A Shooting in Santa Monica

6/8/2013

Yesterday was a frightening, tragic day here in Santa Monica, California. A disturbed individual began shooting at relatives and then went on to shoot at students and others at nearby Santa Monica College, just down the street from where we live. A fire also broke out at the house with the original shooting victims. When it was all over, five people were killed, including the shooter, and many others injured.

My deepest condolences to the victims and families of yesterday's violence. So very upsetting. We are all fine and things are quieting down now, but something has to be done to stop this type of random violence. More effective gun control, combined with more mental health services available for anyone seeking it would certainly help.

Tony Villani

6/8/2013 03:47:26 am

What happened is sadly a reflection of some of the pressing problems we have, showing a huge need for gun control, mental illness treatment and facilities, and dealing with media violence overload. Shooting rampages are becoming more common than they have ever been, almost a fact of life. It is unacceptable!

Tony Villani

6/15/2013 07:49:30 pm

shocking proof of how loopholes and ambiguities don't help

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-santa-monica-shooting-gun-laws-20130614,0,4864592.story

quoting:"Police said the parts needed to assemble a working rifle, including magazines of ammunition, were shipped in from out of state.

Federal law allows people to purchase a receiver that is 80% or less complete and manufacture it into a firearm for personal use. No California state law requires such a gun, once completed, to be registered.

But California does outlaw the commerce of AR-15 weapons that have certain features, including a detachable magazine. Other features include folding telescopic or detachable stocks or a threaded barrel.

Purchase, sale and transfer of high-capacity magazines is illegal, but currently possession of the items is not.

"In this particular case, the weapon that he ended up with ultimately is one that, by definition, would be illegal to possess here in the state of California," [SM Police Chief] Seabrooks said Thursday.

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