LA Sheriff Shuts Down All Gun Stores, Releases 1,700 Inmates

Authors

UPDATE 3/27/20: Gun stores are NOW closed again under the order of Sheriff Villanueva unless one is a police officer or a security guard, in which case, FFLs can sell ammo and firearms to that exempted personnel.

***

UPDATE 3/25/20: Sheriff Villanueva has suspended efforts to close gun stores pending a decision from Gov. Newsom:

The sheriff for Los Angeles County is making bold moves this week to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, including shutting down all gun stores and releasing inmates from county jails.  

Sheriff Alex Villanueva indicated that the decision to close FFLs was about public safety and protecting people from themselves.  

“We will be closing them, they are not an essential function,” Villanueva told FOX 11. “I’m a supporter of the 2nd amendment, I’m a gun owner myself, but now you have the mixture of people that are not formerly gun owners and you have a lot more people at home and anytime you introduce a firearm in a home, from what I understand from CDC studies, it increases fourfold the chance that someone is gonna get shot.”

Along with shuttering gun shops, Villanueva has let 10 percent of the inmates in county jails back out on the street, roughly 1,700 criminals, out of fear they may contract and spread the contagion to other inmates. 

Though, the sheriff contends that they are nonviolent lawbreakers and with a ramped-up police force, Villanueva ordered an additional 1,300 officers to patrol local communities, they shouldn’t be a problem.

SEE ALSO: CZ-USA Shuts Down Facilities Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

“We’re gonna keep violent felony suspects who are a threat to the community in the jail no matter what,” Villanueva said. “Anybody who has an idea that somehow we’re not going to be hard on crooks out there on the streets, they’re tragically mistaken, there’s twice as many deputies on the street now so the odds of you getting caught are a lot higher.”

Many Californians have expressed concern about the possibility of martial law being enacted.  Photos of military vehicles in the area have put citizens on high alert.  But Villanueva said the National Guard has not been activated as of yet and wouldn’t be unless things got out of hand.  

“If we start losing major portions of our sworn personnel, that impacts our ability to man jails or our patrol obligations, and were running out of people to do that, if were in that position typically our counterparts in LAPD they’ll be in the same boat, then we can use the National Guard to start assigning them to security operations,” Villanueva explained.

LA County isn’t the only municipality in California that has decided to close gun shops.  The city of San Jose also ordered FFLs closed under its shelter-in-place directive.  Evidently, the overlords in California believe the public’s access and ability to purchase guns and ammo is a privilege and not a right.

It should be noted that the Second Amendment Foundation (SAF) is currently suing the state of New Jersey over its decision to close gun stores and stop running background checks on firearm transfers. It’s quite possible that LA County and San Jose will also find themselves the target of a SAF lawsuit in the near future. Stay tuned!

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  • Ryan June 15, 2020, 12:35 am

    Newsletter?

  • Paizly C June 3, 2020, 9:35 pm

    I uphold this 100% and so should all AMERICAN CITIZENS!

    ” The American’s Creed
    by William Tyler Page

    I believe in the United States of America as a government of the people, by the people, for the people; whose just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, a democracy in a republic, a sovereign Nation of many sovereign States; a perfect union, one and inseparable; established upon those principles of freedom, equality, justice, and humanity for which American patriots sacrificed their lives and fortunes.

    I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.

    –Written 1917, accepted by the United States House of Representatives on April 3, 1918. ”

    AMEN

  • Michael Romes May 29, 2020, 1:29 pm

    That sheriff Villanueva, is a complete moron, idiot, illiterate, goofball, dumb ass, egocentric, dipshit, megalomeniac.
    Well, you get the idea.
    His day will come

    • GP Gerber June 4, 2020, 1:39 am

      Your day will come real soon as well, count on it.

  • David Ruff May 28, 2020, 10:15 am

    Since when does the sheriff have the authority of his own accord to close down ANY business? Says he worries about citizens shooting each other, then releases 1700 criminals? Yeah, makes perfect sense to me….

  • Neta May 27, 2020, 9:05 pm

    For ever crime committed by a criminal released from prison, the person granting the release should be charged with the crime the released criminal committed. I’m sure not too many criminals would be back on the streets committing the same type of crimes they went in for if this was the law.

  • Vlad May 25, 2020, 7:44 pm

    Who the fuck died and made this cretin king?

  • David Saxon May 22, 2020, 7:23 pm

    So, the city releases prisoners and close the gun stores, punishing the citizens twice over, remember this at election timecitizens of LA

  • Ben Weihrich May 11, 2020, 1:31 pm

    WAIT A MINUTE, UPDATE:

    Published March 24, 2020 • Updated on March 25, 2020 at 9:30 am

    LA County Sheriff Reverses Decision on Closing Gun Shops

    The initial move by Sheriff Alex Villanueva to close the shops on Tuesday enraged Second Amendment advocates, who said they planned to challenge it in court

    The Los Angeles County sheriff reversed his own decision to order deputies to make sure gun shops were closed during the coronavirus crisis after the county’s top lawyer said the shops could be open.

