California is always adding to its mountain of gun control laws aimed at disarming law-abiding citizens. Despite leading the nation in infringements, this year the California legislature sent four new gun control bills to Governor Gavin Newsom’s (D) desk – including a ban on one of the most common handguns in the nation. Unsatisfied with lording over his own subjects, Gov. Newsom has even proposed a 28th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to undo the Second Amendment.
Despite any blathering from the political class about crime, law-abiding gun owners can be assured these measures are directed squarely at them. It’s taken direct action from desperate voters to restore some modicum of sanity to the Golden State’s criminal justice system. Moreover, a recent shooting targeting the Sacramento, Calif. ABC affiliate and the state’s response drive home the point.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, on Friday, September 19 a man in his 60s is alleged to have fired at and into the offices of KXTV/ABC 10 in downtown Sacramento, Calif. The building was occupied at the time.
The incident took place two days after ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel was suspended in response to his false and inflammatory comments surrounding the assassination of Charlie Kirk. According to CBS News, “Investigators are looking into any potential connection between” the suspect’s motive and the TV personality’s suspension.
The National Review reported that the Sacramento district attorney informed them that local prosecutors believe the suspect was “politically motivated.” The U.S. DOJ noted that upon a search of the suspect’s home they discovered political messages.
A DOJ release stated,
There was a weekly planner attached to the refrigerator in his home. Under “Friday,” there was a handwritten note that stated, “Do the Next Scary Thing.” Law enforcement also found in his car a handwritten note that read, “For hiding Epstein & ignoring red flags. Do not support Patel, Bongino, & AG Pam Bondi. They’re next. – C.K. from above.”
Further, the National Review explained that the local DA’s office “believes that ‘CK’ stands for ‘Charlie Kirk,’ leading officials to believe that ‘that there is evidence that this individual engaged in attacks on the media and the free press for political purposes.’”
The suspect was arrested by local police the same Friday as the shooting and charged with assault with a deadly weapon, shooting into an occupied building, and negligent discharge.
Given the nature and severity of the alleged conduct, you could be forgiven for thinking California had an interest in incapacitating this suspect ahead of trial. Instead, the suspect was released on bail that Saturday. It fell to federal law enforcement to arrest the suspect outside his home later that Saturday on federal charges for which the suspect is fortunately ineligible for bail.
Gun owners can’t ignore California officials’ political posturing on firearms. Simple observation shows that California does not have a revealed preference for incapacitating those charged with or convicted of actual dangerous felonies involving firearms. Rather, their obvious goal is to enact endless reams of incomprehensible new gun control laws for only the law-abiding to suffer.
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