Applications to carry concealed weapons have spiked just about everywhere in Northern California in recent months, part of the ominous national trend. A Feb. 9 report in the Yuba-Sutter Appeal-Democrat notes the surge in those two counties which lie in the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills, directly east of the Emerald Triangle. "There's been a dramatic increase in applications in the last few years," Yuba Sheriff Steve Durfor said. "I think it's reflective of uncertainty in the world and more people feeling vulnerable with increased talk of gun control restrictions." Sutter County Sheriff J. Paul Parker reported the same trend: "Five years ago, we had 650 permits. Now we're at 1,174."
This raises the conentious issue of whether localities will honor federal restrictions on gun ownership by those who use controlled substances. A medical marijuana user would likely be denied a concealed weapons permit in Sutter County, Parker said. "The federal government lists marijuana as a narcotic and, if you're a narcotics user, you can't have a concealed firearm," he told the Appeal-Democrat. "If the federal government didn't list marijuana as a narcotic, then it would be a different story. However, in Yuba, medical marijuana use alone wouldn't automatically disqualify a concealed-carry application, Sheriff Durfor said: "It would be something we would consider and weigh. But, by itself, it wouldn't be a reason to not issue the permit."
Graphic by Global Ganja Report
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California sheriff defies feds
El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini announced his is stripping agents of the US Forest Service and other federal agencies of the right to enforce California state law in his county. Uncertain what actual effect this will have, or what D’Agostini's motivations are. He only vaguely states: “I take the service that we provide to the citizens of El Dorado County and the visitors to El Dorado County very seriously, and the style and manner of service we provide. The US Forest Service, after many attempts and given many opportunities, has failed to meet that standard.”
But in January, when a gun control measure was pending in Congress, D’Agostini wrote Vice President Joe Biden stating: "The purpose of this letter is to go on record of re-affirming my oath of office and making it clear that I and my staff will never violate [our oath of office] by being pressured into enforcing any unconstitutional provision, law or executive order." (New American, John Birch Society, June 28; CBS Sacramento, June 21)
Sexual abuse at cannabis camp claimed
Two men are accused of forcing a 15-year-old girl to work on a Northern California marijuana grow, sexually abusing her and locking her in a metal toolbox for days. Ryan Balletto, 30, and Patrick Pearmain, 24, both allegedly abused the girl who was trimming marijuana buds for them at Balletto's Lake County property. The girl, described as a runaway from the Los Angeles area, told investigators she was locked in a 4-by-2-foot box. Holes had been drilled in the box and water was run through to wash her without letting her out, the complaint said. (AP, July 27)