    The initial move by Sheriff Alex Villanueva to close the shops on Tuesday enraged Second Amendment advocates, who said they planned to challenge it in court. Los Angeles County, the nation’s largest county with 10 million residents, enacted a stay-at-home order last week requiring all nonessential businesses to close. The county counsel says gun shops are essential businesses.

    Villanueva said Tuesday gun shops are not essential businesses and ordered deputies to make sure they were closed during the coronavirus crisis. The move was contradicted hours later by the county’s top lawyer/

    Los Angeles, the nation’s largest county with 10 million residents, enacted a stay-at-home order last week that required all nonessential businesses to close to slow the spread of the virus.

    The county order — and an executive order from Gov. Gavin Newsom — did not specifically mention gun shops, prompting the Los Angeles County counsel’s office to issue a statement late Tuesday saying it has “opined that gun stores qualify as essential businesses.”

    https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/coronavirus-covid-19-los-angeles-county-sheriff-gun-shops-second-amendment/2334792/

  • Dorothy witkop May 5, 2020, 12:18 pm

    Make this sharable

  • Dianne Adair May 3, 2020, 9:10 pm

    If actions could be considered an OXIMORON
    Emphysis on MORON this would be it.

  • Debbie Chambers May 2, 2020, 10:59 pm

    CRAZY!! DONT LET OUT CRIMINALS PERIOD.DEFINITELY DON’T CLOSE GUN SHOPS…PEOPLE HAVE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES!

    El stupido!!!

  • Brenda April 29, 2020, 3:00 pm

    I agree it’s not a essential business. People need to have all the bullets they need already. And if people aren’t violent offenders & almost due to get out of jail anyway then go ahead & let them out. My cousin was due out the 1st of March in Ala & he’s still in there cause they say the parole board isn’t working still. Well let them out🤷‍♀️

  • Richard Grune April 26, 2020, 3:33 pm

    Ex parte Milligan, 71 U.S. 2 (1866)
    This is NOT an opinion. This was the ruling of the United States Supreme Court shortly after the “Civil War” in Ex parte Milligan, 71 U.S. 2 (1866) which yet stands to this day:
    “The Constitution for the United States is a law for rulers and people equally in war and in peace…at all times, and under all circumstances. No doctrine…was ever invented… than that any of its provisions can be suspended during any of the exigencies [emergencies/urgencies] of government.” pp. 120-121
    “…there is no law for the government of the citizens, the armies or the navy of the United States, within American jurisdiction, which is not contained in or derived from the Constitution.” p. 141
    In 16 American Jurisprudence 2d, a legal encyclopedia of United States law, suspension of the Constitution is prohibited, as follows:
    “It is sometimes argued that the existence of an emergency allows the existence and operation of powers, national or state, which violate the inhibitions of the Federal Constitution. The rule is quite otherwise. NO emergency justifies the violation of any of the provisions of the United States Constitution.” Section 71
    “…Neither the legislature nor any executive or judicial officer may disregard the provisions of the Constitution in case of an emergency…” Section 98
    Therefore, ANYONE who declares the suspension of constitutionally guaranteed rights (to freely travel, peaceably assemble, earn a living, freely worship, etc.) and/or attempts to enforce such suspension within the 50 independent, sovereign, continental United states of America is making war against our constitution(s) and, therefore, we, the people. They violate their constitutional oath and, thus, immediately forfeit their office and authority and their proclamations may be disregarded with impunity and that means ANYONE;. Congress the Senate even the Governor and President. These politicians are breaking constitutional law in front of us and in front of the Supreme Court judges. Why isn’t our leaders going to the Supreme Court about this? We need to gather all 50 governors and leaders from other places that the United States represents, House Majority and minority leaders, Senate majority and minority leaders… Including our own president, to the Supreme Court and make this for real. We need the Supreme Court to give these people a lesson in the Constitution. Immediately!

    • Ron Smith April 28, 2020, 4:55 pm

      And who is going to give the Supreme Court a lesson in the Constitution?

  • Kliff April 26, 2020, 2:13 pm

    The sheriff is protecting people from theirselves?

    No you are violating their rights granted by God…

    When I read this my first thought was , I bet a sniper would teach them a lesson…

    But that would only reinforce the sheriff’s beliefs…

    And on the other side , after they banned all the cool guns in CA , anyone still there is kinda asking for it…

    Government only bans guns when they plan to do something that would cause law abiding citizens to shoot them for.

