Anonymous
Source: Santa Maria Police Department
Officers from the Santa Maria Police Department Special Enforcement Team (SET) served a narcotics search warrant in the 200 block of West Williams Street, Santa Maria.
During the search of the residence, officers found an unloaded handgun, 3 loaded semi-automatic handguns, several rounds of ammunition and methamphetamine possessed for sale.
Elias Santiago 25 years old, Mario Medina 24 years old, Francisco Alfaro 27 years old and Salvador Gonzalez 23 years old were located in the residence. All are convicted felons and were charged with felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition and a gang enhancement.
Adam Valdez 42 years old and Henry Castillo 44 years old were located in the residence. Both are convicted felons and were charged with felon in possession of firearms, felon in possession of ammunition, gang enhancement and possession of methamphetamine for sale.
Vanessa Maldonado 30 years old, was located in the residence. Maldonado was charged with being under the influence of a controlled substance and possession of narcotic paraphernalia.
Daniel Medina 18 years old, was located inside the residence. Medina was charged with possession of narcotic paraphernalia and obstructing or delaying a police investigation.
All are residents of Santa Maria. All were transported and booked into the SBCO Jail, except Daniel Medina was issued a citation and released from SMPD.
So, can I conclude that CA’s strict gun laws don’t prevent dangerous felons from procuring them? Somehow, I don’t think these dudes had a background check prior to getting their guns.
Because they’re not strict. Just somewhat stricter than, say, Texas.
I am all for laws that are both constitutional and effective; ideally if the societal cost is less than the societal benefit. You would never agree to restrictions on your first amendment rights to free speech. It has a cost and as we all know, freedom of speech is not free by any means. It’s not a mistake that gun rights are in the Second amendment. The founders felt it was that important. Yet there are many who would completely delete these rights for others even if they do not want to exercise these rights themselves.
Its well documented that California gun laws are among the strictist in the US. These laws just make it more difficult for law abiding citizens to exercise there Second amendment rights. They do not make it safer as criminals still get guns outside of these strict measures.
CONCERNED4CALIF – so let’s just not have any laws, right? I mean, criminals don’t follow the law, so what’s the point? Right?
Steve-O – I’m not proposing anything, I’m merely pointing out the fallacy in the argument that gun laws are not working because criminals can still get guns. Does that make sense?
We don’t have strict measures. Look at the success of civilized nations like Australia and Japan in reducing gun violence, with truly strict laws.
I hope you realize that there *are* restrictions on 1st Amendment rights.