Sheriff's solution searches for problem

[lukem]

As expected, new Sheriff Sandra Hutchens is sharply reducing the number of permits to carry concealed weapons (CCWs) issued in Orange County.

And the question is, why?

CCWs have always been a touchy political subject. Former Sheriff Brad Gates was criticized for jealously guarding the number of CCWs and handing them out primarily to political pals. Disgraced and indicted former Sheriff Mike Carona made relaxing the CCW rules a campaign issue – a winning campaign issue, many believe -- although he too was criticized for issuing some permits to his pals.

Now Sheriff Hutchens is angering many people in the "2nd Amendment community" – CCW holders and non-holders alike – by making the requirements for an ordinary law-abiding citizen to get a CCW permit far more restrictive.

It's hard to see why that's necessary. For one thing, it's not as if CCW holders have created any significant problems. Although sheriff's officials say a few permits are revoked every year for administrative reasons, no one can remember a single instance in which the holder of an Orange County CCW permit committed a crime with a gun.

(The often-mentioned case of a Carona crony waving a gun on a golf course doesn't apply; he didn't have a CCW permit.)

And the fact is that the number of people in Orange County who actually have CCWs is miniscule – largely because getting a CCW is a costly and time-consuming process of background checks and personal references and required legal and firearms training, and on and on. Potential vice presidential candidates are hardly vetted more intensely than Orange County CCW applicants – and for most people it's not worth the hassle.

So even under the relatively relaxed CCW standards of the Carona administration, only about 1,500 county residents (not including sworn police officers) were licensed to carry concealed weapons – which worked out to about one CCW permit for every 2,000 residents. Currently the number of valid CCWs in the county stands at only about 1,000 – and that number will be falling fast as people who have had CCWs for years are now being told that under the sheriff's new rules they no longer qualify.

Jim Derichsweiler of Placentia is one of them.

Jim, 74, is an avid gun collector and shooter. He got a CCW permit eight years ago because he often transports valuable firearms – a valid "good cause" for getting a permit under the Carona CCW rules.

But earlier this month, while in the process of renewing his permit, Jim got a letter from the sheriff's department saying that he hadn't shown sufficient "good cause" for needing one.

In other words, for eight years he was trusted to have a CCW, and it never caused any problem. But now apparently he is not qualified – and several hundred other current CCW holders like him are expected to be in the same situation.

"I guess if the criminals aren't breaking down the door you aren't going to get one," Jim says. And for him, there's a principle involved.

"Whether I personally (have a CCW) isn't the big issue," he says. "But it's a barometer of where we are on our freedoms and Constitutional rights. The 2nd Amendment shouldn't stop when I go out my front door."

Sheriff's Capt. Dave Nighswonger, who has the thankless task of overseeing the CCW program, acknowledges that "You will see the number (of CCWs) drop quite a bit" under the sheriff's new policies. Judges, prosecutors, people who carry large amounts of cash or are under direct threat to their lives may still qualify for CCWs, but most law-abiding ordinary citizens probably won't meet the new "good cause" criteria.

The captain says the sheriff is only trying to comply with state law, under which a CCW permit is a severely restricted privilege, not a right. He says if gun owners in Orange County want less restrictive CCW rules they should try to change state law to match so-called "shall issue" or "right to carry" states like Texas or Florida – although in generally anti-gun California, that's about as likely as Michelle Obama voting for John McCain.

Well, we can argue about whether the new sheriff is following state law or simply doesn't like CCWs. But given the relatively tiny number of CCWs out there, and the fact that CCW holders haven't caused anyone any trouble, you have to wonder:

Are the sheriff's new restrictions on CCWs really accomplishing anything?

Or are they a solution in search of a problem?

CONTACT THE WRITER 714-796-7953 or GLDillow@aol.com

Source: OC Register

[McCreary]

lukem, thank you very much for posting this here. I URGE ALL OF YOU WHO CARE ABOUT YOUR CCW RIGHTS TO FOLLOW THE SOURCE LINK AND LEAVE A COMMENT. Don't be part of the group that says "Oh, it's California. They let this happen, they deserve it." Would you say that to a rape victim?? Because that's what your fellow CCW holders in Orange County have become. WE DIDN'T LET IT HAPPEN, IT WAS DONE TO US!! We wrote to the Board of Supervisors, we wrote to the newspapers and TV stations, we made our will known AND THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IGNORED US. Sheriff Hutchens is LYING TO US by saying she is complying with state law. NO, SHE IS NOT COMPLYING. 80% of the counties in this state are LESS restrictive than what Orange County has become under Sheriff Hutchens. Brothers and sisters, stand with us, PLEASE.

[tattedupboy]

Let's not forget that this county IS located in the People's Republic of California. Nothing short of moving out of this godforsaken place will help what few freedom lovers there are left living there.

[comtech5]

With all due respect and utmost politeness, could everyone please make an effort to indicate which of the 50 states they are posting about? There are probably over a dozen "Orange counties" in the U.S.!

[The Gunny]

Kaulifornia is FUBAR! When will they look at the fact that states with more liberal CCW permit laws have lower crime rates it is as simple as that. This is a highly politcally charged media event. If you are rich and powerful or a friend of the sherrif you get a permit. They should just come right out and say it. I hope that someone will challenge the laws in that state but I am not going to hold my breath. I moved away I don't think it will happen in my lifetime.

[McCreary]

Folks, this forum is named USA Carry. California is STILL in the USA. Orange County CA Sheriff Hutchens has begun taking away hundreds of CCWs. Please follow the link and comment. Thanks!

News: Sheriff begins taking away concealed weapons permits | permits, carona, concealed, county, department - OCRegister.com

[McCreary]

Kaulifornia is FUBAR! When will they look at the fact that states with more liberal CCW permit laws have lower crime rates it is as simple as that. This is a highly politcally charged media event. If you are rich and powerful or a friend of the sherrif you get a permit. They should just come right out and say it. I hope that someone will challenge the laws in that state but I am not going to hold my breath. I moved away I don't think it will happen in my lifetime.

Gunny, 40 counties in CA are by and large "shall issue." Orange County have been very CCW friendly for the last ten years, until this new sheriff changed the rules. Yes, CA CCW laws are stupid. How much trouble is it to read the article in my latest post and comment?

[McCreary]

Let's not forget that this county IS located in the People's Republic of California. Nothing short of moving out of this godforsaken place will help what few freedom lovers there are left living there.

Moving out won't help, that's one of the reasons things are so bad--good people left. Help us out a bit. Please read the article linked in my last post and comment. Thanks.