CCW Application Procedure for Calaveras County

CCW Application Procedure 

For Residents of the Unincorporated Areas of Calaveras County

The authority to carry a concealed weapon (CCW) is set forth in California Penal Code Sections 26150 through 26225. These sections state in part:

PC 26150 The Sheriff of a County, upon proof that the person applying is of good moral character, that good cause exists for the issuance, and that the person applying is a resident of the County, may issue that person a license to carry a pistol, revolver, or other firearm capable of being concealed upon the person.

Per Sheriff Gary Kuntz: "It is the policy of the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Department to review each application for a license to carry a concealed weapon. There is no state law which ENTITLES a person to be issued a license to carry a concealed weapon.”

Under the Penal Code, the Sheriff of the County has the authority to issue a State of California permit to carry a concealed weapon. However, if you reside within an incorporated area in Calaveras County, your application for a CCW should be made with the highest ranking law enforcement official that has jurisdiction over your place of residence.

In recent years, there have been several Court decisions that have made the Sheriff vicariously liable in civil cases where the holder of a concealed weapons permit used a weapon when not appropriately trained, or used it in an unlawful or unreasonable manner. Some law enforcement agencies have virtually stopped issuing CCWs. I do not intend on ceases to issue such permits.

“My policy regarding CCW permittees and alcohol/drug use is zero tolerance. Use of a controlled or illegal substance while in possession of a concealed weapon permit nullifies and voids the permit.”

Who Does Not Need a CCW?

A citizen does not need a CCW in the following situations:

1. To possess a loaded firearm in one’s residence, personal property or place of business.
2. To carry an unloaded weapon going to or returning from a shooting range, hunting, or sporting event involving firearms, provided it is in a locked container other than a glove compartment or utility box.
3. To possess or carry an unloaded rifle or shotgun.

Concealed Weapons License (CCW) 

The Sheriff may issue a CCW under the following conditions: 

1. The applicant is a full-time permanent resident of Calaveras County.
2. The applicant is of good moral character.
3. The applicant has good cause for carrying a concealed weapon.
4. The applicant has completed the required CCW training certification course.

Departmental Restrictions on Issuance of a CCW 

An applicant will be refused a CCW under the following circumstances:
1. The applicant is not a full-time permanent resident of Calaveras County. (There are some exceptions for employees of the County)
2. The applicant is the subject of a restraining order issued by any court.
3. Conviction of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs/Alcohol within the past five (5) years.
4. Conviction of a felony.
5. Conviction of a misdemeanor offense which renders one unlawful to possess a firearm under PC 12021, as follows:

PC 136.5      PC 241         PC 246.3     PC 12034b      PC 140         PC 243    
PC 247         PC 12034d   PC171b       PC 244.5         PC 417         PC 12100a
PC171c        PC 245         PC 427.2     PC 12320a       PC 171d       PC 245.5     PC 626.9      PC 12590

6. Convicted of PC 148 (resisting or interfering with a peace officer); or PC 242 (battery); within the past five (5) years.
7. Conviction of a drug offense under the Health & Safety Code within the past five (5) years.
8. Other cause to question residency, good cause for carrying a concealed weapon or suitability for carrying a concealed weapon.
9. A CCW will not be issued for any employment related purposes.

CCW License Initial Request: 

Any omissions or false information given on the application is immediate cause for rejection of the application.

CCW Application Guidelines: 

Applicant must be a current resident of Calaveras County and must be able to prove full-time permanent residency. Applicant must be a minimum of 25 years of age.

At the time of the application, the applicant must present to the Sheriff’s Department the following documentation: 

• Valid California driver’s license
• Proof of Residency
• Non-refundable Application fee of $ 20.00 (PC 26190(b)(2)) 

**The Sheriff’s Department will not accept incomplete applications**

The application will be submitted to the Sheriff for review. If the Sheriff determines that good cause for issuance exists, the applicant will receive written notification to proceed with the required firearms training. (PC 26202)

If the Sheriff determines that good cause for issuance does not exist, the applicant will be given written notification of that determination. (PC 26202)

The applicant will be required to complete a Firearms Certification Course (8 to 16 hours) and provide proof of completion within 60 days of the Sheriff’s good cause notification.

Please contact the CCW Liaison to schedule an appointment for the inspection of the firearm(s) and applicant fingerprinting.

• Non-refundable DOJ fee of $93.00 due and payable (PC 26190(a)(1)) 

Please allow up to 45 minutes for this appointment. The weapons to be listed on the CCW (maximum of two) must be brought to the Sheriff’s Office unloaded.

Please allow up to 8-10 weeks for the clearance from the State Department of Justice.

If/when clearance is received from the DOJ; the applicant will be assigned a CII number. At this time, the applicant’s history is also received from the FBI and DMV.

The firearms are then researched to verify ownership and status. Upon completion of the applicant’s background check, the file will be forwarded to the Sheriff for final review.

If approved, the applicant will be contacted to take possession of the issued permit.

• Final payment of $ 80.00 due and payable (PC 26190(b)(2)) 

If, for any reason, the applicant is denied, the applicant will be notified by mail within thirty (30) days from the time the Sheriff’s Department received the DOJ data. The reason for the denial shall be stated.

The above procedures may be subject to change as this office is notified of new mandates/procedures/changes in fees, etc., from the State Department of Justice.

CCW License Renewal Procedures: 

The standard CCW is valid for two (2) years. Permit holders should not allow the permit to expire before applying for renewal. The renewal process can be initiated up to eight (8) weeks prior to the expiration date. Applicants must apply for renewal in person and present proof of completion of a 4-Hour Firearms Course as required.

• Non-refundable fee of $ 77.00 due and payable (PC 26190(c)) 

All applicants are responsible for notifying the Sheriff’s Office of any changes on the CCW permit at time of renewal; including changes of address (physical or mailing), employment, weapons, etc.

All information will then be reprocessed as before, with the new dates as well as any changes entered into the system. Again, the applicant’s driver’s license record will be checked; and this updated information given to the Sheriff for his approval.

Applicants should allow approximately four (4) weeks for renewal of the CCW. When approved, the CCW will be mailed to the applicant.

If, for any reason, the applicant is denied renewal, the applicant will be notified by mail within thirty (30) days, and the reason for the denial will be stated.

Transfer of CCW from One County to Another: 

A person holding a valid CCW who moves into Calaveras County must comply with all provisions as indicated in Section II (CCW Application Guidelines). A person holding a valid CCW who moves out of Calaveras County must notify this office and surrender such permit immediately.

CCW Amendments/Modifications 

Amendments/modifications to a CCW must be done in person. These include changes of address or other information, adding and/or deleting a firearm to an existing CCW.

If changes are made prior to the time of renewal; Form BCIA 4502 must be completed and the new or changed information input into the system.

The CCW Coordinator must type the changes on the CCW holder’s original (white) copy of the CCW, as well as the file copy.

