Some recent scary moments have put a spotlight on weapons charges and weapon penalties in Los Angeles. In Westwood last week, a 52-year-old man was held without bail on suspicion of shooting at a traffic light and having more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition in his van and a storage locker, UCLA police said Monday.
The weapons which authorities said the man was carrying were five loaded semiautomatic pistols equipped with laser sights. In all, UCLA police said, they recovered 400 rounds from him. They believe he hit the traffic light once and a nearby building once. Authorities said an additional 7,800 rounds were found in the man's van and 3,000 rounds were recovered from his storage locker.
Another violent incident involving a deadly weapon, this time in Malibu, also caused a stir. Sheriff's deputies are investigating the fatal shooting of a man in Malibu. Los Angeles County deputies found the victim in the 3600 block of Noranda Lane near Encinal Canyon Road when they responded to reports of a shooting. The victim was described as an adult white male. This particular area of Malibu boasts home prices of $10 million and above.
Once a person is charged with a weapon crime, s/he faces severe legal consequences if convicted. People convicted of weapons charges can be punished with jail time, fines, probation, and community service. Aside from the legal ramifications involved, convicted weapon offenders will have negative, permanent marks on their criminal records. By having a damaged criminal record, convicted offenders will have a harder time obtaining housing, employment, and education opportunities.
