I’m a bit hesitant to write this article as the recent killing spree of Kevin Neal left five people dead, many wounded and more that would have been killed by this sick individual. My prayers are for the victims and their families and communities. These were good people going about their day. They probably never knew or heard of Kevin Neal. They did not deserve to die or be wounded.
What is absolutely intolerable is that the killer was able to illegally obtain and use his weapons despite the highly restrictive gun laws of California and his past crimes. To recap the facts, he was BARRED from being allowed to possess a gun:
- Jan 31, 2017: He was charged with illegally firing a weapon and possessing an illegal assault rifle resulting in a ban on his possession of weapons and five felonies and 2 misdemeanors.
- Feb 21, 2017: a judge issued a restraining order against him for his stabling of a woman. He was barred from having guns
- Police had been called to his home several times in the past year for his firing of weapons, but searches did not find any weapons
- No one reported a recent domestic violence event at his home that was a prelude to his killing spree.
California’s gun laws simply are not working and the politicians who continue to push for them are effectively lying to the people. If the gun laws truly were effective, these same politicians like Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom would not have ARMED BODYGUARDS 24×7. But you or I are severely limited in having a gun for self-defense.
If a nut case like Kevin Neal approached you with a weapon what would you do? Call 911 and wait for the police? (topic of conversation at your funeral) Run and get shot in the back? Try to talk with him and get a bullet to the face?
The sad state of affairs in California is that there are a lot of mentally deranged people and plain criminals lurking among us thanks to society’s moral decline, rampant drug use, release of criminals due to prison overcrowding, limited law enforcement due to coddling by some politicians and progressives. The politicians and wealthy are safe thanks to their armed bodyguards. Law enforcement personnel are also protected as they are armed.
But what about we average citizens? We’re nothing more than potential victims as we are largely barred from having a gun for our personal protection.
It’s time we voters demand that politicians stop pandering to elitists bent on removing the right to have firearms for personal protection of the average woman or man. Death or injury are the consequences of not being trained and prepared to deal with a deranged person like Kevin Neal.
Californians passed the ill-named Proposition 63 last year… called the “The Safety for All Act of 2016” it added to the already burdensome gun laws that already existed in California and, worse, by adding certain restrictions as parts of the State Constitution, removed the legislature and California Department of Justice from fixing any aspects of it that were problematic. “I’m fighting to pass Prop. 63 because it will, without question, reduce gun violence and save lives,” Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom argued in its promotion (as he plans to run for Governor in 2018). Gee, Prop 63 sure didn’t keep Kevin Neal from his murder and mayhem spree, did it?
I live in a County where the Sherriff is wise enough to realize that his officers may be an hour or more away from a resident whose life is threatened. A concealed carry permit is granted for a 2-year period after an intensive 16-hour training course, fingerprinting, background check, reason for carry and interview; the permit once issues may be revoked for violation of any restriction. Unfortunately, it’s just a matter of time when the irresponsible feel-good politicians and progressives will remove this privilege. They’ll still have their bodyguards, but regular, law-abiding citizens won’t.
Remember this when you vote… what is your politician’s position on the right to bear arms? Do they have your back or will they sacrifice you to society’s criminals?
Walt Watson resides in rural Northern California where one still finds clean air and pure water, devoid of the distractions and crowded rat lifestyle of urban / suburban living.