The original Form BCIA 4502 is sent to the Department of Justice, and a copy is placed in the holder’s CCW file.

A fee of $10 will be payable at the time of modification for changes prior to renewal. (PC 26190(e)(1))

If changes are made at the time of renewal, the CCW Coordinator will note the changes on the CCW and in the CCW holder’s file.

No modification fee is payable if changes are made at the time of renewal. Waiver of Requirements

No member of the Sheriff’s Department staff, other than the Sheriff, may waive any of the above-listed requirements.

The Sheriff has the discretion to revoke or suspend a Concealed Weapons License (CCW) at any time.

(rev. 3/2012)

Editor's Note: 

The above has not been edited at all and was copied from the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department website. The above CCW Application Procedure applies to Calaveras County, California.

Calaveras County in red

I did contact the Calaveras County Sheriff's Department and found out that all is still in effect with one correction. Where it states "Applicant must be a minimum of 25 years of age" is no longer correct. Applicants now must be a minimum of 21 years of age.

Calaveras County, the county which my wife and I live in, has a population of about 46,000 residents. With over 1,000 square miles in size, we live in remote areas and have to provide our own security.

Yes, this is rural America and residents here who take the CCW courses are trained and have a sense of comfort knowing that they are better able to protect themselves and their families until deputies arrive.

To find out the CCW Allication Procedure in your county, search their website or contact your Sheriff's Department.

Good luck!
Tom Correa  

To Pee Or Not To Pee ...

That Is The Question!

By Terry McGahey

Associate Writer/Historian

Well folks our illustrious so-called president has hit a new low in morality that I did not even dream he would stoop too. Of course by now we all know I am referring to his transgender bathroom policy which he hasn't even defined.

It's this person's opinion that there is a very simple solution to this red herring, if you have a male component you use the men's room and if you have the female components you use the women's bathroom, it's just that simple.

A true transgender, no matter if originally a man or a woman, actually now has the components of the opposite sex they were born with, and until such time the operation is complete they should use the bathroom of their original birth sex, simple as that.

I personally believe that this non issue has been put fourth as a magicians slight of hand trick. If you don't want people to see what's really going on you bring full attention to one hand while the other has manipulated a ruse, and I believe this is exactly what Obama is doing.

Get the people up in arms about the transgender issue about where they can pee, while all the time using the slight of hand to bring in the Syrian Muslims, or so called refugees, which will do nothing but promote more violence in order to push his Muslim agenda, which by now, if you can't see what his religious preference is by his Islamic cabinet appointees and his obvious Muslim loving tendencies, while at the same time not standing up for Christianity, then you really are asleep and need to wake up.

The president of the United States of America does not have the legal right to write or carry out a law, only congress can do so. By ordering school districts across our country to adhear to this insane policy or loose their federal funding, it is nothing short of blackmail, which in reality would become law for many school districts which fully rely on the very funding Obama is blackmailing them with.

Yes, it would become an unwritten law, but a law just the same through force of non-funding which many school districts could not survive without. I don't know about you but if I remember correctly blackmail is illegal in this country, but the term "illegal" doesn't seem to be an issue with this so called president, not when it comes to executive orders or illegal invaders from Syria and or Mexico.

The so-called Washington D.C. elite, no matter the party, have forgotten that they are hired by the people to "govern", not to "rule". Many of these Socialist leaning politicians actually believe that it is their duty and destiny to "rule" this country and our people rather than "govern" by our constitution which is actually the job they are paid to do. And in my opinion, this makes them nothing more than traitors to their oath and to the people of the United States of America and they should be at the very least imprisoned for their treasonous acts.

I find it sad that many of our elected politicians, as well as this mentally disturbed so-called president, have reached down so deeply into the bowels of immorality that we now have to allow the possibility of some sicko entering a women's bathroom with the intent of committing harm or voyeurism upon our mothers, sisters, wives, or children. And believe me these things will happen, in fact some of this has already taken place.

Where to pee or not to pee, that is the question? Pee in the restroom where you have the correct parts to do so, period!

While I have no idea how you see it, that's how I see things.

My Reasons For Supporting Donald Trump

I recently received three very interesting emails from Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton supporters in Europe. The one from the Bernie Sanders supporter demands my shortest response.

She writes, "Socialism and Communism is good for America. You should educate yourself, stop your hate of Communism, feel the "Bern"and embrace Bernie Sanders."

My response, "No, he is a Communist and because of that he is not compatible to what our system of government is based on. Even by threat of death, I will never vote for a Communist, or a Socialist which is nothing but a wannabe Communist. I'm sorry for you if you're really that happy living as a slave to the state!"

The other two emails have to do with Hillary Clinton. The first one is from a man in Germany who writes, "Wait until the debates between Hillary and Trump! She will put Trump in his place when she asks him why is it that he was OK with donating to her previously? What can he say to that?!"

I wrote what I'd like to see Donald Trump reply. I'd like to hear him say, "I donated to your (Hillary New York Senate) campaign because you're crooked and you, Hillary, can be bought! You're so unethical you don't even care who you screw over for a buck! While I doubt that I'd ever need an unethical person as you, Hillary, it's nice to have a crooked politician in one's pocket. If for any reason for entertainment just to see how low you'll stoop for a dollar."

A woman in England wrote to ask, "Why do you support Donald Trump when he is just like Adolph Hitler?"

Now this one had me a little pissed since this is absolute bullshit! In response I wrote her saying.

"First, let's talk about the Hitler thing. I believe that comparing Donald Trump to Adolph Hitler is not right on many levels. But basically, for those out there who are saying such nasty things, please understand that Hitler was a genocidal murderer, an anti-Semite, a psychopath, a maniac. a dictator who used his power to enslave the Germany people, and plunge his nation into a devastating world war. Hitler used his Secret Police to terrorize his own people.

He pushing an ideology of hate, dismissed the law of land for himself, had an enemies list, confiscated guns so that citizens would be defenseless against his henchmen. He controlled the media, he persecuted certain groups such as Christians and Jews. and if people did not agree with his edicts -- then he used the power of his government to attack them, jail them, confiscate their property and even kill them. All of what he did as a leader was meant to control and intimidate his people. Doesn't this sound like Barack Hussein Obama?  

While Donald Trump has done none of the above and has absolutely nothing in common with Adolph Hitler, President Barack Obama is just like Hitler.

Barack Obama is a traitor, a psychopathic liar, an anti-Semite, a Muslim who is pushing an ideology of hate. He is a fraud. He is a man who hates America so much that he wants to change our country. He is a man who has let Americans needlessly die in Libya.

And yes, Obama is a wannabe dictator who wants to "rule" through Executive Orders, edicts, instead of "govern" through the use of the legislative process. He is the only President who has ever used the power of the government to attack Americans, to use intimidation and threats, jailed them, confiscated their property and even kill them as in the case of what took place in Oregon lately on orders from the White House. All of what he does as a leader was meant to divide along racial and economic lines, intimidate and control our people.

So please, please, before you make a stupid statement such as comparing Donald Trump with Adolph Hitler, please realize how truly wrong that is."

Read on, and ask yourself if Donald Trump sounds more like Theodore Roosevelt versus the Liberal Media's smear that he's like Adolph Hitler?

As for safeguarding our homeland by securing our borders so that we don't turn into another Europe with the chaos that's taking place there, Donald Trump says, "A nation without borders is not a nation. There must be a wall across the southern border (no different than Mexico has on it's southern border). A nation that does not serve its own citizens is not a nation. Any immigration plan must improve jobs, wages and security for all Americans."

What's wrong with that? Nothing!

On the Second Amendment and a citizen's right to arm his and her self, Donald Trump who himself has a Concealed Carry Permit says, "The Second Amendment to our Constitution is clear. The right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed upon. Period. The Second Amendment guarantees a fundamental right that belongs to all law-abiding Americans. The Constitution doesn’t create that right -- it ensures that the government can’t take it away."

What's wrong with that? Nothing!

As for enforcing the law to everyone equally, no matter what race, color, greed, sex, religion, or economic class one happens to be, Donald Trump says, "A nation without laws is not a nation. Laws passed in accordance with our Constitutional system of government must be enforced with no one above the law."

What's wrong with that? Nothing!

As far as repealing ObamaCare, Donald Trump says, "ObamaCare needs to be repealed so that free market principles and American working together can create sound public policy that will broaden healthcare access, make healthcare more affordable and improve the quality of the care available to all Americans."

What's wrong with that? Nothing!

Donald Trump has a tax plan with four simple goals:

1. Tax relief for middle class Americans: In order to achieve the American dream, let people keep more money in their pockets and increase after-tax wages.
2. Simplify the tax code to reduce the headaches Americans face in preparing their taxes and let everyone keep more of their money.
3. Grow the American economy by discouraging corporate inversions, adding a huge number of new jobs, and making America globally competitive again.
4. Doesn’t add to our debt and deficit, which are already too large.

What's wrong with that? Nothing!

Donald Trump Veterans Care Plan:

1. Ensure our veterans get the care they need wherever and whenever they need it. No more long drives. No more waiting for backlogs. No more excessive red tape. Just the care and support they earned with their service to our country.
2. Support the whole veteran, not just their physical health care, but also by addressing their invisible wounds, investing in our service members’ post-active duty success, transforming the VA to meet the needs of 21st century service members, and better meeting the needs of our female veterans.
3. Make the VA great again by firing the corrupt and incompetent VA executives who let our veterans down, by modernizing the VA, and by empowering the doctors and nurses to ensure our veterans receive the best care available in a timely manner.

What's wrong with that? Nothing! 

Donald Trump's Trade Plan:

1. Bring China to the bargaining table by immediately declaring it a currency manipulator.
2. Protect American ingenuity and investment by forcing China to uphold intellectual property laws and stop their unfair and unlawful practice of forcing U.S. companies to share proprietary technology with Chinese competitors as a condition of entry to China’s market.
3. Reclaim millions of American jobs and reviving American manufacturing by putting an end to China’s illegal export subsidies and lax labor and environmental standards. No more sweatshops or pollution havens stealing jobs from American workers.
4. Strengthen our negotiating position by lowering our corporate tax rate to keep American companies and jobs here at home, attacking our debt and deficit so China cannot use financial blackmail against us, and bolstering the U.S. military presence in the East and South China Seas to discourage Chinese adventurism.

What's wrong with that? Nothing! Get the picture yet? Yes, more like a Theodore Roosevelt America First Conservative!

By the way, what he is saying goes along with what Americans want. That is so plain and simple that even Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders supporters can understand and like -- especially since neither Clinton or Sanders have any sort of detailed plans on how to help America. Both Clinton and Sanders want to help the rest of the world first and screw Americans!

Donald Trump taps into the discontent that more and more Americans are feeling these days. Our discontent has everything to do with how I described Obama and the dictatorial actions he has taken, as well as how the Federal Government has been acting more like a slave master instead of a servant of the people.

And frankly, the tremendous crowds of supporters for Donald Trump and the hate that he has gotten from the political establishments of both the Democrats and the Republicans does not surprise me. Trump supporters are Americans who have reached a tipping point in regards to electing career politicians who are worthless as teats on a boar hog!

We want our America back! And yes, the political establishments of both the Democrats and the Republicans are frightened because they are both crooked and there is a new sheriff in town!  

Both the Democrats and the Republicans are attacking Trump with everything they have but now they're finding out just how strong his support is since their crooked careers may be at an end.

A lot of people write me expressing their frustration with an inept, corrupt, bias, self-absorbed Obama who attacks Christians and supports and arms ISIS. My readers write worried that wishy-washy Liberal policies will turn America into Europe. And frankly, lately they have lost a great deal of faith in Republicans who are proving to be just as Liberal as Democrats. 

Donald Trump has promised us that he will not except Muslim refugees because of the threat they represent. Yes, that is what Europeans should have not done. Instead a number of European nations have simply surrendered it's countries to Muslim invaders who want to change those countries once they're in. 

So yes, there are a lot of very good reasons why many of us are supporting Donald Trump. But mostly, whether some like it or not, it's because he says that he is willing to do the unpopular things that need to get done for the good of our country. So imagine that for a moment, we have someone running for office who is not a career politician and wants to do good for America. 

We Americans need a fighter who will fight for what's right and not for what's Politically Correct as with what's taking place in Washington and Europe these days. We need positive change, and certainly not simply more of the same which the Democrat Left and Liberal Republicans have given us.

And yes, that's the way I see it.

Tom Correa

Ed Masterson vs Bob Shaw, 1877

My article The Killing of Ed Masterson, 1878 was a big hit. Now a few of you have written asking for more information on Ed Masterson's shootout with Bob Shaw.

From what I can determine, Ed Masterson was without a doubt a fearless lawman. He was seen by people who knew him as an honorable and decent man, as well as an important man in his community.

Below is are newspaper accounts of the Dodge City gunfight between Ed Masterson and Bob Shaw.

Dodge City Times (10th November, 1877)

Last Monday afternoon one of those little episodes which serve to vary the monotony of frontier existence occurred at the Lone Star dance hall, during which four men came out some the worse for wear; but none, with one exception, being seriously hurt.

Bob Shaw, the man who started the amusement, accused Texas Dick alias Moore of having robbed him of forty dollars, and when the two met in the Lone Star the ball was opened.

Somebody, foreseeing possible trouble, and probable gore, started out in search of Assistant City Marshal Ed. Masterson, and finding him hurried the officer to the scene of the impending conflict.

When Masterson entered the door he descried Shaw by the bar with a huge pistol in his hand and a hogshead of blood in his eye, ready to relieve Texas Dick of his existence in this world and send him to those shades where troubles come not and six shooters are not known.