    So instead mr.v I believe the people of LA County have a plan for you…

    There is something every Californian values more than guns and I believe the people are gonna……..

    T.P. YOUR HOUSE!!!

  • Scott Lindsey April 25, 2020, 10:25 pm

    It doesn’t matter if people get shot at home! 43 years ago I was accidentally shot at home! I pray to God that no one gets shot! But the police came to my home and looked at my gun and locked it in my truck. No one ever said anything about taking my guns! Hell it was my fault! Things happen every day! No one’s right to keep and bear arms should be taken by such a trivial excuse! U.s veteran!

  • Nunyobuniness April 25, 2020, 12:22 am

    Lots of Freaks in America the Sherriff is one of them.

  • Glen April 22, 2020, 8:17 pm

    So far, three month into the Corona virus madness and stupidity, where toilet paper stocks are gone, yet no one can give a good reason to buy that product, other than keeping your azz clean when you get Corona, the stupidity of this Sheriff to say gun accidents will go up, well, sounds nice and quiet! Where are the increase Sheriff????????????? He is LYING to say he is a 2nd Amendment supporter, EVEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SAID GUN STORES ARE ESSENTIAL BUSINESS! He is just a lying wolf in sheep’s clothing, NOTHING MORE!!!

    • Joyce April 25, 2020, 12:39 pm

      Leave our gun laws alone and keep criminals in jail!!

    • Scott Lindsey April 25, 2020, 10:47 pm

      You said it all!

  • Drew Dowdy March 28, 2020, 2:26 pm

    California is a socialist country all of it’s own. I live in Tennessee!!

  • LOUIS G BURLESON jr March 27, 2020, 9:03 pm

    2nd amendment is not revocable by any elected or appointed official, this is a violation of god given right , I would not comply

  • Randy March 27, 2020, 8:11 pm

    TOO MANY KALIFORNICATORS are moving to Idaho and fucking my state up. Stay the fuck there and sleep in the bed you dumb asses continue to make.

    • Shan March 28, 2020, 6:24 pm

      Nope. Your state will be ruined next. Thanks for all your help stopping the commies here. I’m sure all your rights will be gone soon. Oh well maybe you can move to another state, if they want you.

    • Glen April 22, 2020, 8:19 pm

      Isn’t the definition of STUPIDITY doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result!!! Liberal STUPIDITY is like the virus, it keeps spreading like a wildfire!

      • Laurie Mae May 23, 2020, 4:09 pm

        Actually…that is the definition for insanity, not stupidity

    • Jon April 26, 2020, 11:19 pm

      I agree. Duchebags moved to Colorado and phucked that state up as well.

  • Grant Stevens March 27, 2020, 6:37 pm

    If government can turn inalienable rights into privileges, then our hard-won Bill of Rights are just empty words on paper. Tyrannical government never lets a “good” crisis go to waste. This is precisely why our wise forefathers gave us the Second Amendment. Needed now more than ever.

  • bill March 27, 2020, 5:23 pm

    “lot more people at home and anytime you introduce a firearm in a home, from what I understand from CDC studies, it increases fourfold the chance that someone is gonna get shot.” And having a pool in your back yard
    increases your chance of drowning 100%. how bout draining all the pools you dumbass. This is just the peoples republik of kalifornias’ being against the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. If he and the rest of the socialists running this state wanted to protect people they would NOT be releasing prisoners. Lock down ALL the prisons.

  • Altoids March 27, 2020, 4:23 pm

    “Along with shuttering gun shops, Villanueva has let 10 percent of the inmates in county jails back out on the street, roughly 1,700 criminals, out of fear they may contract and spread the contagion to other inmates.”

    So they can now spread the contagion among the general citizens instead – brilliant!

  • Peter Brown March 27, 2020, 4:22 pm

    “…they are not an essential function…” What’s that? Donut shops? That 5 star politician ought to be familiar with those. I do not dislike law enforcement. I have respect and gratitude for them. However, what is it with 2, 3, 4, and 5 star police chiefs and sheriffs? Are there 4 star sheriffs in that department? Does this guy have illusions of being supreme commander as was General Dwight D. Eisenhower?
    The campaign ads showing a 5 star sheriff will be very impressive! Wow! Next step; the state, sheriff?

