Oakland Resident Charged with Federal Gun Trafficking (CA Penal Code 26500)

26-year-old Oakland man (name withheld in order to protect the privacy of the accused) was recently arrested for federal gun trafficking and and several other related  charges.   Authorities suspected that he was illegally selling guns and served 2 search warrants this Wednesday, one on his residence on Raymond Drive (Pacheco) and on another home in East Oakland on 62^nd Avenue.  There, local law enforcement officials discovered over 70 different guns, including pistols, shotguns, rifles, and assault rifles.  In this case, it took the Contra Costa County sheriff’s office, California Highway Patrol, the state Department of Justice, police officers from Walnut Creek, Concord, and Pittsburg, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to conduct the investigation on this one individual.  He is currently being held for illegal transfer of guns, possession of stolen property, being a felon in possession of a firearm, ammunition, and conspiracy.

California’s laws concerning gun trafficking are some of the most stringent in the nation.  For example, a background check is required for every gun purchase, even those between individuals.  If this background check is not performed, then California law has been violated (CA Penal Code 26500).  The way in which the law is written, each individual firearm that is illegally sold or transferred subjects you to up to 6 months in county jail and a $1,000 fine.  Besides these basic misdemeanor charges, he also faces additional penalties as he is already a convicted felon (CA Penal Code 29800, “Felon in Possession of a Firearm”).  This means that he will be subject to an additional maximum of 3 years in county jail and/or an additional $10,000 fine.