Sheriff's gun policy assailed

Santa Maria Times (California) ^ | 5/13/07 | Chuck Schultz

[kiriath_jearim]

To some local residents' dismay, Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown doesn't believe the public is made safer by permitting more people to carry loaded and concealed weapons.

And he cites a 2005 handgun murder that climaxed a road-rage incident in Buellton as evidence of why he feels that way.

“Philosophically, I probably tend to be more conservative in issuing concealed-weapons permits” than were his recent predecessors, said the first-term sheriff who took office in January. That's “based on my experiences and my career” of 30 years in law enforcement, half as police chief for the cities of Lompoc and Moscow, Idaho.

[stephenjohnbanker]

SB is a socialist city.

[Niteranger68]

Brown said his denials have been mostly because those applicants didn't prove a specific need for carrying a loaded gun hidden from view.

That's an incredibly stupid statement considering your assailant will not have a concealed permit and will not allow you time to reapply for yours.

[Joe Brower]

"SB is a socialist city."

Just about every city is a socialist city nowadays.

[2harddrive]

Why then don’t he and his deputies turn in THEIR guns..to make the world a safer place??? Hypocritical jerk.

[VeniVidiVici]

The guy cited in the story as to why this “sheriff” isn’t inclined to hand out ccw; he had a ccw from Nevada and was the victim in the initial assault. After the agressor (who was legally drunk) reached into his vehicle and punched him in the face, the guy shot him with a .22.

And for that he got 33 years to life.

[Waverunner]

In Florida we would have a little different legal outcome.

[stephenjohnbanker]

True.

[RKV]

The NRA-ILA sent a mailer just prior to the election giving this maroon an "A" rating. Apparently Brown is a life member (I only have that 2nd hand). Multiple SB locals calling the NRA-ILA asking to revoke this sheriffs rating have been rebuffed. My friend who is one of the CCW holders was told by the NRA that they didn't care. I wish someone here had a contact at NRA HQ. All I want is them to send another mailer saying Brown's rating was now a "D" or worse. What's more, is he isn't outright denying permits, people still have to pay to go through the process. We have an estimated 350,000 people in SB County, with now 150 odd CCWs. By the end of this there will be an 80-90% reduction if my guess is correct. That ain't right. After all that has gone on lately, we need MORE CCWs, not less.

And the NRA couldn't care less. It is KILLING our efforts to raise money at our Friends of the NRA dinner for shooting sports and youth marksmanship training.

Meanwhile all is NOT leftwing in Santa Barbara County. Here's a photo of UCSB students at the range getting marksmanship and gun safety training.

[Popocatapetl]

“I am not anti-gun, I just don’t believe other people should have them.”

“I am not racist, I just think that people who are not part of my race, as a group, are inferior.”

“I am not a rapist, because any sexual act taken to its end is not, by definition, rape, even if it is forced.”

“I am not a violent terrorist Wahabbi fanatic, because Islam is a religion of peace.”

[RKV]

Sorry for the repetition. Any Freeper got a contact at NRA-ILA who we can get to revoke this guys NRA “A” rating?

[paul51]

Any LEO or elected official that doesn’t believe free, responsible law abiding people have the right to defend themselves is as dangerous as the felons that victimize us and should be run out of town.

[sheik yerbouty]

Very well said.

[RKV]

I am mildly familiar with the case. He got judged by 12. Unfortunately that says less about him and more about the jury. More is the pity.

[NavyCanDo]

“During the past five months, he’s approved 10 requests for concealed-weapons permits, denied 10 others and is still considering two other applications, according to sheriff’s spokesman Sgt. Erik Raney.

Brown said his denials have been mostly because those applicants didn’t prove a specific need for carrying a loaded gun hidden from view.”

Specific Need???? How about adding this to the application, “CHECK THIS BOX IF YOUR REASON IS FOR PERSONAL PROTECTION.”

[beltfed308]

The NRA-ILA sent a mailer just prior to the election giving this maroon an "A" rating.

This is the 2nd thread I have read today about the same issue. It really makes you wonder and I say that as a NRA member. GOA and JPFO are my favorites and my donations reflect that :>)

[RKV]

I don’t like being suckered, and this certainly feels like it. And nobody is home at NRA-ILA HQ. I’m an NRA member myself and they call me often enough for money. Now they can’t be bothered to fix the problem they made. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

[RKV]

Looks like the campaign contribution required to be worthy of a CCW just went up. /cynicism

That’s one major problem btw (potential for corruption/abuse) with the “may issue” CCW model.

[goldstategop]

Suburban counties in May Issue California are the worst places to try to obtain a CCW permit. It will usually be denied. Rural counties have much more permissive rules.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[goldstategop]

Yep. Alabama, Iowa and Connecticut have fairly administered may issue systems.California has a restrictive system that hands county sherriffs and urban police chiefs virtually unfettered discretion and that's a system prone to abuse and favoritism. As a result in California, in urban and suburban jurisdictions, one can get a CCW permit only if one is a politically connected friend of the sheriff or police chief, is a prominent celebrity or a well known politician. You must have "pull" to conceal carry in California.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus