German Army still treated P.O.W’s with decency and nothing else special .
In December 1916, Cambpell heard word from home about his mother dying of a disease that was beyond curable. In a desperate attempt to be beside her in her last few days, Campbell wrote directly to Kaiser Wilhelm II.
To everyone’s surprise, not only did the Kaiser accept his request, but also accorded him a full 2-weeks stay plus two travel days, only if Campbell agreed to come back.
And, as a man of honor that he was, he did came back after spending his last moments alongside his mom by crossing the no-man’s land again to his fellow inmates.
Conditions in the camp didn’t seem to be too good because he began digging an escape tunnel to get away. This scheme failed but he was liberated anyway in 1918, without experiencing the meatgrinder of the front.
Conditions? Maybe not that great. The degree of chivalry shown between the two sides? Exceptional
Bad Air Bnb conditions, great services though.
I wished there were more honorable gentlemen like him today.
THE NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE didn’t like the way the NT Local Court dealt with the recent self-defence case, so they decided to take the law into their own hands.
PLAIN CLOTHED AND UNIFORMED POLICE in the NT have raided the house of Ron Sterry, who recently beat police against gun charges after he went to his neighbour’s aid.
The raid was carried out with the support of the drug squad when he was interstate.
They even tried to open Ron’s safe by drilling it because the keys were not in the house – until they were stopped by his lawyer.
The police walked away without any guns. Instead they took his chilli oil and vinegar.
See the video version of this story on NSCTV to get this, and other video content, before it appears here.
All funds raised go towards growing NSCTV into the video channel shooters have been wanting for ages.
Click here to check it out or go to nsctv.com.au.
RON’S ‘LAWFUL’ BEHAVIOUR
Readers might recall that Ron faced five gun charges, three of which were dropped before he went to trial. He was found not guilty of the fourth, and found guilty of a fifth charge (carrying a weapon in public) but he got a good behaviour bond for that.
The magistrate hearing the case saw through the police case and described Ron’s actions as being a ‘lawful excuse’, and ordered the immediate return of his licence, firearms and ammunition.
This was a big win for the Australian shooting community because it showed where protection with firearms was legitimate. Our story was shared on Facebook over 1,000 times and seen by more than a quarter of a million readers.
These are huge numbers – and we think this new story will reach even more people.
SOUR GRAPES
Unhappy with the result, police went to seize Ron’s guns again.
The basis for this is not clear but it seems to be directly related to the court case in that he was found guilty of one of the charges – even though the court dealt with that at the time. It’s relevant to note that the police made no application for his guns to be taken – and you’ll recall the magistrate specifically ordered their return.
The female senior constable leading the raid first went to Ron’s workplace, then to his house where they had no response to a knock on the door.
The officer then called Ron saying ‘she had paperwork for him’ and demanded he came to the front door when he politely told her he was in Adelaide.
She then accused him of lying and said she ‘knew he was in there’ and was watching her on his security cameras. That’s true, because we’ve got over 30GB of footage covering the raid.
Searching at the rear of his place
Going through Ron’s bins, before the search warrant arrives
She said he (Ron) was “making this really difficult”, before hanging up on him. Unhappy, the police went back to his workplace where Ron’s boss went to Ron’s house with a key to let them in.
COPS REASON FOR A SEARCH WARRANT
When Ron’s boss arrived, the drug squad was already there, armed with a search warrant.
While details are a bit sketchy, it would seem the police first on the scene looked through the windows of Ron’s house and saw part of an off-the-shelf chemistry set.
That’s because Ron has an interest in chemistry and has in fact applied to do a degree in chemistry (which is why he was in Adelaide at the time). He was intending to start his degree last year, but this was delayed by the earlier trial.
To be clear, Ron did not have anything in his possession that is illegal or was a precursor to anything illegal – just the kit.
Yet the police saw what he had as a precursor to the manufacture of Methamphetamine. We understand they seized some of the vinegar, which, if the drug squad tried hard enough, would allow them to make nail polish remover.
