[symple_heading style=”” title=”By Rob McNelis” type=”h3″ font_size=”” text_align=”left” margin_top=”30″ margin_bottom=”30″ color=”undefined” icon_left=”” icon_right=””]
An injustice is happening in San Diego County, and the person causing the injustice is the county’s top law enforcement officer: Sheriff Bill Gore.
Gore is denying the Second Amendment rights of San Diego County residents who want to carry concealed firearms outside of the home.
The sheriff has set-up secret, undisclosed internal policies that result in denial of application after application from law-abiding, trained county residents who qualify under the state’s requirements for a concealed carry weapon permit. His restrictive policies make it nearly impossible for most trained, law-abiding applicants with good character to obtain a permit.
State law gives clear requirements for those seeking a permit. Applicants are required to pass a criminal background check, complete a state-mandated curriculum on firearms safety and law, pay a fee, and state a reason on the “good cause” portion of the permit application.
Sheriffs and police chiefs throughout California’s 58 counties have unfettered discretion in determining a “good cause” policy when issuing the permits. Most California sheriffs accept “self-defense” or “personal protection” as “good cause.” But not Sheriff Gore.
Gore has been misleading the public and elected officials by saying he is restrained by state law or court decisions. This is false, even after the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision when the justices declined to review an appeal filed by the National Rifle Association and the California Pistol and Rifle Association in the case of Peruta vs. San Diego.
The court left the authority to define California’s requirement of “good cause” in the hands of each issuing county sheriff or chief of police. So there is no law or court case preventing Sheriff Gore from changing his internal policies to allow for “self defense” and “personal protection” to fulfill California’s requirement of “good cause.” Yet, he still refuses.
In July, the Santee City Council voted 5-0 to authorize Mayor John Minto to send an official letter from the council to Gore requesting a change in his internal policy regarding the issuance of concealed carry permits. We asked the sheriff to accept self-defense or personal protection to fulfill California’s requirement of “good cause.”
In addition, we asked him to specifically define the minimum requirements that constitute sufficient “good cause” so that our citizens can review the requirements and immediately determine whether or not they meet the minimum standards. Having totally subjective, vague requirements to obtain a permit is bad government.
Despite serious felonies such as homicide, kidnapping, rape, armed robbery and residential burglary occurring approximately every 9.5 minutes in San Diego County, Gore’s refusal to issue concealed carry permits eliminates residents’ ability to protect their lives and dignity outside the home.
Gore, who is running for re-election, willingly ignores the needs of San Diego County residents who want to defend their lives outside the home. The need to protect oneself is never confined to the perimeters of one’s home. Sheriff Gore’s refusal to issue permits is endangering the safety of every citizen and is making the county less safe. Clearly, he does not take seriously your Second Amendment rights or safety and it is time more elected officials speak out.
Tens of thousands of times per year around the country, armed civilians defend their lives using our most effective tool: a firearm. Homicides are typically about 10 percent higher in states with restrictive concealed carry laws. Crime rates involving permit holders are statistically lower than crime rates of non-permit holders. Deaths and injuries from mass shootings fall dramatically after concealed carry policies are expanded. Law-abiding people in San Diego deserve the ability to protect their lives and their dignity outside the home.
Nothing is preventing Sheriff Gore from changing his policies to accept “self-defense” or “personal protection” as “good cause” — except the sheriff himself.
Rob McNelis is a Santee business owner and serves on the Santee City Council.