  • Leonard Stephen March 27, 2020, 4:17 pm

    I understand that during an emergency situation, police and other officials may have broader powers to avoid what happens in most emergencies. We have to take into consideration the nature of the emergency, though.
    If I live in a snowy area, and my road is closed, I understand a deputy may tell me to find a different route. I also realize why we give police extra power during an evacuation or a physical catastrophe. To a degree, it makes sense.
    We can still go to the store to buy food, and the banks are open, and mail is delivered. The liquor stores and marijuana dispensaries remain open, as do repair shops. We need certain things, and we have the government telling us what is essential and what isn’t.
    Apparently, the Powers That Be have decided nobody is going to need to protect themselves or their home because criminals are going to heed the stay at home orders. This will not be the first time they have erred egregiously.
    At some point in the future, there will have to be a review of the authority we have given to elected and appointed officials. Did we allow them to increase their power, or will an evaluation need to be made by the Supreme Court?
    Some of these emergency actions seem to be a power grab.
    I think they have taken a step too far this time. We shall see when this also passes.

  • Pseudo March 27, 2020, 4:03 pm

    This clown will be with another clown on television today, Dr Phil at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

    “1700 criminals released who are not felons” Does not mention that LA,, NYC and others have changed the definition of what constitutes a felony offense: simple assault (who deems what qualifies as a simple assault?), burglary, Robbery, shoplifting etc But they readily ignore the victim. So you cash your check to pay rent and have $900.00 cash, get robbed so you are out of your money. Meanwhile the police catch the criminal, who is then charged with a misdemeanor. In New York he gets a court date and no bond assigned, free to go until court date. Since the first of March where I live murders have doubled from last year for the month of March, but sheriff says with everyone being home, and schools closed it has no affect on this?

  • BIGKIELBASSA March 27, 2020, 3:48 pm

    Please post his home address and phone number

  • Michael March 27, 2020, 3:41 pm

    Here in Texas, several major city and county “govern”ments ordered gun stores to close (Houston/Harris County; Dallas/Dallas County; San Antonio/Bexar County, Austin/Travis County, Lubbock, and Waco. This if course flies in the face of established law prohibiting this action by local governments. Our Attorney General (Paxton), quickly came out with his opinion supporting legislation that was past in 2019 prohibiting that type of action over the commerce of firearms and ordered them to cease and desist. The rule if law prevails over the local POS’.

  • Mike March 27, 2020, 3:33 pm

    This makes me soooooo glad I left California 9 years ago. I hope the lawyers bury the politicians who decided this was a good idea.

  • Ted March 27, 2020, 3:32 pm

    First thing i have to say is it serves them right for electing this A$$hole in the first place. Second, you should ALWAYS be prepared, dont wait for the last moment to get needed supplies . People never learn…

  • Roger March 27, 2020, 2:29 pm

    Is it legal to boycott any products, produce, companies in CALIFORNIA? Instead of going to Disneyland go to Disney World. Instead of buying produce from California buy it from Florida. Look where something is made and not buy it if it’s produced or made in CA.——–Just wondering?

  • John March 27, 2020, 1:59 pm

    And what gives this local yokel the idea that he has the Right and ability to shut down guns stores as it is a legal business and necessary when unrest is at hand ? It’s in OUR CONSTITUTION!! WHEN will thes Liberal minded people learn it’s OUR GOD GIVEN RIGHT (NOT GOVERNMENT) TO PROTECT OURSELVES ?

    • joe March 27, 2020, 2:56 pm

      i’m a liberal minded guy, john…and I applaud the fact we’re closing gun shops…we’re saving you conservatives from shooting yourselves in the foot…think of it s a safety measure john…face the facts…we’re saving your ass…be thankful…stay safe john…

      • Shan March 28, 2020, 6:30 pm

        thank god there are libs out there who can save me from myself.
        Spoken like a true liberty hater. Say hello to your tyrannical masters for me.

      • Comanche March 28, 2020, 9:21 pm

        Joe Dummass,
        Your typical Progressive liberal, always think you know what’s best for the other guy. Progressives are the worst thing that’s ever happened to this country. How fitting that this viruse disease is considered Progressive

      • Thomas Meadows April 30, 2020, 4:05 pm

        And YOU are a FOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Dan May 15, 2020, 3:47 am

        Joe you are wrong
        You are a sheep most libs are enjoy your socialism

  • Richard March 27, 2020, 1:58 pm

    Just ANOTHER sign of our times-Taking the oath to the constitution is ‘just a formality’ that public officials have absolutely no intention of upholding or bearing allegiance to. The time is nearing when the Freedom/constitution loving people in/of America MUST take a stand, and say NO MORE-with actions NOT words.

  • John March 27, 2020, 1:14 pm

    If you are waiting for a disaster to come before you buy a gun or a roll of toilet paper you are a fool and deserve what you get. Gun shops just need to stop selling to law enforcement to make a statement we are there for everyone civilian or law enforcement. Barrett already doesnt sell to California maybe the rest of the gun and ammo manufacturers need to do the same.

