Bernie Get Your Gun

By David Codrea
codrea4@adelphia.net

May 3, 2002

Having failed in his attempt to secure a second term, Los Angeles Police Chief Bernard Parks will step down on May 3. Chief Parks has been a vocal opponent of CCW reforms, despite the clear intent of the Second Amendment and overwhelming evidence showing concealed carrying of firearms by citizens reduces crime and saves lives. So it seems fair to ask if he will retain the ability to carry a concealed weapon after his retirement -- something you or I would be arrested for doing, as the Chief and the LA County Sheriff deem this a "privilege," reserving their permissions for the well-connected.

After some back-and-forth cajoling, I managed to get the following admission from a reluctant LAPDOnline representative:

"Police officers in the state of California by state law are authorized to carry concealed weapons after they retire unless otherwise restricted or prohibited. However, for an official statement you will need to contact the Los Angeles Police Commission."

Of course, we knew that. By accepting it though, we are supposed to accept that police in general, and desk-bound administrators in particular, are better trained than serious gun enthusiasts, including NRA-certified instructors and those who provide advanced training classes the Chief wouldn't even qualify to enroll in without first passing prerequisite courses. We are supposed to accept that a man who denies the protective benefits of concealed carry by others will produce protective benefits by carrying himself -- due solely to his once having worn a badge. We're supposed to accept this not only for Bernard Parks, but also his predecessor, the notoriously incompetent Willie Williams, an anti-defense bureaucrat who couldn't even pass the basic P.O.S.T. exam required for rank and file officers (and who therefore is supremely qualified to be named an Airport Security Director in charge of baggage and passenger screening by that other notorious incompetent, Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta.)

And seeing how all these retired officers authorized to pack by the state of California have so vigorously pressed for statewide civilian concealed carry reforms, we're supposed to buy into the argument of HR 218 proponents that passing national concealed carry for cops will gain their support for citizens to enjoy the right as well. 

The corruption and elitism of "may issue" permitting systems is evident to anyone with eyes, and a blatant violation of the Constitutional guarantee of equal protection under the law. Then again, "shall issue" systems may pose an even greater danger to liberty. Do they, as some argue, cause a general acceptance of armed citizens by the general public and thus "prime" them to be more tolerant of gun ownership? Or are they on their face an infringement against the inalienable right to keep and bear arms specifically prohibited by the Second Amendment? What other rights would permit holders be willing to pay a fee, take a test and register for, and agree to suspend in prohibited locations? What other rights would we agree to accept prior restraints on, and by legitimizing the concept of required advance permission also legitimize the flip side notion of later revocation? 

We take Vermont carry of Bibles for granted. It's time for Americans who fancy themselves free to do the same with guns -- and for the gun rights groups they contribute to to publicly demand uninfringed legislative AND JUDICIAL recognition of the right they claim to champion.

As usual, the government has things exactly backward -- THEY are the ones who need OUR permission. It's time to tell career authority worshippers like Bernard Parks that we don't need no stinkin' political connections or state sanctions, because we don't need no stinkin' permits. As long as they remember that and act accordingly, we'll let them keep their guns.

David Codrea is a co-founder and director for the national pro-rights media campaign, Citizens of America (CitizensOfAmerica.org), and an advisor and contributor for KeepAndBearArms.com. His professional writing is featured often in Guns and Ammo magazine. Additionally, he is the national coordinator for A Petition for the Enforcement of the Second Amendment (KeepAndBearArms.com/Petition). His archives can be accessed here: KeepAndBearArms.com/Codrea.