Angels [Camp] man stands his ground on guns

The Union Democrat (California) ^ | 10 September 2003 | SCOTT PESZNECKER

[45Auto]

An Angels Camp man charged with possessing several illegal firearms said he will prove that federal law gives him the right to have them.

What's more, said Richard Wilmshurst, he plans to sue California agents who searched his house. He claims they violated his civil rights and took some of his property, including a gold bar, during the search.

Wilmshurst, owner of 49er Subaru in Angels Camp, was arraigned, cited and released in June on three counts of possessing an assault weapon and eight counts of unlawful assault weapon activity.

His preliminary hearing in Calaveras County Superior Court was continued yesterday until 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 16. He and his Sonora attorney, Thomas Marovich, want more time to research state and federal gun laws.

"We would like to get this research done and address this in the earliest stage of the case as possible," Marovich said.

Wilmshurst, who graduated from law school in Stockton, is convinced he did no wrong and said he wants to take his case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"We're going to go as far as we have to go with it," he said after his hearing was continued yesterday.

Wilmshurst is a firearms importer, and said his federal license allows him to own guns that might be illegal under state law.

The charges against him stem from a routine inspection in January by a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent.

At his house in Angels Camp, Wilmshurst showed the inspector his cache of firearms, including a German machine gun and two high-power rifles.

Because all three guns are illegal in California, the ATF agent notified state officials of her findings.

The California Attorney General's Office filed its charges against Wilmshurst in Calaveras County Superior Court on May 29.

Yesterday, Deputy Attorney General Aaron Maguire said federal law does not shield Wilmshurst from state law.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Bang

[Prof Engineer]

hometown ping

[Gman]

How long before his home is re-zoned a "compound"?

[MichiganMan]

Probably as long as it takes them to make "White Seperatist" his first name.

[kenth]

Wow... I didn't see the word 'arsenal' in the article.

[mbynack]

It wasn't big enough to be an arsenal - it was only a cache.

[Roughneck]

Are these the same yahoos that have their panties in a wad over John Ashcroft and Tom Ridge Homeland Security Bill "taking peoples rights away?

They need to face federal charges for this. I'm sick and tired of the liberal-socialist-left in Kalifornia ignoring our laws and making their own.

[556x45]

"including a German machine gun and two high-power rifles."
LOL! Oh my not high power rifles! Where do these 'reporters' come from? They sure don't get out much thats for sure. Since when were 'high power rifles' illegal in CA? LOL! Im sure the mush brained hoards were impressed though.

[VeniVidiVici]

...unlawful assault weapon activity.

Criminy. Hopefully this wasn't done it public.

[Sabretooth]

Maybe he had a 20mm or something.

Knowing the press it was a 30.06 or something stoopid.

[heleny]

a routine inspection in January by a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent.

Why does the ATF have so much time to make these "routine inspections" to look for violation when the INS doesn't have the resources to deport illegal aliens, who, by definition, have already broken the law?

[stevio]

Bump for the patriot.

[btcusn]

Why does the ATF have so much time to make these "routine inspections" to look for violation when the INS doesn't have the resources to deport illegal aliens, who, by definition, have already broken the law?


Maybe we should transfer most of the ATF agents to the INS. Can hear the screaming now, no knock raids in full body armor and MP5's on the illegals. The libs would go ballistic!!!
I'd most likely have a heart attack from laughing so hard!!

Jack

[Mulder]

They need to face federal charges for this.

"Federal charges" should be filed against the Nazi thugs that commit sedition and deprive an American of his civil Rights.

[CheneyChick]

Heh - my parent's bought a car from his dealership....

[Roughneck]

Federal charges" should be filed against the Nazi thugs that commit sedition and deprive an American of his civil Rights.

If this were to happen, no one would be left in the democrat party.