    • Danny March 27, 2020, 1:54 pm

      That sheriff has the look of “I’m not gonna get reelected now” on his face. It’s not a surprise at all this socialist shithole would do such a thing..the gun stores should just say Fuck u Newsome and stay open anyway. Of course they would arrest them and give em 20 yrs for terrorist activities or whatever they made up.

    • Ted March 27, 2020, 3:33 pm

      BINGO !

  • skipNclair March 27, 2020, 12:46 pm

    This bozo has no authority do take such action, he is a traitor at best, and if the people in Calif. do not remove this traitor as soon as possible, then they get what they deserve.

  • John March 27, 2020, 11:46 am

    This is un-constitutional. This Sheriff says he supports the 2nd Amendment. Perhaps he should read it. It’s not about The government controlling the people, it’s about the people controlling the government. It’s a right. No reason to comply with this baseless order.

    • Anthony Worsley March 27, 2020, 12:03 pm

      I agree, the Sheriff is in the wrong. It is essential to have guns stores open, so the people can protect themselves by having available access to any gun that is legal they can purchase. Ignoring the fact this is their 2nd amendment RIGHT not a fringe benefit that fits the political scheme of things in California the bastard state of obstructionist Democrat.

  • Dave Morgan March 27, 2020, 11:22 am

    Letting prisoners out because they may spread the china flu to their others/no thoughts about spreading their flu to OUR OTHERS?..When they repeat offend, think thinning the flock will occur..

    On the gun/ammo sales, the bright side of that may be that youngster growing into the age of legal possession of firearms may just now becoming able to realize the need..

    I know that many sellers are more out of ammo than they were when big ears was trying to be president..

  • Michael J March 27, 2020, 10:59 am

    During a disaster is no time to run to the local gun store and yet people are doing just that. Reality that the government has been lying about being your protection in times of need has finally set in.
    They can’t or won’t be there for you and yes you are you’re own first responder, armed or not.
    Unfortunately for most it takes a national emergency to prove how gun laws only restrict the law abiding.  Supporters of the 2nd Amendment have known this all along.

    • Ted March 27, 2020, 3:42 pm

      Us SCOTUS case law is very clear on the issue. THE POLICE ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO PROTECT YOU AS AN INDIVIDUAL ! Castle rock v Gonzalez, DeShaney v. Winnebago County Department of Social Services, and Another case was at a lower court in Warren vs DC. REQUIRED READING IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE TRUTH>>

      • Comanche March 28, 2020, 9:30 pm

        TED,
        you are factually correct sir, I believe the more people that would understand this would exercise their second amendment rights and vote accordingly!!!%
        good day sir.

    • Lloyd A Smith March 28, 2020, 12:21 am

      Well stated and accurate. The local law enforcement anywhere cannot possibly protect us all. And now, after the fact, rush to the LGS and buy more ammo than you can carry for the weapons you don’t know how to use. I don’t want to be anywhere around these people when SHTF! Crazies in Texas doing the same thing. I guess they feel the need to guard their toilet paper. They are welcome to mine when I’m done with it.

      • Comanche March 28, 2020, 9:38 pm

        Floyd a. Smith
        go find your rock and climb back under it, click your heels three times and everything will be just fine!!!%

        • Chris March 30, 2020, 7:46 am

          Comanche Lloyd’s comment was referring to the inexperienced leftist anti-gun nuts that NOW want a gun with NO idea how to even Semi-safely know how to use one. They should’ve been prepared long ago…

  • Russ March 27, 2020, 10:33 am

    Yeah that makes perfect sense in Californistan. Let 1700 criminals go from jail. You just told them that it’s okay to commit crime, and they will. Then close gun stores so legitimate law abiding citizens can’t buy what they are legally able to get. That truly is the stupidity of that state. That state should fall in the ocean, soon.

  • Jim Cargill March 27, 2020, 10:12 am

    Here is an easy way to understand and explain 2A, and why this action is unconstitutional.

    We all have a Basic Human Right to protect ourselves and our loved ones. We get it the day we are born. It is universal, world-wide. The Second Amendment gave Americans the most reasonable tool with which to protect themselves. THAT is why people in many nations must use a knife or club for self defense, and why people in America HAVE THE RIGHT to use a firearm. PERIOD.

  • david DeGeorge March 27, 2020, 10:11 am

    this is how our country is running now . it treats the criminal better that the law abiding tax paying person. they will release criminals but take away the means for people to protect them from these criminals . don’t do the crime if you cant do the time .

  • Roger rad March 27, 2020, 9:43 am

    For those complaining…Well if you would rather take the risk of catching the virus and potentially dying from upper respiratory infection or passing it on to your loved ones and they possibly die…then I think you have an unhealthy idol worship issue with guns…likely anybody making a comment here already has plenty of weapons and ammo…so…you really just need to stay healthy and weather this crisis…

    • Shan March 28, 2020, 6:39 pm

      Stay in your safe space Roger. It will all be ok. Watch your main stream media and suck on your thumb it will all be ok.

