An interesting story is unfolding in Southern California. Here are some of the headlines:
- Feds charge former Pasadena police spokesman with illegally selling more than 100 guns
- Pasadena police officer illegally sold more than 100 guns, some outlawed in California, feds say
- Pasadena police lieutenant indicted on charges of illegally selling around 100 firearms
Read through the first two stories and watch the clip in the third link. Is it unfair to conclude that most people would think, “Rogue cop got caught”?
But don’t be so sure. Listen to Mark Geragos provide a very different version of the story, beginning about 3 minutes into this podcast.
Update: Podcast link fixed!
My gut reaction is that this fellow had some Democrat enemies in high places. This would not be the first time someone got a ride on the political railroad.
Podcast linkee no workee.
Otherwise I too suspect he is not a registered democrat.
30 guns per year?
From a policeman,? There is probably no crime here at all.
From the information provided in the first two articles it very much appears that this cop is facing much more than a simple charge of violating the 10 day waiting period. Its looking like he is using his status as a police officer with its exemptions and privileges to market all kinds of weapons to who the hell knows to. Garigos is spinning like crazy here and we all know that the more publicity the better when it comes to high profile criminal cases in the USA.
I haven’t heard or read anything here that suggests unfair prosecution. Time will tell.
It says police officers are exempt the ten day waiting period, and it says he is a police officer. He can’t violate the ten day waiting period if he isn’t subject to the regulation that imposes a ten day waiting period. When something is regulated to such an extent of petty detail, the assumption that anyone accused of breaking the law is ripe for error. Speaking of “spinning like crazy” when do prosecuting authorities ever say they might be wrong, that the accused might be innocent and it will take a trial to find out? If he’s found guilty his career is over. If he’s found not guilty, his career is over.
The more laws, the less justice.
He falsified ATF paperwork, not the waiting period. Though it looks like he was using his exception to allow others to circumvent it.
I’m of the opinion that those who make the law and those who enforce it should be subject to the most severe penalties if they break it. So, no sympathy for Mr. Gourdikian.
I suspect that he is purchasing surplus Pasadena Police Dept. Firearms at a low price, and reselling them through a legal gun dealer … for a profit. Which is, likely, the ONLY reason he has 60+ guns in his possession. He is using his privilege of waiving the 10-day waiting period granted to police officers in good standing … a “loophole” I suspect is granted officers who may be replacing their own service weapons …
I suspect someone in the Pasadena political structure is angry that THEY aren’t personally profiting like this police lieutenant. That coupled with the “optics” of the ATF “looking” like they are “doing something” (other than burning children in Waco) … and there you have it.
Of course, this is all my reading between the lines and conjecture … so I will wait for the trial, evidence, and verdict … before passing final judgement. If this guy was skirting rules in any way that actually ENDANGERED the public … then I will support the ATF. However, since I don’t believe that guns are “bad things” … so I don’t have a bias in this case. If the TRUTH is that this police lieutenant is simply a middleman making a buck (legally) and that every gun is sold by the gun dealer with all appropriate checks, reviews and waiting periods … then this is illegal harassment under color of authority. This is a show trial/prosecution.
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all you knuckle-dragging, uber-evil gun owners…
the toronto red star… has your number.
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