Not wishing to hurt Shaw, but anxious to quiet matters and quell the disturbance officer Masterson first ordered him to give up his gun. Shaw refused to deliver and told Masterson to keep away from him, and after saying this he again proceeded to try to kill Texas Dick. Officer Masterson then gently tapped the belligerent Shaw upon the back of the head with the butt of his shooting iron, merely to convince him of the vanities of this frail world and to teach him that all isn't lovely even when the goose does hang antitudilum. The aforesaid reminder upon the back of the head, however failed to have the desired effect, and instead of dropping, as any man of fine sensibilities would have done, Shaw turned his battery upon the officer and let him have it in the right breast, the ball striking a rib and passing around came out under the right shoulder blade, paralyzing his right arm so that it was useless, so far as handling a pistol was concerned. Masterson fell but grasping his pistol in his left had he returned the fire giving it to Shaw in the left arm and the left leg, rendering him hors du combat.

During the melee Texas Dick was shot in the right groin, making a painful and dangerous though not necessarily a fatal wound, while Frank Buskirk who, impelled by a curiosity he could not control, was looking in at the door upon the matinee, received a reminiscence in the left arm, which had the effect of starting him out to hunt a surgeon. Nobody was killed, but for a time it looked as though the undertaker and the coroner would have something to do. The nerve and pluck displayed by officer Masterson reflects credit both upon himself and the city, which has reason to congratulate itself upon the fact that it has a guardian who shirks no responsibility and who hesitates not to place himself in danger when duty requires.

Dodge City Times (8th December, 1877)

City Marshal Edward Masterson receives the congratulations of his many friends without a show of exhalation. Notwithstanding the fact that considerable feeling was manifested against the removal of Mr. Deger, no one accuses Mr. Masterson of seeking the position. In fact he preferred to retain his old position as Assistant, which gave him the same salary and engendered less responsibilities. As an officer his reputation is made, and it is a good one.

Dodge City Times (30th March, 1878)

City Marshal Masterson contemplates organizing a tramp brigade for the purpose of clearing the streets and alleys of the filth and rubbish that has been accumulating for a year or so. There are about thirty tramps now sojourning among us, all of whom have no visible means of support and are liable to arrest under the vagrant act.

Ford County Globe (10th April, 1878)

At ten o'clock last night. City Marshal Edward Masterson, discovered that a cowboy who was working for Obum of Kansas City, named Jack Wagner, was carrying a six-shooter contrary to the City Ordinance. Wagner was at the time under the influence of liquor, but quietly gave up the pistol. The Marshal gave it to some of Wagner's friends for safe keeping and stepped out into the street. No sooner had he done so than Wagner ran out after him pulling another pistol, which the Marshal had not observed. The Marshal saw him coming and turned upon Wagner and grabbed hold of him.

Wagner shot Marshal Masterson at once through the abdomen, being so close to him that the discharge set the Marshal's clothes on fire. Marshal Masterson then shot Wagner.

About this time a man named Walker got mixed up in the fight. He, it appears, was boss herder for Obum, and Wagner was working under him. He also got shot once through the left lung, and his right arm was twice broken.

Marshal Masterson walked across the street to George M. Hoover's saloon, where after telling that he was shot, he sank to the floor. He was immediately removed to his room, where in half an hour he expired.

Walker and Wagner were nearly all night insensible, and none thought that either of them could live through the night. However, morning has come and neither are dead; both are in a very precarious condition and their chances for recovery very small.

The city is in mourning; every door is draped with crape; business is entirely suspended till after the funeral of Marshal Masterson, which will take place at two o'clock p. m., and will be attended by everybody in the city.

Marshal Masterson will be buried in the Military Cemetery, at Fort Dodge.

Dodge City Times (13th April, 1878)

Died. In this city, on Tuesday, April 9th, in the 26th year of his age, Edward J. Masterson, City Marshal.

The subject of this sketch was born in Henryville, Canada East, on September 22d, 1852, and removed to Wichita, Kansas with his parents in 1869, where he continued to reside until attaining his majority when he left his home and became one of the first inhabitants of this city.

In June 5, 1877 he accepted the appointment of Assistant Marshal, and in the December, 1877, having displayed marked adaptability for the position, he was promoted to the Marshalship, in the discharge of the duties of which he continued until his unfortunate death.

Possessed of a geniality of temperament, a kindness of heart and a richness of personal bravery, he had many warm friends and admirers.

As an officer he followed the dictation of duty, striving at all times for its honest and complete discharge and gaming for himself the dignity and respect that of necessity followed from his determined intrepidity.

He died in the service he performed so well, and has added one other to the list of those who, living, were so many representatives, each of his day and generation, but who dead, belong to all time, and whose voices ring down the ages in solemn protest against the reign of violence and blood.

-- end of articles.

For me, it sounds as though a lot took place in a very short span of time. And luckily, Ed Masterson was not killed.

Tom Correa

"Days of '49" Wagon Train Parade

Living history exhibits are extremely important when trying to teach others about days gone by. That is true today since a lot of young people see history as boring and not interesting.

Events like the Kit Carson Mountain Men "Days of '49" Wagon Train shows the public just how "The 49ers" traveled from the East over the Great Plains to California.

The "Days of '49" is the perfect living history classroom because people are taken in by the wonder of the covered wagons, the assorted breeds of horses, the mules, the teamsters, the cowboy and cowgirl reenactors, and the beauty of the parade. The entire presentation teaches how life was during the great Western migration from Missouri to Oregon and California from the 1830's to 1869.

The Amador County annual event, the colorful Kit Carson Mountain Men "Days of '49 Wagon Train" re-enactment through the California Gold Country was held last weekend April 28th to May 1st.

The authentic wagon train of a dozen horse-drawn covered wagons followed California's "Golden Highway," more commonly known as Highway 49, on a 3 day journey. They started at an encampment at the Amador County Fairgrounds in Plymouth, and headed south through Drytown, Amador City, Sutter Creek, and into Jackson. All as a celebration of California’s pioneer heritage.

Of course, the public was encouraged to join in on the fun and visit with the teamsters, the cowboys and cowgirls, and the other reenactors at the various stops along the way.

While it started last Thursday when Highway 49 became a wagon train trail, Saturday the wagon train was camped at the Kennedy Mine. All of the wagon train reenactors and the public were welcome to enjoy a barbecue dinner and a Gold Rush variety show on the Kennedy Mine Amphitheatre outdoor stage.

The great food was catered by the wonderful folks of the Laughton Ranch. The music was great and everyone enjoyed the entertainment, the horses, the vintage wagons, and of course those who were making the effort to keep Old West history alive.

While my wife and I sat eating, we struck up a conversation with another couple sitting near us. Come to find out, they owned one of the covered wagons. Well, soon enough, we started talking history of the wagon trains and their love of the history of that era. 

