Originally posted by buck:
I think that the California gun laws are stupid. Diane Feinstein from SF and the Bay Area has been for years one the leading national anti-gun legislators.
Funny thing is that she has a permit to carry, and did regularly carry, a concealed weapon. She also worked to make sure that getting a concealed-carry permit in California was very difficult. Talk about hypocrisy.
But, back to Aldon. Aldon screwed up by owning guns that were illegal in California. No use in attempting to ignore that.
How do one accidently obtain a gun? Did Aldon buy the guns by accident?
Seriously, if you own a gun or are thinking of purchasing a gun, it is up to you to make sure that the gun is legal--which is to say that it is up to you to make sure that it conforms precisely to each and every minor technical and mechanical specification of the law.
California has two laws that cover the specifics of the Aldon's three rifles. One of the laws in a felony, and the other is a misdemeanor.
The existence of the misdemeanor law provided the judge with the legal basis for lowering the charges.
You are right about the treatment of Aldon was overly harsh.
Charging Aldon with three felonies was unfair and a mistake. The judge made the proper corrections.
The next step is a ruling from the league. Prior to the sentencing I felt that Aldon should receive a minimum suspension.
After the sentencing, I re-examined my view and changed my mind.
Aldon has, in my estimation, paid for his errors in judgment. From what I can see, Aldon has taken, and is taking the steps required to turn his life around.
The 49er stuck with Aldon. The next step is to extend his contract. This should happen sometime before the beginning of the season next year. Locking Aldon up for the rest of his career should be a 49er priority.
Aldon legally purchased the guns in Arizona, and did not know he had to modify them when he brought them to California. It was not deliberately done by him, it was a mistake. No intent to disobey the law, or profit by it in any way, just a mistake. One that others have made, and will likely continue to make.
Wrong, but not felony behavior. Misdemeanor resolution was the right thing from the start, but don't try to tell that to the prosecutor in Aldon's case, or anyone else's case.
