The California Department of Justice has a police squad dedicated to confiscating firearms from prohibited persons through the Armed Prohibited Persons System (APPS). They work from a government database. See the problem? “[Michael] Merritt said that was the night of Nov. 5. Several agents arrived at his door and started asking questions about which guns he owned. ‘I thought, he’s here to get my guns for some reason,’ Merritt described. ‘He says, ‘You have a felony here from 1970.’ I said, ‘A felony? A pot possession charge from 1970.'” Let’s talk about “gun bullies” shall we? “‘We told them to leave the house and go get a warrant, and they said that’s fine,’ wife Karla Merritt said. ‘But, when we get the warrant and we come back, you’re going to jail,’ agents reportedly told the couple.” So Merritt handed over his guns. And then . . .
Merritt said several days after his guns were taken, an agent called back to say his guns would be returned.
“I asked him, ‘Why did you do this? What’s going on?’ He said, ‘We made a big mistake,'” according to Merritt. [ED: His pot conviction was a misdemeanor.]
On Nov. 21, Merritt said several officers came back and returned all the guns.
Props to bakersfieldnow.com for asking the obvious question: how often does this happen?
Eyewitness News asked how often guns get returned after an APPS seizure. The spokesman didn’t have hard numbers, but said sometimes guns are returned based on a court order, disposition of a case, or they can be transferred to another individual.
As for how often there’s a situation like Merritt’s, the assistant chief said it’s rare.
No hard numbers eh?
“Over the last two years, DOJ agents have investigated nearly 4,000 people and seized nearly 4,000 weapons, including nearly 2,000 handguns and more than 300 assault weapons,” reads the AG [Attorney General’s] statement. The Bureau of Firearms assistant chief says in 2013, the unit did 3,885 investigations and seized 2,714 weapons.
No doubt fans of the police state will rejoice at the stats. Right until they get that knock on their door in the middle of the night.
Thank you for the article. As a state, I believe CA is truly buggered. I’ll fight stupid laws and speak the truth wherever I am, but this state has too many that lean way too far to the left for it to do any good. They are offended by the truth and willfully ignore it.
While some of the fights against the obstacles against CCW permits are gaining serious traction, we have serious issues. With anti- gun politicians slavering for positions of power, we will have real issues when we no longer have Governor Brown in office. I see ammo taxes, ammo IDs, ammo permits, “ghost gun” bans, etc. all getting ready to be dusted off after the next mass shooting.
I live in Oakland. You pretty much nailed it. I live in a really nice neighborhood in the hills, but when my girlfriend comes over, I go out to her car to meet her and walk her into the house, even during the day.
I am selling my house this year and moving to Sonoma County. You can still buy a house there with a lot of land, and plenty of room to shoot.
Guy needed just a little more spine.
Actually requesting and having that warrant presented might have avoided the whole problem. Same reason that when the cops show up during a party, I open the door, step outside, and have someone else lock the door from the inside while I’m chatting with our boys in blue.
This, you know, ignoring the part where they showed up to take an American’s guns. Based on a marijuana prior from a superbly flawed justice system. In California. Of all places to use a pot charge as justification.
Actually don’t say a darn thing.
Tell them they need a warrant to enter and you will not answer any questions without council present.
If they continue to question you, they are breaking the law at that point.
Really. Breaking the law? What “law” are they breaking? Please cite the statute or penal code.
Don’t give advice on the internet when you don’t know what you’re talking about.
Actually, they are not “breaking the law” unless you are “in custody”, at which point Miranda kicks in ( I assume that is the “law” you were referring to). OTOH, if you are not “in custody”, or at least being “detained” you can go on about your business. .
Coming to an area near you. Except that it’ll be at 3 a.m with 40 armed swat guys and you’ll be shot and your guns confiscated.
BTW
I think those people looked like gang members.
“Now before you brand me a xenophobe, know that I love me some immigration.”
Sigh. We are so screwed.
http://www.vdare.com/articles/immigration-how-the-gop-lost-middle-america
WAIT RF! Let me put my shocked face on….
Well ok not really.
Sam Paredes of GOC had this to relay.
“This year, a California Sheriff reported that the system has shown to be anywhere from 40-60% inaccurate, regarding persons who have been labeled “prohibited” and have thus had their firearms seized needlessly.”
https://www.gunownersca.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=153%3Agoc-responds-to-proven-inaccuracies-in-california-s-boasted-armed-prohibited-persons-system-apps&catid=21&Itemid=178
I would have said, “Fine get your warrant and I will NOT be going to jail” if I was in this man’s situation. Actually, it doesn’t matter, if this had happened to me in my own situation I will say exactly the same thing since I have never been arrested for anything in my life. The worst violation I ever had was getting a $25 ticket for having an open container of alcohol 20 years ago; I had a half of a plastic cup of beer and I was standing in the sidewalk outside of my friend’s house.
“I want California back. Let’s make it ours. Only one question…how?”