  • Alej Marcos March 27, 2020, 9:33 am

    Caifornians – stay the hell out of Texas.

    • sfvshooter March 27, 2020, 1:34 pm

      Don’t worry, you couldn’t pay me to move there.

    • Shan March 28, 2020, 6:42 pm

      I give Texas 10 years tops. Big cities will rule soon. That’s what happened here. You cannot fight it.

  • Robert P Boitt March 27, 2020, 9:12 am

    Nothing will be done without accountability. People like this Sheriff swore an oath to the Constitution and the people. Here he clearly breaks it. Throw him out!

  • Evan Padden March 27, 2020, 9:12 am

    HERE WE HAVE A PRIME EXAMPLE OF SOCIALISM AT WORK YES YES YES!!!!!! you’ve heard the now infamous cliche(never let a good crisis go to waste) add to that a heaping helping of socialist control from SOCIALIST state officials and poof you get a real stand up guy socialist puppet, masquerading as a REAL sheriff! yes masquerading!! the sheriff of any locality county city what have you takes an oath to uphold the AMERICAN constitution, for he/she is an elected official of the people!!! and when I say uphold the constitution I mean all of it(2nd amendment included)regardless of whether there is a pandemic afoot or not!! CALIFORNICATION AT WORK!!! proof positive that California is indeed a socialist state!! curiously I heard of no other state city or county in the union placing such restrictions on guns in a crisis-if anything quite opposite would true in a real honest to goodness crisis guns would be your last line of defense should things get out of hand IT’S ALL ABOUT CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • joe lib March 27, 2020, 3:03 pm

      you don’t by any chance pay into social security now do ya???

  • Gerry March 27, 2020, 8:56 am

    Sorry to say this clown was elected solely because he’s Hispanic. (He is Puerto Rican-Polish, actually.) The previous Sheriff was well on the way to straightening out many of LASD’s problems and had many years of experience as a police administrator. This guy was an LASD lieutenant, which anyone in law enforcement can tell you is primarily a do-nothing job. He is waaaay out of his league running the place.

    • Russ March 27, 2020, 10:35 am

      Affirmative action and most likely allowing illegals to vote is what put him over the top to win I am sure. What a mess californistan has become.

  • Kent March 27, 2020, 8:45 am

    Is this a Constitutional Site, or do they just like editing to appease Liberal’s?

  • jgw March 27, 2020, 8:43 am

    Typical Democrat liberal response. Waste no crisis to push their anti 2a agenda. It’s not just this sheriff, many PD and sheriff offices across the nation have taken a similar approach to releasing some convicts out early or not arresting lower level offenders at this time. They have also made statements officers/deputies may not be available if their resources are stretched thin. Then immediately in the same press conference scolding people for being stupid for buying up all the guns.

    Yet they can’t figure out exactly why gun sales are up 300 something percent recently and people have gone into panic bells mode. Hmmmmm anyone with some semblance of common sense can figure that one out.

    Vote them out at your next available opportunity.

    • joe March 27, 2020, 3:06 pm

      nah…just make sure you vote that wanna be Russian czar trump out of the white house and into the out house where he belongs…

      • Comanche March 28, 2020, 9:45 pm

        Joe is really Dave Hoag incognito the victim for hire!!!%

  • LOVERIDING March 27, 2020, 8:34 am

    Well sorry to say but most Californians are special people.

    • Grady Ellis April 27, 2020, 9:15 am

      Does this mean they rode the little short bus to school?

  • David Bartlett March 27, 2020, 8:31 am

    The correct abbreviation for Las Angeles is L.A.. We here in Louisiana do enough dumb stuff already. We don’t need people thinking that we are letting prisoners loose and closing gun stores. Our governor does plenty of dumb things on his own…

  • David James Fagan March 27, 2020, 8:21 am

    The constitution is what it is, there’s a sworn oath there you broke it.
    Not that I terribly disagree very much with just shooting the rapist but just where does it end?

  • rsmalt March 27, 2020, 8:13 am

    Hmmmm…..shut down all FFLs, and release 1700 inmates. I guess the word “irony” is nowhere in the Sheriff’s vocabulary.

  • Gregory Romeu March 27, 2020, 8:01 am

    Pay close attention to who you do NOT want to re-elect as YOUR county sheriff next election! Actually, LA County voters should immediately.start seeking his removal from office, NOW!

    • Ghost March 27, 2020, 8:43 am

      Being able to protect your Family is no longer an Essential Duty America!!. According to Communist LA Sheriff.’s Dept. their duty is releasing criminals who can prey on helpless victims..
      Isn’t Communism great America??