Yes, Dennis and Antonia Amaral have been involved in wagon trains, the horses needed to pull them, the equipment, tack, and all other aspects of what's needed for wagons for a little over 8 years. And yes, I enjoyed hearing how they actually put on presentations about wagons and other aspects of Old West history at local schools up near their home in Pilot Hill.

They are great folks who are just as friendly as one could wish to meet. I loved how they were so involved in keeping our Old West history alive. I admired both for their dedication in getting every little detail historically accurate. And yes, I admired how they endured my questions and didn't find me too much of a bother.

On Sunday, May 1st, the Wagon Train left their Kennedy Mine encampment and traveled down Jackson Gate Road and then onto North Main Street to Main Street Jackson.

By 11:00am, more or less, the Kit Carson Mountain Men Wagon Train "Days of '49" Parade began at Main Street Jackson. And yes, all who lined the streets included my wife and I were there for the parade. This time, I had my camera ready to take as many pictures as possible.

After the parade, the Wagon Train returned to their camp at historic Kennedy Mine near the iconic Kennedy Tailing Wheels and the head frame of one the deepest gold mines in the world. It was then that my wife and I got a chance to talk with Dennis and Antonia about their wagon which come to find out has a history all its own.

In the case of Dennis and Antonia's wagon, it originated from the Ponderosa Ranch. Yes, when the famed Bonanza television set finally closed its doors as a tourist attraction in 2004, they were able to acquire one of the wagons. 

I had visited the Ponderosa in Lake Tahoe a few times. The last time I visited the Ponderosa was in 1999. And yes, it was one of those places where Old West history jumped out at you from just about everywhere. 

Many think the Ponderosa Ranch was just the Cartwright home, but it was a lot more. Fact is, the whole "set" had parts of Virginia City just out of view of the cameras when shooting the scenes at their home. Yes, besides the Cartwright home, the main attraction was the ranch's version of Virginia City.

On the show, the ranch was always said to be about a "two-hour ride" on horseback from Virginia City. For the record, the Ponderosa's Virginia City was 40 miles from the real Virginia City.

The Ponderosa Ranch had activities, concessions and souvenirs, a haunted house, and panning for gold. Its amusements were based on Western movies and television shows. Believe it or not, people were actually getting married at the Church on the Ponderosa Ranch.

And yes, I remember the long rows of sheds and small barns filled with antiques, vintage tack, wagons, buggies, and their parts, and more of everything Old West to use as props for the long running series. 

One of the things that I remember most, besides the "Hoss Burgers," was a Conestoga Wagon on the site. It was believed abandoned by the Donner Party in 1846. It was recovered in the 1930s when Donner Lake was low. 

As for Dennis and Antonia's wagon, I don't knew how much effort was needed to restore their wagon because the folks who ran the Ponderosa Ranch as a tourist attraction did a great job of making sure all of their equipment was looked after pretty well. Many of the wagons, buggies, carts, and so on were kept in sheds, in small barns, or simply under cover as can be seen in this picture of the Ponderosa Ranch barn.

As you can see, there are a number of buggies as well as spare wheels undercover.  That was a lot of what took place at the ranch to protect thing from the weather.

Even though that may have been the case, Dennis and Antonia sent their wagon to Marcus Wagon Works in Marysville. It's said that if you want quality wagon workmanship when building or refurbishing wagons, then Marcus Wagon Works is who you contact.

Dennis and Antonia Amaral.
Their wagon being pulled by a team of Percheron/Welch Cob cross horses.

Painted, varnished, and outfitted with well oiled harness leather for their team of Percheron/Welch Cob cross horses, their wagon is certainly a thing of beauty.

I overheard Dennis telling others that he has learned a great deal from their group of covered wagon enthusiasts. And frankly, I can see how that is a good thing. From tips on how to be a better teamster, to being able to maneuver their wagon better, to learning more about the history behind what they're doing, I can appreciate how one learns from others just as there will be those who'll learn from Dennis.

I tip my hat to Dennis and Antonia, as well as other folks like them. Their passion for covered wagons and the Old West is wonderful to see. Through their efforts, and that of others, all folks with the same dedication to and passion for the Old West, I know we will keep interest in our Old West heritage very much alive. And frankly my friends, that is something we need to do more of. 

I'm part of that generation where us kids were brought up on '50s and '60s Westerns on television and at the movies, we liked how we beat our enemies during World War II, and we liked the idea that our government worked for us and not the other way around. And yes, more of us were rural than urban and we were brought up knowing how to do things for ourselves. 

Being interested in our family and our history, we learned a great deal about the strengths of others, their moral fabric, their abilities to survive and make it through tough times. We learned about self-reliance, having an independent nature, having a "never-say-die damn-the-torpedoes" attitude, maintaining a belief in doing right and not giving in to evil, all the while understanding that it is good to help out one's neighbor while not asking for anything in return. 

These were some of the things that most of us learned in one way or another, and this is what young people today can get out of an interest in Old West history. Learning about true hardship and peril can give youngsters more of a true understanding of those who came before us. 

Right now, many young Americans have very little real appreciation or knowledge regarding what their great-great-grandparents went through. I think this is mainly due to their being unaware of the true nature of what they faced back in the day. 

I see parades like this as a means to inspire and motivate young people to want to ask questions and learn how really tough, really hardy, and really determined people were and can be when seeking a better life. It might teach them that they too are cut from the same cloth, even if society that has programmed them to suppress those positive attributes. 

And yes, that's just the way I see it!
Tom Correa

With Trump We At Least Have A Chance

By Terry McGahey

Associate Writer/ Historian

No matter if you like Donald Trump or not we as Americans have got to start thinking of our country first, and in my opinion Mr. Trump is the only candidate I see that gives us a chance to revive our country. 

I have to admit, I have heard a few things he has said that makes me wonder a little bit but overall this man speaks his mind, tells it like it is, and is the only one who has been standing up for our military and talking about the Constitution in its true meaning as well as the reality of our sinking economy, debt, illegal immigration, and jobs. 

It is time for we as Americans to face reality instead of walking the path of political correctness. Anyone who does not agree with this only needs to look at what has been going on during this nomination process.

People are being paid to protest Mr. Trump's rallies, people try to disrupt rallies while inside the buildings, and people are committing violent acts and calling it a protest. We are loosing our country people, Wake up! 

Hillary Clinton will do nothing to put this country back on track, she will do nothing about illegal immigration, she will do nothing to strengthen our military, she will do nothing to force corporations to come back to America, and she will do nothing but further George Soros' and Obama's agenda when it comes to gun control, which in reality has nothing to do with crime because it only punishes the honest American citizen, gun control is people control.

The old Democratic Party is gone, it is no longer the Democrat Party of our fathers and grandfathers. It has become the Socialist Party of America and there is very little difference between Sanders and Clinton. 

If John F. Kennedy was running for president today, he would be running as a Republican. Don't believe me? Take the time to look back at his speeches and his policies. Please think about that for a moment if you are an old time Democrat. 

