U.S.A. – -(Ammoland.com)- “The former CEO of an executive security firm charged in an alleged scheme to trade political donations for concealed-gun permits from the Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office abruptly pleaded guilty in the case Monday, in what prosecutors called a ‘significant development’ for a corruption probe that could threaten Sheriff Laurie Smith’s two-decade tenure,” The Mercury News reports. Others caught up in the investigation have been indicted for “brokering a deal for … AS Solution to receive up to a dozen concealed-carry weapon permits in exchange for $90,000 in campaign donations to committees supporting Smith’s 2018 re-election bid.”
It comes as no surprise that Smith and Undersheriff Rick Sung both pled the Fifth Amendment. Nor is it a surprise that an authoritarian hypocrite who denies a Constitutionally recognized fundamental right to “average citizens” would then turn to the Bill of Rights when there’s something in it for her. It’s also revealing — and almost humorous, were it not so offensively ludicrous and reeking — that “Supervisor Mike Wasserman repeatedly claimed that his bad memory prevented him from remembering whether he knew he was getting an illegal favor with a permit renewal.”
Such corruption is enabled and practically guaranteed by California’s “may issue” concealed carry permit laws, assigning the power to local sheriffs and police chiefs to approve or deny applications. That means Democrat-controlled urban areas are really “may not issue,” unless the applicant is “connected” and there is an incentive for the top LEO to either ingratiate him/herself or to return a “favor.”
Some of us have been calling attention to the injustice of unequal protection and denying rights based on “big club and you ain’t in it” discrimination for decades. One need only look at the way then-Los Angeles Sheriff Lee Baca handled permits for the rich and famous, while “ordinary people” were mandated to be defenseless. It’s no surprise that his corrupt ways ended up landing him in federal prison for obstruction and lying to prosecutors. Ironically, Baca will be a “prohibited person” when he gets out.
At this writing, Smith and her lawyers are no doubt waiting to see if/when the other shoe will drop and charges will be filed, and what effect her connections with, and knowledge about, Santa Clara luminaries will have. That brings to mind an observation that the corruption probe won’t be complete until discrimination in permit issuance is fully investigated and made public.
How do the earnings and race/sex demographic numbers and rates for permit recipients compare to the general population in Santa Clara County and in all counties throughout California? Are minority citizens afforded the same opportunities, or is “may issue” permitting controlled by police officials effectively racist?
The Democrat-dominated government in California makes great noise about how “inclusive” they are. How does that work in practice for which citizens are “permitted” by the “authorities” to exercise “the right of the people”?
About David Codrea:
David Codrea is the winner of multiple journalist awards for investigating/defending the RKBA and a long-time gun owner rights advocate who defiantly challenges the folly of citizen disarmament. He blogs at “The War on Guns: Notes from the Resistance,” is a regularly featured contributor to Firearms News, and posts on Twitter: @dcodrea and Facebook.
At the foundation of every progressive society you will find corruption. Progressive ideology is simply a quest for power by elites. Corruption is the key mechanism of achieving power over the majority of the people. Santa Clarita County is only one small example. Contra Costa, same thing. Orange County used to be. As with many of the coastal counties. Inland, in places like Kern, Fresno, San Bernardino and Riverside Counties you find “shall issue” Counties because they value liberty over elite power. As soon as Californians figure out this simple truth of their culture the sooner they can deal with… Read more »
To me there is nothing worse than a corrupt Cop.
What else is new? Barbara Boxer, who for better than a decade has demanded total, absolute gun confiscation across the nation, has a concealed carry permit. And that “gun safety” proponent Chuck Schumer? Ditto. Like Chicago mayor Lightfoot and the sanctimonious Pelosi, both of whom think salon visits are a necessity for them but a criminal offense for you, this selective application of “gun safety” is, once again, an example of “what is good for me is not good for thee”…
PUT THE B***H SHERIFF IN PRISON AND ANYONE WHO WAS INVOLVDED IN THIS CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL SYSTEM!!!
I live in Florida and we have a good permitting system here. The whole of law enforcement is restricted from our process. The only bad thing right now is, a progressive, liberal, Democrat was elected as the head of the Department of Agriculture. That agency Handles all permits in the State. Hopefully the people will get this traitorous Wench out next election!
It seems to me that Californians have brought this on themselves by electing democrats to every office and even the sheriff’s office is a political office which has extreme power. It is a shame that money is the driving force behind the conceal and carry license, the above figure of $90,000 for 12 licenses breaks down to $7500 per license, that should cause major concern for every citizen. Where is that anti-gun state attorney general or the Ronald Regan look a like governor on this? Everyone involved needs to be held accountable and the rights of the average citizen needs… Read more »
Lifetime career politicians and bureaucrats reak with the smell of corruption and favors. Term limits for all elected to public office would best serve ordinary citizens. Bureaucrats on the other hand are appointed to deflect issues away from those who appointed them.
Move from 6-Land 15 years ago and more happy about it every day.
Have you taken your meds today?
@John Dunlap – Straight comparison between demographics of permit holders and general population is along the lines of lies, damn lies and statistics. Ratios will differ simply Because people separate themselves culturally. Should compare how ratios differ in target region (Sant Clara or CA as a whole) to ratios in shall issue states such as Texas. Here in Texas, ratios differ despite our shall issue LTCs. Historically hispanics have been under represented though after the El Paso shooting that seems to be changing. Could just as well compare gender distribution and conclude that Texas’s permitting system is sexist due to… Read more »