FILE - In this March 15, 2020 file photo people wait in a line to enter a gun store in Culver City, Calif. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, overturned two California counties orders shutting down gun and ammunition stores in 2020 as nonessential businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File)
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Gun control laws are
already on the books
Responding to another gun control screed from George Skelton of the Los Angeles Times, his assertion “(other states’) residents can bring weapons into California that are illegal to sell here” is true only for the so-called “off roster handguns” that are otherwise legal to own here. If the firearm is illegal to possess in California, the applicable permits must be obtained before bringing them into California.
Another of his assertions, “we can shop across the border,” is not true, because it is illegal under both federal (18 USC §922) and California law (PC27585) unless the out-of-state dealer ships the firearm to a California FFL dealer, which makes the transaction no different than an ordinary in-state transaction since the 10-day wait and Department of Justice background checks apply.
Skelton should rejoice. There are laws already on the books covering his concerns.
David Desiderio
Alameda
Limiting concealed carry
is a knee-jerk reaction
The governor and legislators are again proposing to limit gun violence by making it more difficult for a citizen to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon. Their attempt is a knee-jerk reaction to the recent tragedies in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, but their logic is flawed. It hasn’t been reported that either shooter had permits, so there is no link between this violence and CCW permits.
The process for obtaining a permit is rigorous: valid identification; proof of residency; two character reference letters; LiveScan of prints sent to the FBI; eight hours of classroom training on the legal requirements of permit holders; and eight hours of firearm training. It’s not an easy process, and it’s expensive.
One must be committed to seeking approval to carry a concealed firearm. And lastly, one wonders how many would have died recently, had one person there had a CCW.
Phil Scordelis
Concord
Kudos to school for
racial slur apology
Re. “San Ramon Valley apologizes for racial slur aimed at Dublin basketball player,” Jan. 25:
I would like to applaud San Ramon Valley’s Principal Whitney Cottrell and her administration for writing a very cogent email and response to the unsportsmanlike conduct displayed at the boys’ basketball game against Dublin High. I also applaud the father of the offended player for bringing it to the Bay Area News Group so that the incident and actions could be seen by the entire community who are involved in athletics at all levels.
As a long-time coach and high school athletic director in San Jose, member of the Blossom Valley League’s Honor the Game program and Central Coast Section’s Sportsmanship Committee, I know that it takes a village to embrace, teach and preserve the principles of respect and sportsmanship, but it is well worth the effort.
Barbara Uchiyama
San Jose
Police training missing
social/emotional element
In light of the recent coverage of Tyre Nichols’ beating and subsequent death, I heard a news interview with a retired police officer. He said there is a missing element in police training that is not being addressed. He referred to it as the “social/emotional” factor.
Since my background is in human development, I am familiar with what is known as the social/emotional or psychosocial domain of development. Throughout our youngest years and into adulthood, our social/emotional growth is crucial to the success of our interactions. It encompasses everything from making friends to adjusting our temperaments for self-control.
Further, those knowledgeable on topics of implicit bias, structural racism and de-escalation, have informed us that the training, supervision and culture of police departments across our nation need to change.
Add to that “social/emotional” education and we might just be able to turn around this toxic culture.
Sharon Brown
Retired Child Development Educator
Walnut Creek
Dress codes meant
to promote learning
Re. “Why are schools still using dress codes to discriminate against girls?” Page A7, Jan. 31:
In case you haven’t noticed there’s a difference between boys and girls, and that’s not a bad thing. Boys are visual beings who become easily distracted by what girls are wearing, or not wearing; not so with girls. They can make a choice to dress inappropriately, but don’t complain about unwanted advances by boys. That’s what boys do. I’m always appalled by parents who let their daughters wear some of the outfits I’ve seen.
“The emphasis on girls’ outfits is harming the learning environment”? Say what? To me, what’s harming the learning environment are the distractions that tank tops, short shorts, low-cut tops, etc., present to adolescent boys.
School is for education and should be taken seriously and respectfully. That can’t happen without a proper dress code.
Kim Crow
Danville