Opponent's Gun Permit Is Revoked

Opponent's Gun Permit Is Revoked
Sheriff Baca says his action against a retired captain who ran against him isn't retaliation.
By Stuart Pfeifer, Times Staff Writer
June 17, 2006

Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has revoked the concealed weapons license of a retired sheriff's captain who waged a fiery but unsuccessful campaign to unseat him in last week's election, a move the candidate's lawyer called "blatant retaliation."

Undersheriff Larry Waldie notified retired Capt. Ken Masse of the move two days after the election, accusing the failed candidate of waging a deceptive and dishonest campaign that "may have damaged the public's confidence in this agency."

Masse, who served 35 years with the department before retiring last year, intends to appeal the revocation. Peace officers in California are routinely issued credentials that allow them to carry concealed weapons after they retire. Those credentials can be revoked upon a showing of "good cause" by the department.

Police agencies usually take such action only after retired officers are accused of criminal wrongdoing or other evidence indicates they could pose a danger with a gun or law enforcement credentials, said Masse's attorney, Dieter Dammeier.

"It happens when there's dangerous conduct, not when somebody is engaged in politics," Dammeier said. "I think it's absurd in this day and age that you'd have a public official who'd think you can retaliate against someone who opposed you…. It's something you'd expect in junior high, not the L.A. Sheriff's Department."
(sniop/...)

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-baca17jun17,1,7906907.story?coll=la-headlines-politics

If he is retired from the department there is no reason he would need a firearm. He should be regulated to the same status as almost every other person in California when it comes to carrying a firearm since most citizens there cannot get a concealed carry permit like in most other states.

Simple solution.

Besides, many crimes are stopped by armed retired/off-duty cops who are going about their daily personal business.

Cops piss dangerous people off on a regular basis in their line of work, people that couldn't give a damn if the cop is retired or not! I think it's stupid that retired cops should even NEED a "permit" to carry myself.

I'm pretty sure that Cali is not "shall-issue" so, despite this being political retaliation, I doubt that he has any kind of legal recourse against the sheriff... :(

Where are they when you need them?

no matter what letters these people have behind their name. They guy served the community doing a dangerous job, many retired police keep the concealed carry permit after service.

They have a legitimate concern since they spent years jailing people.

That is silly unless he made a specific threat or failed to meet the criteria to hold the permit.