Author Topic: Gun law study: More blacks face felonies  (Read 1455 times)

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Offline Dali Llama

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Gun law study: More blacks face felonies
« on: February 02, 2005, 01:46:10 AM »
Gun law study: More blacks face felonies

By DON THOMPSON
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A study of California's weapons registration law found that blacks were far more likely to be charged with a felony than whites, who were more often charged with a misdemeanor for the same offense.

The study by state Attorney General Bill Lockyer prompted calls for changes from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; the lawmaker who authored the legislation defended it.

The study examined data on how the law, which took effect Jan. 1, 2000, is being applied. The law makes it illegal for anyone to possess a gun who is not registered with the state as that firearm's owner. Offenders can be charged with a felony or a misdemeanor, a lesser count.

In 2003, less than 40 percent of whites faced felony charges under the law; more than 70 percent of blacks and nearly 70 percent of Hispanics were charged with felonies.

"Blacks were proportionately most likely to be filed on at the felony level, followed by Hispanics, other race/ethnic groups, and whites. This pattern exists throughout the period shown," the report states.

The law's author, Democratic state Sen. Jack Scott, said he left in the option of a misdemeanor charge in the event an individual has a good excuse for possessing a weapon not registered to him - for instance, if the weapon is properly registered in the name of a spouse or other close relative.

Scott noted many of those charged with felony possession of an illegal handgun also were charged with other felonies at the same time. "Perhaps more dangerous individuals are charged with a felony," he said.

Alice A. Huffman, president of the California State Conference of the NAACP, said her organization will work with the Legislature's black caucus to change the law or its enforcement.

"We know intuitively that we are being dealt with more harshly than whites. This just reinforces it," she said. The overall disparity is such that "I don't know what else it could be other than race," she said.
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Offline williamlayton

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Gun law study: More blacks face felonies
« Reply #1 on: February 02, 2005, 02:00:32 AM »
It would be good to know all of the story on this before rushing to judgement. Quips such as these are often more harmful than informative.
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TEXAS, by GOD

Offline jh45gun

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Gun law study: More blacks face felonies
« Reply #2 on: February 02, 2005, 03:50:09 AM »
While Blacks have been for years saying they are profiled and in some cases I suppose they are it is also true more blacks seem to commit crimes. Not sure if the number is up because of the gangs and drugs but that would be my guess.
Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use it.

Offline gino

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Gun law study: More blacks face felonies
« Reply #3 on: February 02, 2005, 04:45:09 AM »
<Scott noted many of those charged with felony possession of an illegal handgun also were charged with other felonies at the same time. "Perhaps more dangerous individuals are charged with a felony," he said.>

Reckon this might have something to do with it?
gino  

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Offline Dali Llama

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Gun law study: More blacks face felonies
« Reply #4 on: February 02, 2005, 07:27:41 AM »
Quote from: jh45gun
While Blacks have been for years saying they are profiled and in some cases I suppose they are it is also true more blacks seem to commit crimes. Not sure if the number is up because of the gangs and drugs but that would be my guess.
Dali Llama say many state they only be guilty of "DWB."
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Offline jh45gun

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Gun law study: More blacks face felonies
« Reply #5 on: February 02, 2005, 09:23:14 AM »
Yea I have heard that Dali. I am guessing DWB means Driving by a black person. In any case statistics show more blacks commit crimes than whites. I still think the gang and drug situation raises that number considerably.
Said I never had much use for one, never said I didn't know how to use it.

Offline Dali Llama

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Gun law study: More blacks face felonies
« Reply #6 on: February 02, 2005, 01:24:00 PM »
Quote from: jh45gun
I am guessing DWB means Driving by a black person.
DWB = Driving While Black
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Offline jh45gun

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Gun law study: More blacks face felonies
« Reply #7 on: February 02, 2005, 02:26:57 PM »
That is kinda what I thought but then I was not sure of the W as Driving while black kinda does not make sense as with booze you eventually become sober but unless you are Michael Jackson you pretty much stay black :shock:  You do not change for the occasion!
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Offline mjbgalt

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Gun law study: More blacks face felonies
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2005, 02:58:26 PM »
well i always like to call em as i see em. and if a black person commits a crime i am no more cautious about admitting they're a criminal than i am with a white person. lets jail the CRIMINALS and let law abiding blacks, whites, and everyone else do as they see fit, shall we?

i am sick, on another note, of how some blacks (and other minority groups, to be fair) get on the news and bitch about how white people get preferential treatment or that they are unfairly treated.

perhaps if they spent as much time policing their own and NOT committing crimes as they do whining on tv, things would be better for them?? lol

-Matt
I have it on good authority that the telepromter is writing a stern letter.