      • Big Al 45 March 27, 2020, 9:09 am

        The SCOTUS itself found that NO Police agency has a duty to protect any individual, only the public interest ‘et all’.
        So, his decision is indeed most egregious, as he has pretty much said you are on your own, AFTER which he removed your ability to defend yourself.

    • Larry C March 27, 2020, 9:55 am

      Sorry! You are mistaken about the people in L.A. county. They are domocrats to the very core. They will probably re-elect him with even a greater majority!

      • joe March 27, 2020, 3:09 pm

        better a democrat than a dumbed down republikkkan trump ass kissing moron…

        • Shan March 28, 2020, 6:46 pm

          Good one Joe. Yeah Trumps bad. I think I saw that on TV.

        • Comanche March 28, 2020, 9:55 pm

          Hey it’s Joe (David Hoag) the progressive liberal victim for hire with an opinion again!!!%

  • srsquidizen March 27, 2020, 8:01 am

    Yeah they allow shops selling a federally banned controlled substance to stay open as supposedly “essential” but shut down stores selling the only goods so necessary for our protection that banning them is explicitly prohibited by the Constitution. That’s California in a nut shell pun intended.

  • M. Hudson March 27, 2020, 7:59 am

    The gun shop closing has been reversed as of yesterday according to local newspaper. Each county sheriff has been given the power to make the decision for gunshops being open or closed in their county.

  • Frank S. March 27, 2020, 7:30 am

    Sometimes this site is just like the Trump hating Democrats — anything Trump does for whatever reason (good as well as bad) is pushed back against. Anything to do with any type of restriction on firearms is pushed against. ALL NON-ESSENTIAL SERVICES/STORE WERE CLOSED. Clothing stores, hobby shops, etc. I’m sure anyone who really needed/wanted a gun and could legally buy one has it already — or should. As well as ammo. Most of you (in CA and other restrictive states) that can have a firearm (or three…) already has it and bought up some ammo as soon as you saw this pandemic starting, and well before any shops were closed. Gun stores weren’t targeted — they are not essential to daily life, just like bars and restaurants and many other stores. Pharmacies and grocery stores are essential…

    • Jim March 27, 2020, 8:07 am

      I don’t know about Cali but here in Texas liquor stores are still open. Explain how that’s essential?
      I do agree with your premise but I still don’t trust who and how the “officials” go about choosing the winners and the losers.

      • Adam March 27, 2020, 8:49 am

        Jim, I thought the same thing about liquor stores when I saw them on the essential list for Collin county, but then I realized it was all about the tax income. Not about our safety etc. Sigh.

    • Bob March 27, 2020, 9:12 am

      Frank,

      You are a misguided soul. You state bars and restaurants are not essential services. Nothing could be further from the truth. In Wisconsin they are allowed to stay open for carry-out service only. How in the hell do you think these business owners and their employees will make it without income? Who is this power hungry sheriff anyway? A suck-ass former deputy who kissed his way to the top. How dare he violate 2nd amendment rights of people residing in that county while at the same time release criminals into the public to potentially spread the virus so it isn’t happening in his jail where at least it would be contained!!

      It is unfortunate that you are too dense to recognize that it is never appropriate to infringe on the people’s rights. There is no hope for you.

    • StaffII March 27, 2020, 11:44 am

      Soooo if they closed down the gun stores for being “non-essential” then did they close all the Pot (marijuana) stores to. talk about no-essential.

  • Gus March 27, 2020, 7:28 am

    If you ever needed to be slapped in the face for a wake up call, just read this headline a couple of times very slowly to yourself, then just TRY to convince yourself that democrat politicians have innocent law abiding citizens welfare in mind. Every tyrannical dictatorship, regime or power grab has started with DISARMING the citizenry, deceiving them into believing it’s for their own best interest. Followed by so called governments forcing their decisions onto said people. When a government controls it’s people, they cease to be a nation.

  • Eric Holder March 27, 2020, 7:04 am

    He released 1700 non violent offenders who were incarcerated? Okay so why are we incarcerating non violent offenders in the first place? The Police have no duty or obligation to protect anyone except person(s) the government has a special relationship with such as those in custody so basically the Police are a big ZERO and the people are denied the right to bear arms to protect themselves. Hopefully the foolishly unarmed Americans will arm themselves well when this tyranny is over but I know many will forget very quickly.

    • Jim March 27, 2020, 8:13 am

      So if I break into your home when you’re not home and steal all of your guns and valuables, let’s just say $20,000 worth of goods. I should not be incarcerated? If I steal your $80,000 truck, I should not be incarcerated?
      I could go on and on but……

  • Michelle March 27, 2020, 6:35 am

    Well then I guess that means that the Sheriff and Governor are personally liable for any crimes against citizens during the period that their citizens can’t defend themselves.