The Republican Party today resembles the old Democrat Party more so than the Democrats do in this day and age. So what's that tell you? It tells me that we all must become Americans again instead of Democrats and Republicans.

As far as illegal immigration, just look at what took place in California during the Trump rally and tell me that we are not in need of a stronger immigration plan and a barrier between the U.S. and Mexico. 

These so called protesters ganged up on, and beat some of the trump supporters, caused total chaos in the streets, destroyed a police vehicle, and while committing these crimes they were waving Mexican flags. 

If these people were here to assimilate and become Americans, they would have been waving American flags instead, while protesting peacefully, which proves to me they are not here to assimilate but here to take advantage of our system. 

Many of these so called immigrants are here because they believe in trying to take California back into Mexico which will never happen. They need to go! They are not Americans, they are Mexican Nationals, and by that statement my point is, even if some or many of those protesters were so called citizens of our country, their heart is still as Mexicans and not Americans, they must assimilate or go home, this is not Mexico.

Another point. Do you truly believe that Hillary Clinton will put a stop to bringing in the so called Muslim refugees? 

If you do, I have a bridge to sell you. She will not stop the influx of Muslims into our country even though it is a proven fact that many of these people want to kill our citizens. 

Is that what you call protecting our country from foreign invaders? Do you truly believe that Hillary will get rid of the Muslim Brotherhood and other Muslims within Obama's cabinet? If you do, the cost of that bridge I have for sale just went up by ten fold, inflation you know. 

I could go on and on but by now you get the drift of this article. If we the people have a chance to save our country, now is that chance.

We no longer need professional politicians setting at the head of the table, we need someone who believes in our Constitution, our people, our sovereignty, and putting this country back on top. I sure do not see Hillary doing these things being that she is the representative of the Democrat Socialist party.

While some might not agree, that's the way I see it.

Should We Allow Foreigners To Vote in American Elections

This question was sent to me in this way, "Why shouldn't we allow Foreigners to vote in American elections? Why can't they have a say in picking our leaders? Are you a racist? Do you hate Mexicans?"

First of all, I'm not a racist. But I do want everyone entering the United States to do it legally and not illegally. Not much to ask. Besides, what's the problem with doing it legally? Nothing!

And by the way, it's not just Mexicans who are coming here illegally. Fact is, people from just about every country in the world sneak in to bypass the process. Why should they do so when others are doing it legally?

For the woman who wrote me, please ask yourself how would you would feel if you were standing in line for a movie and someone cut in line and tried to get in free after you paid?

Oh, I forgot that a number of people seem to have forgotten that our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, or someone in our family paid the price to get in and assimilate. But most likely, that really doesn't matter to the one's who are willing to allow illegal Foreigners in our country.

As for allowing Foreigners to vote in American elections? Why should we Americans even be asked if someone other than a non-United States citizen should be able to vote in American elections? The question itself is insulting. 

Of course "only citizens" should vote to install our representatives. Why should anyone from a foreign land have a say in who leads us? Why don't you go to Mexico and tell them that you want to vote in their election? Write me, and tell me how that went?!

What other country in the world has ever allowed Foreigners for any country to come in and pick their leaders or have a say in their policies? None! And friends, I have taken the time to look into this. Every nation requires that you must be a citizen to vote in one of their elections.

If you know of a country that has an open voting system where Foreigners can vote in an election there, without being a citizen of that country? Please let me know what nation that is.

Because friends, from everything that I can find, no other nation in the history of mankind has allowed the people of another nation to pick their leaders or say influence another nation's course. And yes, that's exactly what we are doing by allowing Foreigners to vote in our elections.

So why should we allow Foreigners to vote in our elections? It would be the very same thing as allowing Mexico or China, or any other sovereign nation to vote and subsequently pick our next President, our Congressmen and women, our Senators, Governor, Legislators, County Sheriffs and Judges. 

Right now, even without Foreigners voting, we have a problem with bringing in Muslims who refuse to assimilate because their religion forbids them from doing so. These Muslims are being made citizens even though their loyalties are with their homeland and its customs -- not ours. 

Can you imagine the day when Muslim refugees, people not yet citizens, vote because Democrats want to give away our precious right? Do you think that Muslims would vote into office people who hate Israel? I do! How about voting in someone tough on Islamic Terrorism? Not a chance!

And how about voting in Sharia Law in place of Constitutional Law in places where say a small population is Muslim like in many cities? Now add in illegal Muslims voting and they can change policy and politics very easily.

If they could vote right now, without becoming citizens, would Muslims vote to install Sharia Law here in the USA? Would they use the power of the ballot to eliminate Women's Rights, legalize child molestation, legalize male and female rape and stoning and honor killings here in America just as it is where they left? Absolutely they would. They are proving that in Europe.

Right now, all of which is legal could become illegal if the people using the power of the vote, use it to turn our American culture on its ear. Now, can you imagine if referendums were left to Foreigners to vote on? What sort of America do they want?

Do you think, if Muslims were given the chance to vote in new laws in America, they would steer our government and society to be more like where they came from? I certainly do.

If we allow Foreigners to vote, then why not just hand out absentee ballots at our embassies around the world so that ALL of those nation can vote to change our American laws and our system of Constitutional government? 

To quote the Immigration Services, "citizenship is the common thread that connects all Americans. We are a nation bound not by race or religion, but by the shared values of freedom, liberty, and equality."

Throughout our history, the United States has welcomed newcomers from all over the world. The contributions of immigrants have helped shape and define our nation into the country which we know today.

More than 200 years after our founding, naturalized citizens are still an important part of our democracy. By becoming a U.S. citizen, one has a voice in how our nation is governed. Why allow Foreigners a voice, especially when we Americans don't have a voice in how their home countries are governed?

Citizenship offers many benefits as well as some equally important responsibilities. Demonstrating one's commitment to this country, the United States, and our form of government, our laws, our customs, is a significant part of being an American citizen.

As citizens, should we allow Foreigners to vote in American elections, or should we should take our role seriously and as important as it is? As citizens our rights and responsibilities should be exercised, but also respected.

As I've gotten older, I've come to realize that freedom from tyranny comes in many forms. Once upon a time, I thought tyranny was only that of a national dictator such as Adolf Hitler and Fidel Castro. Both had in common the ideology of making citizens slaves of the state, peasants of an all powerful central government supported by threats of prison or death.

I've learned that tyranny can come from government agencies, and from the federal level as well as the state. Tyrants in America come in the form of political appointees, government officials, and even in the likes of California Governor Jerry Brown who just gave the power of the vote to Illegal Aliens here in California. Yes, imagine that!

Here in California where we could have put it to the citizens to vote on, it wasn't. Instead it was decided on by the Governor and the Democrat Party, then simply shoved down our throats to be taken as the law -- like it or not. And yes, all with the applause of the all powerful Democrat Party which runs California.