Police drill into Ron’s safe
POLICE GO AFTER RON’S GUNS
It was during this time the senior connie called Ron a second time, demanding to know where the keys to the safe were.
Ron said they were with him in Adelaide. This resulted in the cops pulling out their drills to get his guns.
Or at least they tried to, until Ron’s lawyer, Jon Bortoli, stepped in to stop them continuing because the police had failed to follow the correct process.
The treatment of Ron follows the recent negative publicity that the NT Police drummed up for themselves over their treatment of fellow officer, Zachary Rolfe, who was cleared over charges for fatally shooting a 19-year-old in the remote community of Yuendumu.
COPS’ HOT TASTE
Among the several items the police seized were several quantities of unidentified liquids, one of which, according to Ron, is a vial of chilli oil – a common ingredient in Chinese and Asian foods.
Among his experiments has been the extraction of caffeine from tea and coffee, acetone from vinegar (which we understand police also took), and other extractions from common household products.
Chilli oil
HELPING RON
We stood by Ron before, and we’ll do it again.
This is likely to become a more interesting fight because the basis for the raid is pretty thin and seems to cover matters that the courts have already dealt with.
In the meantime, Ron needs our help – again. We’ve already re-engaged Jon Bortoli as his lawyer and are working hard to see if we can have this addressed through whatever means may be possible.
We want to send a powerful message to the NT Police not to interfere with a shooter who has done nothing wrong, so have started a new fighting fund to help Ron out.
Plus, we might even send a chemistry kit to the NT Police Commissioner.
A bill that would lower the age to carry a handgun in Tennessee from 21 to 18 passed the House on Thursday.
Bill sponsor Rep. Chris Todd, R-Madison County, said that House Bill 1735 is about protecting the constitutional rights of 18-year-olds who can vote and enlist in the military. The bill passed by a 64-28 vote.
Tennessee 18-year-olds currently can possess firearms but they cannot carry a handgun unless they are honorably discharged or retired from the U.S. military or they are a member on active duty. Tennessee law allows for permitless carry for those ages 21 and older and, last year, it was sued over the restriction for ages 18, 19 and 20 by the Firearms Policy Coalition.
The companion bill, Senate Bill 2291, is currently in the general subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“This is strictly to get our law in compliance with the Constitution of the United States of America,” Todd said.
The bill met opposition from the Tennessee Department of Public Safety in committee as it was pointed out by Elizabeth Stroecker, legislative director for the Department of Public Safety, that it could threaten the reciprocity of concealed handgun permits for Tennessee residents.
But Todd previously said 25 states have continued to honor reciprocity for 18-year-olds from Tennessee since the exception for 18-year-olds was created. He said 11 others allow reciprocity but exclude 18 to 20-year-olds, with 12 states refusing reciprocity.
Todd also said that he has been told from several law enforcement agencies that lowering that age to 18 could help staffing issues in those departments as it makes younger adults eligible for employment.
“I think that is a slippery slope and we will see the negative impact of this in the future,” said Rep. Larry Miller, D-Memphis.
Stroecker said in committee that the Department of Public Safety will not get a definitive answer on whether those 21 states will drop reciprocity until a bill is passed and the department does its annual survey with other states.
“I do think, maybe, we might be giving some people legality to carrying guns that don’t currently have it,” said Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, who said he didn’t stand against the legislation.
“This is for law-abiding citizens,” Todd said in response. “We are not passing laws for criminals.”
Rep. Antonio Parkinson, D-Memphis, said that he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17.
“I had never shot a military rifle,” Parkinson said. “They wouldn’t put a gun in our hands until I went through safety training, range training.”
Parkinson said that he would prefer if there was an amendment that called for training before 18-year-olds could carry a weapon concealed.
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Jon Styf is an award-winning editor and reporter who has worked in Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan in local newsrooms over the past 20 years, working for Shaw Media, Hearst and several other companies.
Background Photo “Tennessee House of Representatives Chamber” by Ichabod. CC BY-SA 3.0.