  • Chastran March 27, 2020, 6:27 am

    This Mexifornian is quite obviously every bit as stupid as he looks and a total embarrassment to the uniform that he wears…

    • Charles Surratt March 27, 2020, 10:34 am

      He reminds of the mob boss John Gotti. And what’s with all the sheriffs and chiefs of police wearing the five stars on their shirt collars (I thought the stars on the collar were reserved for generals and admirals with the last five star wearing military leaders serving in WWII)? Martial law must be coming with all these star wearing buffoons (sarcasm intended).

      • richard March 27, 2020, 2:09 pm

        I am a 27 year veteran police officer(now retired), and I have been warning of the ‘militarization’ of the police for 20 years. Take the ‘tactical gear and bdu’s off-get back into a proper uniform and stop the robo-cop fantasies.

  • Steve March 27, 2020, 6:26 am

    You keep letting prisoners go and you’ll soon find out that the gunshops are very essential!

    • Higgs Boson March 27, 2020, 9:15 am

      Cowardice has run amok. This sheriff is obviously not thinking about the citizens of his county. I am amazed at how far this crap has gone and will go with the walking all over the Constitution.

    • Higgs Boson March 27, 2020, 9:15 am

      Cowardice has run amok. This sheriff is obviously not thinking about the citizens of his county. I am amazed at how far this crap has gone and will go with the walking all over the Constitution.

  • Guido March 27, 2020, 6:09 am

    The libtard logic here is almost predictable:

    “A home with a gun introduced into it is (4) times as likely someone is going to get shot” Hmmm…That makes sense, I suppose.
    So does “A home with television introduced into it is four times as likely to have television viewers”, or any such combination of devices vs. actions.
    I think the key here is that “a home with guns introduced into it is (4) times as likely to shoot an inmate from my jail that I recently released, (even though I previously saw cause to imprison them) that is threatening residents in the home”.
    It’s also kind of stunning that he is “releasing inmates from his jail because he doesn’t want them to infect the inmates he hasn’t yet decided to release”.
    Pretty clear who’s team he’s on and whom he is most concerned about “protecting”.

    • Joey W March 27, 2020, 7:30 am

      its all about taking away our rights, any excuse will work as long as they are able to controls us all

  • Gerald Smith LT.Commander Special Ops Ret. Vietnam/Gulf War March 27, 2020, 6:06 am

    Instead of closing firearms stores, he might want to lose that excessive fat ass. He doesn’t have to do this. He will walk away with a $400,000 a year retirement at the tax payers expense. He will go out as a disability commando. He eats to many burritos as evidence of his to much in the trunk butt.

  • Kurt T Hollyday March 27, 2020, 3:20 am

    California, New Jersey, New York, Chicago and all of the other liberal, communist run states do not deserve to own firearms. They keep voting these a$$holes in office and things only get worse. Look at their homeless problems, crime problems, illegal immigration problems, drug problems, education problems, infrastructure problems, etc, etc…. Every big liberal city is the same throughout the country. If you keep making the same mistake, you will get the same result, and they do. They are screwed now and it’s their own fault, they need to overthrow their elected leaders. Have fun with that now that you gave up your “FREEDOM FIGHTING TOOLS”!

    • Hardtimez March 27, 2020, 8:42 am

      While your dumass don’t see that even pro gun states are establishing red flg laws, instituting restrictions on gun sales and waiting period. Even trump support red flag laws. Stop wishing bad will on others as you will be next

      • Lee March 27, 2020, 9:25 am

        Every business here has been deemed essential, I dispose of old oil basically, lowes, homedepot ,the cable guy , warehouses are open what makes them essential

  • Dale March 26, 2020, 2:07 am

    Sue LA and San Jose. Any other municipality that chooses to restrict access to firearms or ammunition OR personal protection devices violated our rights so keep them locked in court battles for years.

  • Edward March 25, 2020, 2:00 pm

    It isn’t a sheriff’s opinion that drives the 2nd amendment. It isn’t his job to make that decision.
    He is stepping over his boundaries.

  • Jaque March 24, 2020, 5:51 pm

    COMMUNISTS AT WORK. They open the prisons and close the gun shops. Its the perfect setup. The new criminals are the police leadership. Their decision will insure more citizens are harmed by criminal scum

    • John Bailey March 27, 2020, 5:57 am

      Sheriff Alex Villanueva indicated that the decision to close FFLs was about “public safety” and “protecting people from themselves”.

      This Pinko dickwad springs criminals from jail and shut down gun shops. How “non-essential” can The Bill of Rights ever get!

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