San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson responds to a statement made by California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Governor Newsom,
Regarding your statement about United States District Judge Roger T. Benitez’ ruling AR-15 rifles are like Swiss Army knives and are therefore constitutional:
“Today’s decision is a direct threat to public safety and the lives of innocent Californians, period. As the son of a judge, I grew up with deep respect for the judicial process and the importance of a judge’s ability to make impartial fact-based rulings, but the fact that this judge compared the AR-15 – a weapon of war that’s used on the battlefield – to a Swiss Army Knife completely undermines the credibility of this decision and is a slap in the face to the families who’ve lost loved ones to this weapon. We’re not backing down from this fight, and we’ll continue pushing for common-sense gun laws that will save lives.” – Governor Gavin Newsom
It is too bad your logic is inconsistent. Now you know how Josh Ryen and the Hughes’ felt last Friday about your clemency investigation decision regarding Kevin Cooper. Josh Ryen and the Hughes feel the same way about Kevin Cooper as you do about AR-15 rifles.
Kevin Cooper was a weapon of mass murder 38 years ago this weekend when he killed Doug Ryen, Peggy Ryen, Jessica Ryen, Christopher Hughes, and tried to kill Josh Ryen. As a son of a judge, you should have respect for the 35 years of the judicial process that has unilaterally confirmed Kevin Cooper’s guilt.
Your decision last Friday is hypocritical and fundamentally flawed, and we will fight it.
Jason Anderson
District Attorney, San Bernardino County