There are only two ways to “get California back”:
(1) Populate it with a super majority of people who embrace personal responsibility, fiscal responsibility, limited government, our Natural Rights (including the Second Amendment), etc. Oh, and they have to vote accordingly. Or,
(2) Fall back on the “might makes right” approach and take it by force.
Look, you never get something for nothing in life. What are you going to give up in California? Are you going to give up the yuppy dual-income no kids lifestyle and early retirement to have large families of Second Amendment friendly children? Or are you going to sacrifice any or all of your job, business, income, freedom, family members, and possibly even your life as a consequence of using force?
I think it’s going to have to be the first option, but in 20 years or so. At least not until the politicians figure out that they are killing the state economy. Once CA has become more business friendly, and it becomes reasonable to support a family there, move back and vote on guns.
As always, I could be wrong.
I’m glad my city, Fresno, issues CCW permits to all eligible applicants so we can carry in SF whether the leftards like it or not.
Best Advice, move away from STUPIDVILLE! Or get a guntrust then you can actually tell them you don’t own any guns.If the sieze them ,you’ll have them back in 24 hours and your lawyer will have a lawsuit against the officers personally, the city/county and Kamala Harris’s Atty General’s office.Ilegal search and seizure ,theft, 4th Amendment violations,trespassing,you get the idea.YOU GUYS IN CALIFORNIA GET A CLUE ,SET UP A GUN TRUST AND THEY CAN’T TOUCH YOUR FIREARMS,THEN GET A GREAT GUN ATTORNEY,HELLO???
Is “Hope for a Chinese Invasion” an appropriate response?
Californians are doing it to themselves. The majority clearly support these policies and have no interest in a discussion. I feel sorry for the poor souls who are there for jobs or family.
Someone’s missing ear pro . . . go go gadget tinnitis?
Two words regarding this travesty:
1. Lawyer
2. Millions
Grats MSG Moore. You make Boerne proud !
Over the past decade of war, women have contributed in unprecedented ways True statement but not per the party line talking points.
I grew up shooting all metal BB pistols almost an exact replica of a 1911. This was in Santa Clara, CA back in the late sixties, in the suburbs, cheek by jowel houses and no cop was ever called because a bunch of kids were running around shooting real looking guns at each other.
We have devolved into a waste land of the PC spinal jellification of a whole generation. The land of the free is now a land of diaper wearing adults that still live emotionally if not literally in their mommy’s and daddy’s house.
I have two words that will easily describe why SAXET gun shows is now having difficulties with the people in Austin despite years of well run shows. Kimchi Tacos. Problems for Texas gun owners arrived right along with that type of nonsense.
Hey Nick, I found your long lost cousin:
http://www.mrconservative.com/files/2014/01/2014.01.24-mrconservative-52e2ac9155bba.jpg
[ http://www.greeleygazette.com/press/?p=23656 ]
Jim Lawitz, Civitas Media director
The way I see it, the people running the show have a 40~50 year head start. Those of us of the same “social” (an important term) generation, who today resist, fell asleep at the wheel sometime ago and they ran us over. Then we woke up and now it’s late. Don’t look anyplace else. It was our fault.
We failed to invest the time to pass our values to the new generations. Those of us who tried to fight were fought at our children’s level by peer pressure from the children of parents on the other side of the argument, and mostly defeated. My record is 50/50 and I gave it my best shot, including retiring early with less money so I could spend more time at home passing on my experience and values to my children. To me 50/50 is a Fail.
The 24/7 media propaganda machine finally reached everyone in the country about 15 years ago and they hammered the new Political Correctness to the young and naive, up and coming generation who easily identified with lack of morality, drug culture, etc. and embraced it as “their” resistance to authority, their new “social” generation.
My money is on the present generation being the last generation with some semblance of the 2A left in place because the will not protect their rights – any rights. They already know that everything they do on their mainly digital world is being recorded and they don’t give a hoot in hell.
Changing the course would take at least one, if not two more generations. And that fight would be intense. It starts with the young ones, and the other side has that part sewn up, all the way up to the Federal level, controlling the schools and the rules.
Either that or some major event in the history of the country that changed the direction of the tide would have to take place, and that would get really ugly in a hurry.
I’m just impressed that they confessed to the mistake and returned his guns. I was expecting the outcome to have been them returning at 3AM, tossing the house and “finding” a couple kg’s of coke and a few bundles of hundos all conveniently stuffed in a police duffle.
Yup, I think that they have to keep rallying. “Out of sight, out of mind” which does nothing to keep their plight visible.
Yes, they need to keep rallying. “Out of sight, out of mind”. They need to stay visible to keep their plight in the forefront.
NEVER open the door for a cop. You’re only asking for trouble. Just stay quiet. If they have a warrant they would never have knocked anyway, a swat team would have busted in.
Cops are bad actors in society.
“You can’t look at this (sticker) and not think about Sandy Hook, Yeah. Those stickers really did a lot of good there.
