(March 24, 2013) -- I am still having a great deal of trouble with the stance of those in Congress on the issue of Senator Diane Feinstein’s legislation dealing with assault weapons and gun registration. In spite of the fact that huge numbers of Americans, even NRA members themselves, believe that background checks are proper and necessary the NRA and its lobbyists continue to stifle any and all legislation dealing with anything to do with guns.

I used to be an NRA Member as was my father. I learned gun safety from them at their training classes which was how I was able to secure my first hunting license here in the State of California. I believe in the Second Amendment of our Constitution and yes I would fight to keep that right. What I do not believe in is allowing anyone to own weapons regardless of their state of mind or their criminal background. I also do not believe that assault weapons were ever developed with the average citizen in mind and that neither were clips and magazines that allow these guns to have high capacity capabilities.

Poll after poll in this country also agrees with what I have stated and even among the very conservative membership of the NRA itself a majority of their members feels the same way on these issues. Yet, the NRA continues to effectively kill any and all legislation that would have any impact whatsoever on these issues. Of course let’s not forget that the NRA can do nothing without the consent of those in congress who concede to every wish of the NRA.

As a working law enforcement officer in this county I have found myself at the receiving end of an assault rifle and needless to say it was no fun. Law enforcement personnel used to carry revolvers, limiting them six rounds before they had to re-load. Then we went to semi-automatics, which allowed us to have up to sixteen rounds available prior to re-loading. Carrying anything on our person larger than a semi-automatic pistol with a 15 or 16 round magazine would be very impractical. When criminals or mentally ill people can legally purchase a semi-automatic hand gun or rifle and attach to it a clip or magazine that can hold up to 100 rounds it is not a fair fight for anyone, and that certainly includes law enforcement.

I don't know where this current battle in Congress will end but as long as the NRA continues to be a bigger part of the problem with respect to this issue than they are the solution I will never renew my membership again. I have said it before and I will say it again: Assault weapons and high capacity magazines were developed and designed for the military and in some instances law enforcement and these are the only people who should have legal access to them.

Well just when you thought that the Transportation Security Agency was beginning to learn how to more effectively handle the security situation at our nation's airports they come up with a revised policy that would allow knives and cutting devices back on airplanes. This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever as I seem to remember that four airplanes were hi-jacked using box cutters not too many years ago. Of course if you use the logic of the NRA on this issue maybe we should just issue box cutters or short bladed knives to every single person who gets on an aircraft. This way when the war aboard the aircraft starts then everyone will have an equal fighting chance.

Count me among those who fail to understand the events of last week when the city choose to cut down the trees along Atherton between Bellflower Blvd. and Palo Verde Avenue. To spend the money that was spent to do this is kind of mind boggling without even considering the impact on the environment which has to be negative in the long run. In a city that prides itself on the number of mature trees that it has allowing this many trees to be cut down seems contradictory in so many ways. Amazing, just plain amazing!