California decriminalizes possession of stolen guns, and the theft of most guns..

[virginia mountainman]

It used to be a felony to be caught with a stolen gun, even just stealing the gun was a felony..Not anymore..

From the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office..

PRESS RELEASE: THE PASSAGE OF PROPOSITION 47

Effective immediately, the passage of Proposition 47 will have the following effects on the custody and policing practices of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department:

1. In most instances, many crimes that were previously “arrestable” as a felony will now only be “citable” as a misdemeanor. That means they may not be booked into jail but rather given a citation (similar to a traffic ticket) with a court date to appear, and released in the field. They will not be held pending trial. Such felony crimes that are now misdemeanors include:
• Commercial burglary (theft under $950)
• Forgery and bad checks (under $950 value)
• Theft of most firearms
• Theft of a vehicle (under $950 value)
• Possession of stolen property (under $950 value)
• Possession of heroin, cocaine, illegal prescriptions, concentrated cannabis, and methamphetamine

2. Inmates awaiting trial on any of the above felony charges in most instances will be able to have their charges immediately reduced to the new misdemeanor level, and will be let out of jail on a citation. A determination as to each person’s eligibility is somewhat time consuming, but could result in up to 420 releases.

3. Inmates who are sentenced on the above felonies can petition the court for reduction of their felony convictions to misdemeanors and many of them would be also be eligible for immediate release.

4. Convicted felons with the above felonies in their history can petition the court to have their prior felony convictions reduced to misdemeanors. If successful, many of the prohibitions they faced would then be reinstated, such as the right to vote, the right to purchase a handgun, the ability to apply as a peace officer, etc.

Is this the sort of "Sensible gun control" we have been hearing so much about? Just giving someone a citation to show up in court if they are caught with a stolen weapon?

[blueridge3210]

1. Looks like a simple issue

of re-defining the dollar value of Felony Theft versus Misdemeanor Theft. Not sure about the reduction of prior convictions to misdemeanor charges; I am sure that particular devil is somewhere in the details.

[Angleae]

13. How much time has to elapse befor the legislature can modify a proposition passed by voters?

I believe it's 2 years here in WA (although we call them initiatives).

[Jenoch]

2. I wonder what would happen to somebody

who has a stolen gun but did not steal it or even knew the gun had been stolen?

[blueridge3210]

3. Surrender the weapon to the authorities?

Since one cannot legally possess stolen property. No charges, but you lose the item?

[petronius]

4. The CA Democratic Party endorsed a 'Yes' vote on this proposition, as did

Nancy Skinner (CA Assembly) and Darrell Steinberg (CA Senate)--both of whom have authored/supported gun control legislation in the past, IIRC--and the ACLU. (Also on the support list is Rand Paul, for some reason. And Newt Gingrich. As if we in California care what they think.)

Senator Feinstein came out in opposition, and her reasoning was largely firearms-related...

http://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_47,_Reduced_Penalties_for_Some_Crimes_Initiative_%282014%29

[virginia mountainman]

5. I am all for reduced pendalties for "non-violent" drug offences..

But for theft and other such crimes?! That is bullshit...

[NYC_SKP]

8. I guess I fell for it. I feel mislead. Theft, especially involving weapons, ain't cool.

And for some of the citizens in the bankrupt high-foreclosure towns, there's already a dire lack of police protection and increase in property crimes.

This looks like a green light for burglars and thieves.

[roody]

6. We are tired of living in incarceration nation. From, California

[Eleanors38]

7. Theft & posession of a firearm a misdemeanor?

Burglary as well? I don't think a dollar amount should govern these offenses. The rest is reasonable.

I wonder what our gun control friends think about these legal changes in CA.

[Packerowner740]

9. That's just nuts

Where do criminals get their guns? They steal them. Why would someone have a stolen gun if they were nit criminals?

[Nuclear Unicorn]

10. This makes no sense to me. I think my pro-2A / anti-regulation bona fides are pretty well

established. I would have opposed this measure.

60% of gun homicides are committed by people with criminal records. Most gun crimes are committed with stolen guns. Turning a blind eye to stolen guns makes no sense.

[benEzra]

11. So if I understand correctly...

Possession of a stolen gun: misdemeanor
Stealing a gun: misdemeanor
Possession of an unregistered 11-round magazine: felony
Adding a handgrip that sticks out to a Ruger Mini-14: felony

Do I have it right, as the law now stands?

[virginia mountainman]

12. Very correct..

This is the "sensible gun control" they harp about...

[Angleae]

14. So long as the stolen gun has a retail value of less then $950, then yes.

[pablo_marmol]

15. You've got it right.

California insanity on clear display.

I voted against this, FWIW. It's absolutely amazing how nuts my fellow lefties are w/regard to the gun violence issue.

[pablo_marmol]

16. And now THIS, benEzra:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1172&pid=155636

It's enough to make your head spin!

[beevul]

17. I think, the gun control folks need to be put on the spot...

I think, the gun control folks need to be put on the spot, and asked to defend this:

Possession of a stolen gun: misdemeanor
Stealing a gun: misdemeanor
Possession of an unregistered 11-round magazine: felony
Adding a handgrip that sticks out to a Ruger Mini-14: felony