I guess Sandy Hook went so great for the grabbers that there is no need to get serious about school safety, yeah, stickers are plenty good. We are dealing with a cult willing to give their & their childrens lives for their cause. Death is a tough sell though, we are doing reasonably well, Randy
Good to hear for all those in South Carolina.
I think jerry revealed his trick on how he’s that good. Its not training its tea otherwise who the hell drinks tea instead of beer to watch the super bowl.
CA is almost as bad as MA. It’s easier to buy a handgun there, although it has to be from their approved list, there’s a ten-day waiting period, and you’re only allowed to purchase one every 30 days. That actually means only one every 40 days, because most gun stores won’t start the 10-day waiting period until after the 30-day period has expired. However, in most CA counties, it is damn near impossible to get a CCW license.
I dont do cops..Ever.. in the unfortunate event that I violate a traffic law.. I say nothing.. hand my papers over and wait.. If they come to my house, I dont answer the door, If I happen to meet one in a social setting I avoid him like the plague.. I dont converse, chit-chat- make small talk, or introduce myself.. I dont talk guns, politics, football, baseball, women, nothing with them.. If I saw one in need, injured, or in distress, I would walk the other way…
I think they will have a hard time proving 1st degree murder in this case. I don’t have much sympathy for this guy though. I can maybe see asking them to turn down the stereo, but then he says he heard somebody say something about killing him and felt the need to confront them again. Then he says he saw “something” and opened fire. Guys like this need to spend more time training and less time looking for a confrontation.
The comments on the original article are an interesting insight into the mind of an anti gunner. It’s amazing how much hate and vitriol is being spewed towards the NRA, white people in general, Chl holders, and gun owners as a whole.
Wendy Davis’ “support” for open carry is like Barack Obama’s alleged opposition to Gay Marriage. It will cost her nothing with her gun-hating supporters because absolutely no-one thinks she is telling the truth.
Shooters tend to fall into several distinct species;
My Thoughts into the Eight Species of Recreational Shooters – Part I; http://wp.me/p45P9s-8w
My Thoughts into the Eight Species of Recreational Shooters – Part II; http://wp.me/p45P9s-96
Semper Fi Marine, Iraq is a hell hole and Fallujah was\is one of the worst parts. I have a unique perspective having been a FMF Corpsman in Iraq and an Independent Duty Corpsman after. I usually take care of the wounded, (but thank God Marines let Doc’s get some when no ones looking), I’ve seen more wounds caused by various weapons than I’d ever expected. Many of the insurgents took massive amounts of drugs which made them very hard to put down. A friend of mine had to use his SAW and dump 200 rounds on 2 insurgents, they just kept moving. 5.56 has it’s uses, and you have to use the right ammo for the twist in the barrel and the length of the barrel. Yes, there are other calibers you can have in the AR platform, go with what you’re comfortable with. I have a very nice custom AR-15 in 5.56, it shoots very well with 62 grain penetrators, even better with 77 grain rounds. I also have 8 FN FALS, one of which is my primary weapon. It all comes down to proper shot placement, using the right ammo for your weapon and sometimes, a massive amount of luck. After using my M9 in country, I hated 9mm, even though I know that quality hollow points work in that caliber. I’m still very attached to my 1911 in .45, I might get a FNX .45 to have more capacity. There is always a trade off for the caliber you use, it’s up to you to make the right decision, for YOUR needs. Go with what you shoot best with, what you can have a good amount of ammo for and matches your needs. Don’t buy a rifle in a caliber because someone else says it’s the best, do your own research on the range. I worked in a gun store when I was in Camp Lejeune and I saw too many people buying a rifle just because of something they read. Make sure that you get quality training for whatever weapon you choose, nothing can replace good training, there is no amount of money you can spend on a rifle or pistol that will automatically make you a better shot.
Fact – in CA, even in the most conservative counties law enforcement can and will confiscate firearms. They sometimes call it “surrendering”.
All any person has to do is call 911 from any place without being at or even near the scene and accuse a person of loud speech, “Domestic Violence”. Law shows up, enters your gated, locked property without you even being there. They can ask questions of your elderly disabled, and heavily medicated spouse. Even though your spouse says nothing happened. The police can say something did happen. They can then search your house. put you in handcuffs, take or keys and wallet. They can then open locked buildings, open locked safes, confiscate all of your firearms. They will seize any medications on the property and give them to anyone they want. They will take you to jail. book you, finger print you, take DNA samples, put you in lockup with harden criminals who will threaten your life. If lucky you can get bail $50,000.00 for $5.000.00 nonrefundable fee.
If lucky, you can find a lawyer for $5000.00 nonrefundable retainer. If lucky, he will tell you to spend lots of money and time getting letters from professionals for your defense. If lucky, he will make a plea to the DA on your behalf. If lucky, the DA will decline to file and order your seized property to be returned. If lucky, law enforcement will received the order. If lucky, law enforcement will send you a package application for you to send with more money to the CA DOJ. If lucky, many months later you may receive a certificate stating you are allowed to possess firearms. Hopefully you don’t have to pay the storage fees of $120 for each firearm, that is if they haven’t destroyed them.