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Well, the internet is all a buzz over the potential of banning the California gun owner's best friend, the bullet button.  For those of you not familiar, the really short answer is that the bullet allows Californians to own AR15s, AK47s, and various other evil looking weapons by changing the way mags are released from the rifle. 

California gun laws are very poorly written.  The state tried to ban assault weapons back in 2000, and ran into some issues.  First, CA legislators first made a list of assault weapons that were selected by make and model like a Colt AR15.  Then the firearms manufactures changed the models with new names like the "Colt Sporter" and basically worked the same way but were not illegal according to the law.  So the law makers answered back creating a certain criteria that declared a set of features that total up to equal an assault weapon.  For example the picture above shows an AR15 and a Mini 14.  They fire the same caliber, have about the same barrel length, take very similar magazines, and can both equally be fired as fast as you can pull the trigger.  According to the state of CA, the AR15 (the black rifle on top) had "features" that deemed it an assault rifle and the Mini 14 (brown rifle on the bottom) was all good.  Seem strange to you?  The two guns are equally as "dangerous" yet a piece of plastic makes one of them a felony.

As you can see in the video at the top the bullet button made a way to bring the AR15 to Californians.  What you won't see in the news video is that the flood of these LEGAL weapons into California has actually made this state money.  Jobs have been created as gun stores have expanded as well as the birthing of several CA based business that manufacture weapons accessories on CA soil.  Let's also not forgot the millions of dollars generated on tax revenue from CA residents purchasing AR15s and accessories, as well as the cash spent on background checks that the state also makes money on.  I've yet to see a host of criminals using bullet button equipped rifles to go on shooting sprees or rob banks.  It simply isn't happening folks....

The Calguns Foundation is full of intelligent and law abiding citizens who will fight this bill, and it won't become a law.  The state will waste more money chasing this "issue" down which has been prevalent for well over five years.  Rather than focus on fixing the CA economy, jobs, immigration problems, and the myriad of other problems this state faces, it will waste time and money in court trying to literally punish law abiding citizens. 

I'm a huge Adam Carolla fan.  I listen to the podcast daily, and highly recommend you do the same.  Carolla recently did a nice presentation with the Marshall School of Business at USC.  This really is a great presentation, and a fantastic encouragement to go out and pursue your dreams.  There is plenty of humor in this hour long special as well as a bit of Carolla's story from cleaning carpet to making boatloads of cash on his podcast.  See the link below for all the details.  You pretty much give them your email address and they send you a link to download; completely free.  Enjoy a small clip from the lecture and then go download it!

Apr 12, 2012 | Doing a guest lecture at USC business school. by AdamCarolla on Keek.com

A good citizen who resides in Antioch, CA was denied a CCW because he didn't have a "good cause."  In this great state, you must provide a legitimate reason, such as owning a business where you transport a lot of cash or jewelry, or you've been victim of a hate crime.  This fella in Antioch ended up saving his neighbor from a home invasion, and there was a murder that occurred with a stone's throw from his house.  Sounds like a pretty "good cause" if you ask me.  Read his story below courtesy of the Examiner:

My name is Justin Childers and I am a lifelong resident of the City of Antioch, California.  I was born here, raised here, and enjoyed living in this city until recently.  Lately, the level of violent crime in this city has grown exponentially, and has made this city less desirable to my family, friends and myself.

On the morning of April 24, 2012 I was the victim of an attempted home invasion robbery.  I was awoken at 5:15 a.m. to a loud bang, followed by yelling.  Seconds later, I received a phone call from my neighbor upstairs. She was in a panic and she told me that someone broke into the garage, and was trying to get into the house.  I immediately grabbed my flashlight and my handgun, and I ran upstairs wearing nothing but a t-shirt and boxer briefs.  As I reached the top of the stairs, I was met by my neighbor.  She told me that someone was in the garage, and he was still trying to force his way in.  I ran to the window on the side of the garage where I saw the intruder. I shined my light on him and took aim and instructed him to lie down on his stomach. He looked at me, realized that he was in my sights and had nowhere to run, and  he decided to comply.  As he lay down on the ground, I instructed him to put his hands behind his head, and interlock his fingers. Then I told him to cross his legs, and warned him not to move, or I would fire on him.  As he lay there, he began to tell me that he was running from someone who was trying to kill him, and was seeking safety inside.  At this time he started to take his hands off his head to try and plead with me to let him go.  I yelled at him again and said “Put your hands back on your head and don’t move or I will shoot you.” 

He said “O.K., O.K., don’t shoot.”

At this time the Antioch Police arrived and went through the house, and out into the garage.  I kept my weapon trained on him until the suspect was in custody.  After he was placed in handcuffs, I unloaded my weapon, and began speaking with the police outside.  The officers on scene said that my actions were heroic, and that I probably prevented something much worse from happening.  The suspect attempted to convince the police that it was me who had been trying to kill him before breaking in.  The police found a crack pipe in his pocket, and told me that the man had prior offences in Alameda County for similar crimes.

The irony is that on February 2, I finally had enough of the rampant crime that was spreading across my beloved hometown, and applied with the Antioch Police Department for a concealed weapons permit.  A few days later, on February 11, 2012, at 9:14 P.M., two people were shot  424 feet from my front door.  During my CCW interview with Detective Dean Pfeiffer, he informed me that Chief Allan Cantando simply does not issue CCW permits to citizens.  A few weeks later, on March 28, I received a letter of denial from Chief Allan Cantando, pertaining to my application for a Carry Concealed Weapons permit, citing that he believed that I did not demonstrate "good cause". 

I am a law-abiding and tax-paying citizen.  I included with my application a certified report from the court stating that I have no criminal record, and I followed protocol exactly.  I conducted research and went into the CCW process prepared, and cited both valid and legitimate reasons for needing a concealed carry permit, as recognized by the State of California.  I believe that Chief Cantando was prejudicial in my case, and denied my application automatically without review.

The Antioch Police Department is an invaluable asset to this city, and without doubt, does the best job possible with the resources they have available. The bottom line is that the police cannot be everywhere all of the time, and with the out-of-control crime in this city, every law-abiding citizen is faced with no other option that to take personal responsibility for their own safety and that of their loved ones.  As demonstrated in multiple U.S. Supreme Court rulings, the police have no duty to protect any one single individual, only the public in general.  I have been preparing for this exact scenario for years, and I possess the tools, training, and mental focus necessary to control the situation without the need to fire on the suspect unless faced with no other option.  Mine is a prime example of the reason why Antioch Chief of Police, Allan Cantando, needs to re-evaluate his policy of rejecting every application for concealed weapons permits that comes across his desk, and issue these permits if the applicants applying qualify as common, law-abiding citizens.

One might wonder whether or not Chief Cantando has a plan for protecting my family when the suspect who forced his way into my house is release on bail and possibly returns looking to retaliate.  He knows what I look like and where I live.  In Chief Cantando’s world, he leaves no way for me to defend myself outside of my home.

I urge the citizens of Antioch to petition the Chief of Police to change his policy before they end up becoming victims of the escalating level of violent crime in this city.    

h/t JTT