Most Californians would be banned from owning or purchasing body armor, such as a bullet-proof vest, under a bill now being considered by state lawmakers. Assembly Bill 92, introduced by Assemblyman Damon Connolly, D-San Rafael, comes as a response to many high-profile mass shootings where the shooter wore body armor. That includes the 2015 massacre in San Bernardino, where two people wearing tactical gear killed 14 people at a holiday gathering. State and federal law already prohibit people convicted of a violent felony from possessing body armor. AB 92 would make it a misdemeanor for anyone outside of a specified profession to own body armor. In its current form, the bill exempts law enforcement officers and members of the military, armored car guards and security guards, firefighters and paramedics, firearms dealers and body armor salespeople, building safety inspectors and code enforcement officers. The bill also makes it a felony to commit violence with a firearm while wearing body armor.

“Simply put, the widespread availability of military-grade body armor helps mass shooters and criminals kill more people,” Connolly said in a statement. “It is clear that the sale of body armor has empowered violent criminals, including mass shooters, to harm, kill, and prolong their rampages. This ongoing and unnecessary epidemic of violence must be stopped and AB 92 will help protect innocent bystanders and our peace officers.” While body armor is expensive and rarely used by criminals in most crimes, according to NPR, there has been an uptick in mass shooters wearing it during their attacks. At least 21 mass shooters have worn some form of body armor over the last 40 years, according to The Violence Project, which studies gun violence. The majority of those cases were in the last decade.

AB 92 likely will be heard in committee later this spring.

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File # 22-36911

Details:

On May 27, 2022, members of the Corona/Jurupa Valley Regional Gang Task Force, with the assistance of the Corona Police Departments FLEX, Vice and Narcotics, and PACT Teams, served a search warrant at a residence in the 1900 Block of West Ontario Ave, Corona. During the search of the location, Jonah Barron was found to be in possession of a stolen AR-10 rifle, sawed off shotgun, a 1911 handgun, body armor, various calibers of ammunition and narcotics. Barron was arrested and charged with various drug and gun related charges.

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File # GE220960001

Details:

On Thursday, April 6, 2022, at 5:00 P.M. the Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force served a search warrant at a residence located in the 66000 block of 6 Street in Desert Hot Springs. During the service of the search warrant Gang Task Force Officers located a 12-gauge shotgun, .300 caliber rifle, multiple rounds of ammunition, 5 sets of body armor and two collapsible batons.

They arrested convicted felon and documented criminal street gang member, Ronald Solarzano, a 42-year-old resident of Desert Hot Springs for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Felon in Possession of Ammunition, Felon in Possession of Body Armor and Possession of Collapsible Batons. Also arrested was convicted felon and documented criminal street gang member, Sandra Ponce, a 58-year-old resident of Desert Hot Springs. Ponce was arrested for Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Felon in Possession of Ammunition.

The Coachella Valley Violent Crime Gang Task Force is committed to creating safe and secure neighborhoods free of violent crime and gang activity. If you have any information about this crime, please contact CVVCGTF member Officer Coddington at (760) 836-1600. If you have non-emergency information regarding gang activity, please use our online Gang Task Force Tip Form. or call 951-922-7601.

For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.

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