Yes, like some two-bit dictator, California Governor Jerry Brown demanded that non-citizens get the vote. Working with his cronies to get it done, they merely rubber stamped it and gave him what he wanted. California has proven itself to be just another Third World nation with a controlling junta.

Yes indeed, in the last few years of the Obama administration, America has certainly shown that we can be no different than a Banana Republic in so many ways. Obama and the politically protected criminals in the Democrat Party, the "Ruling Party," has America acting no different than some of the most political corrupt Third World countries. Through back room deals with Union leaders and other Leftists, paying bribes, promising political favors, making threats, all is seen these days as "business as usual" in California and around Obama's America. It is all to skirt the will of the people.

Democrats pass laws like allowing Illegal Aliens the right to vote, all the while knowing that they have to skirt the will of the people to put such agendas into place. They know real well that if they didn't use such underhanded tactics, that the will of the people will fight them. Yes, fight them to ensure that America remains a free and prosperous nation.

Friends, even though I believe our government is corrupt these days as never before, we are still the melting pot for those wanting to come here legally to assimilate. Because of that, I still don't believe that our citizenship should be taken as lightly as the Democrat Party apparently does.

We should certainly not allow the actions of filth to cheapen what our citizenship means by allowing Foreigners to have our right to vote.

And frankly my friends, that's what it's about. It's part of the Left's agenda. It's all an attempt by the Democrat Party to cheapen American citizenship. It is an attempt on the part of the Left to make American citizenship meaningless. They do it because they see our citizenship as meaningless, and that's why they see nothing wrong with giving Foreigners our right to vote.

Democrats see giving away our right to vote only as a means to cranking out more voters for the Democrat Party. Our rights and benefits that come along with being an American citizen means absolutely knowing to them. One can see that by how little value they place on the rights and benefits of being an American.

Frankly, while I see Conservatives holding American citizenship in high esteem, I don't think Liberals, Democrats, care if they are doing harm or doing what's right for America. I simply don't think they care one way or the other. 

I see Democrats as being as self-serving and devious as Lucifer when it comes to getting what they want. Yes, just as evil and conniving, all while believing the good be damned.

Yes, that's the way I see it.

Tom Correa

Stun Guns Are A Legal Alternative

Friends, while I'm not going to discuss the particulars of my sister's divorce or what I was told about how she was cheated on, battered, and abused during her marriage. My concern is for her safety these days.

This is because her soon-to-be-former-husband has made a number of threats against her life. And friends, these are not "alleged" threats simply because I've seen them and verified them to be real. 

Fearing for her safety and security even more so in recent months, my sister has gone to the El Dorado County Court to request and obtain a Restraining Order against him. Believe it or not, after she appeared in Court and explained her fears and worries to a judge to obtain a Restraining Order, all as the law instructs with evidence in hand, she was turned down and refused a Restraining Order. 

Yes, California's El Dorado County Court turned her down even though she had presented to the Court evidence in the form of texts and voice messages which she saved for the Court to see. The evidence is clear and in his own words, it was all clearly showed to the El Dorado County Court. The court took note of the numbers of threats and every specific of what was texted and said in his own words.

After being refused, nervous, full of anxiety, fearing for her life, not knowing where to turn for help, she asked the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department for help and maybe get some sort of advice as to what to do next. She was looking for any sort of advice. But believe it or not, they refused to give her any help or advice as to what to do to help protect herself. 

Yes, in an America where law enforcement is worried about be sued, we have law enforcement too afraid to even give a nervous and afraid woman advice as to how to protect herself.

Friends, that in itself is just sad. And while I know that El Dorado County Sheriff's Department has it's own reality television show, their refusal to advise or help my sister is a pitiful commentary on just how useless the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department truly is in regards to protecting its citizens.

For the record, I believe my sister should carry a stun gun with as heavy a charge as one can carry legally. While this is not a perfect defense, and really there is no such thing as a perfect defensive tool while even guns and knives have their limitations, a stun gun is better than nothing. It is certainly more than the reality television stars of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department will provide her.

Now as for the use of stun guns and other "arms" as legal options to protecting one's self, there is great news on this from none other than the Supreme Court of the United States just last month.

On March 22nd, 2016, in Jaime Caetano v. Massachusetts, the Supreme Court overturned that decision in what was their first decision since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

This is important because it actually addresses the Liberal argument against "types" of arms covered by the Second Amendment. For years, part of the Liberal argument against certain firearms and other weapons, such as an AR-15 rifle or a stun gun, is that such weapons do not fall under the Second Amendment because such arms were not around in 1789 when the Bill of Rights was created.

The March 22nd ruling was unsigned and unanimous, and was generally presented as an objection to the Massachusetts court’s argument that "stun guns were not the type of weapon Congress would have envisioned in 1789 when the 2nd Amendment was written."

The terms "arms" means "weapons" and does not only mean guns. And yes, the Oxford English Dictionary defines "arms" as "weapons". To "bear armed" is to "Possess or carry a weapon." "the right to bear arms." The Supreme Court of the United States agrees.

In 2011, a Boston woman, Jaime Caetano, was beaten so badly by her ex-boyfriend that she ended up in the hospital. So when a friend offered her a stun gun to protect herself, she took it.

Boston Police found Ms. Caetano's stun gun in her purse during a shoplifting investigation at a supermarket in 2011. She told police that she needed it to defend herself against her violent ex-boyfriend. She had already had obtained multiple Restraining Orders against him, but that did not stop his attacks.

Massachusetts is among only five states that ban stun guns and Tasers for private citizens. And even though she told the police the situation, they arrested her for having the stun gun.

During Ms Caetano's trial, she testified that her ex-boyfriend repeatedly came to her workplace and threatened her. But that all stopped one night when she showed him the stun gun. She said that he "got scared and left me alone."

Again, even though that was the case, Ms Caetano, was found guilty of violating the state of Massachusetts law that bans private possession of stun guns, devices that deliver an electric shock when pressed against an attacker. Yes, as incredible as it seems, the state appears to have rather she be beaten to death than have a way to defend herself.

Her lawyer, Benjamin Keehn, argued in her appeal that a stun gun falls within the meaning of "arms" under the Second Amendment. Mr. Keehn wrote in a legal brief that the state's ban "cannot be squared with the fundamental right to keep and bear arms." He also argues that self-defense outside the home is part of the core right provided by the Second Amendment.

The case went to the Supreme Court to determine whether a state law that prohibits private citizens from possessing stun guns infringes on their right to keep and bear arms granted to all Americans under the Second Amendment. 

The great news for Ms Caetano is a win for all Americans because in the case of Jaime Caetano v. Massachusetts, the Supreme Court has held that the Second Amendment extends to all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding, citing  as precedent District of Columbia v. Heller (2008). The Supreme Court also held that this "Second Amendment right is fully applicable to the States," citing as precedent McDonald v. Chicago (2010). 

