They didn't mention what prompted them to pull the guys over. Other than the fact they were young, black, dreadlocked and driving a Benz.
First thing that struck me also. That aside, if he wasn't illegally carrying a loaded weapon he has no problem.
California is tough. If he was carrying a handgun, loaded or unloaded, in his vehicle, within reach and without a CCW permit he's in trouble. He'd be in trouble even in Utah which arguably has the most lenient gun laws in the nation. Here's the California position:
It is unlawful to carry a loaded rifle, shotgun, or handgun in any public place or on any public street in an incorporated area or an area where firing a firearm is prohibited.
Exceptions include:
* Persons shooting on target ranges, or while hunting on the premises of a shooting club.
* A person who reasonably believes that he or his property is in immediate danger and the weapon must be carried for "preservation."
* A person "engaged in the act of making or attempting lawful arrest."
* A person carrying a firearm while at home or at his place of business, including temporary residences and campsites.
Carrying a handgun concealed is prohibited without a license. The law states "Firearms carried openly in belt holsters are not concealed within the meaning of this section."
Carrying a handgun concealed within a vehicle is prohibited without a license. A handgun carried in a glove compartment or under the seat of a vehicle is considered to be concealed. A handgun placed in the trunk of an automobile, or locked in a container in the vehicle other than the utility or glove compartment or while in a locked container carried directly to or from a vehicle is deemed not to be "concealed." A locked container means a fully enclosed secure container locked by a key lock or similar locking device.
Exceptions to this prohibition are:
* Members of clubs organized for practice shooting while on any established target range or going to and from such range.
* Licensed hunters and fishermen while engaged in hunting or fishing and while going to or from such hunting or fishing expeditions and members of an antique or historical collector's club while at a show, or while going to and from a display as long as the weapons are locked in a trunk or are in a locked container.
Given he was "visiting" and California doesn't play the reciprocity game nicely I suspect even if he had a CCW permit from another state he might still be in trouble. There's no reciprocity with Utah that's for sure. Maybe as N.Y. is a commie state too it might be different if indeed he has a N.Y. permit. ( Yeah, right
)
Edit: I agree about the profiling angle. WTF recognizes Marshawn Lynch... even when he comes up to you and says "I'm Marshawn Lynch."