The case that the Justices all cited as their benchmark precedent was District of Columbia v. Heller which was a 2008 Supreme Court decision that overturned Washington D.C.'s ban on handguns. That decision called Washington D.C.'s ban "unconstitutional." And yes, it was a decision famously penned by the late Justice Scalia.

This is the Supreme Court's first Post-Scalia Second Amendment decision which turned out to be surprisingly unanimous. The Justices struck down a 2015 Massachusetts court ruling which said stun guns were not covered under the protections of the Second Amendment. In fact, in a simple two page brief, the Justices unanimously argued that based on the Second Amendment case District of Columbia v. Heller that the Massachusetts court's ruling could not stand for the following reasons:

First the Supreme Court said that the Massachusetts court statement that stun guns are not protected because they "were not in common use at the time of the Second Amendment’s enactment" was inconsistent with the law in that District of Columbia v. Heller clearly states that the Second Amendment "extends to arms that were not in existence at the time of the founding."

Second, the Massachusetts court stated that stun guns are "unusual" because they are "a thoroughly modern invention." By equating "unusual" with "in common use at the time of the Second Amendment's enactment," the Supreme Court's second explanation is the same as the first in that it is inconsistent with Heller for the same reason.

Finally, the Massachusetts court used "a contemporary lens" and found "nothing in the record to suggest that stun guns are readily adaptable to use in the military." But, the Supreme Court did not agree and instead said that the Heller precedent rejected the proposition "that only those weapons useful in warfare are protected."

While this is great news for people who need protection against the government regarding carrying stun guns and other arms, for me it has a bigger because it addresses our ability to arm ourselves and not be required to depend on the government for our safety or our security.

Justices Alito and Thomas made additional comments on this ruling addressed this:

"A State’s most basic responsibility is to keep its people safe. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts was either unable or unwilling to do what was necessary to protect Jaime Caetano, so she was forced to protect herself.

To make matters worse, the Commonwealth chose to deploy its prosecutorial resources to prosecute and convict her of a criminal offense for arming herself with a nonlethal weapon that may well have saved her life. ...

If the fundamental right of self-defense does not protect Caetano, then the safety of all Americans is left to the mercy of state authorities who may be more concerned about disarming the people than about keeping them safe."

What Justices Alito and Thomas wrote is very important because this upholds the meaning and spirit of the Second Amendment in that though a "state’s most basic responsibility is to keep its people safe" some states are "either unable or unwilling to do what was necessary to protect" us.

As in the case of Ms. Jaime Caetano, she was forced to protect herself and the state of Massachusetts decided to attack her for doing so even though it was clear why she had possession of the stun gun. Yes, they actually charged and prosecute and convict her of a criminal offense for arming herself with a nonlethal weapon that may well have saved her life.

Yes, as insane as that sound, the state of Massachusetts did in fact prosecute her for providing herself with some sort of protection against a known threat. And frankly, this is horrific in my book because it tells me that the authorities in Massachusetts were more concerned with punishing an already battered and afraid woman than understanding the peril she is in.

Justices Alito and Thomas are absolutely right when they stated "If the fundamental right of self-defense does not protect Caetano, then the safety of all Americans is left to the mercy of state authorities who may be more concerned about disarming the people than about keeping them safe."

So there we have it, this reaffirms part of the reason that we Americans have the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. It is there to tell the government that we have the right to protect ourselves -- especially when the government, Federal, State, County, or City governments, cannot or will not do so, or even threatens us if we do.

While this is a victory for 2nd Amendment supporters, it's a bigger victory for women like my sister who have been abused and are now being threatened. It is great that they can now find an alternative that is legal to carry.

For her and others to have some sort of "arms" on them as a defense right now as a result of this Supreme Court decision is a real big deal -- especially since if attacked she, like others, cannot depend on local law enforcement to be there.

And yes, that's the way I see it.
Tom Correa

Hollywood: City Of Propaganda And Hypocrites

By Terry McGahey
Associate Writer/ Historian

For the life of me I will never understand why so many of the American people are so enamored with Hollywood and the many hypocrite actors and actresses which love to push their ideals upon the American people.

These folks are no more intelligent than the rest of us. But because of their so-called fame, it gives them a national pulpit from which to speak and push their agenda of socialism in many cases.

To give an example of Hollywood hypocrites, now Hollywood liberals are threatening to leave the United States if Donald Trump wins the election because they don't "like" him.

Below is a very short list of thespians, no, I didn't say "lesbians," which have made millions of dollars using guns in their movies. For those who may not know, thespians is another word for actors.

Many of these thespians believe that the American people shouldn't own guns but yet many of them do, or at least have bodyguards who carry weapons. It's good for them, but not for you.

These hypocrites are: Alec Baldwin, Kevin Bacon, Beau Bridges, George Clooney, Kevin Costner, Michael Douglas, Kevin Cline, Jack Nicholson, Liam Neeson and Sylvestor Stallone, not to speak of Jane Fonda and Drew Barrymore.

The list above is but a very short list of these anti gun thespians. To list them all would take up this whole column.

Are you, or are you not a hypocrite if you use an object to make millions of dollars, but yet be against that object in reality? I don't know about you but that defines a hypocrite in my book.

As far as Hollywood propaganda goes, it is sad that in this day and age many of our young people believe that Socialism is being social with the likes of Facebook and such. The group of young people who think that's what Socialism is, are easily fooled by the so called famous people.

All one has to do is listen and use common sense when many of these Hollywood types speak out about what they believe in.

Again, the list of thespians above also prove my point about how they use their popularity to spread the propaganda of Socialism. Anytime these people of upper class, or so they believe they are, spout off about anything that we the people shouldn't be doing, but yet they themselves are doing, they spout their Socialist beliefs.

The old saying goes, do as I say, not as I do. This applies to Hollywood.

While these people of wealth in Hollywood ride around in limo's, fly around in private jets, drive huge Hummers, as well as other million dollar vehicles such as Rolls Royce, Ferrari, and Lamborghini's, they have the nerve to tell us that we should drive vehicles that get a certain amount of fuel mileage or we are being un-American.

I don't think so, after all, how many of these people do you see driving around in a Volt, Prius, or Smart Car?

Now please don't get me wrong, there are some good decent people in Hollywood, people like Tom Seleck and Clint Eastwood, as well as others who do not buy into the Hollywood norm but the numbers on that side are not near the numbers on the opposite side.

The reason Hollywood can't put a stop to the people who I've just mentioned is because they have such big names. Now, think about what I just said? This goes to prove how Hollywood is full of phonies, because even though many of these people strongly disagree with the likes of Seleck and Eastwood, they will sure bend over backwards if it's going to make them millions of dollars. That alone shows me that these people have no morals or real values.
Personally, I have no use for Hollywood. These people are no better then you or me, but they believe themselves to be because many people in this country put them upon a pedestal and they do not belong there.

If anything, I can think of a few that should be deported for their un-American views.

While I don't know if you agree, that's the way I see it.