More California crazy laws

California has long been known as the land of "fruits and nuts" – a mentality that permeates every aspect of life there – and it never ends.

The latest fiascoes involve "law and order" – or at least, what one would assume deals with the law and the orderly adherence to it. But this is California we're talking about, and like Alice through the Looking Glass, nothing is what it seems.

The state has passed gun-control laws, laws regulating items purchased, requiring ammunition identification that is impossible to do, and even changing the laws to reduce the penalties for crimes.

It's all been a gigantic failure.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the state has adopted a wide array of gun control laws since July 1, 1993 – banning "assault weapons," limiting ammunition magazines to 10 rounds and requiring background checks for ammunition purchases.

But the California mass shootings went on, in 2014, 2016, 2017 and twice in 2018.

So much for more laws.

The voters share the blame for the increase in out-of-control crime in the state. In 2014, voters passed Proposition 47, which was touted as a criminal justice reform measure. It cut penalties for certain "lower level" crimes. The East Bay Times called it a "leap of faith." Yeah it was that all right, and the result has been a surge in car break-ins, shoplifting and other property crimes.

Every single law enforcement officer I've talked with says the same thing: There are more crimes and more people walking away from them.

David Swing is the Police Chief in Morgan Hill and is president of the California Police Chiefs Association board of directors. He recently wrote that "Prop 47 has been an ill-conceived measure that has increased property crimes and decreased participation in proven drug rehabilitation programs."

He said it works for criminals who walk away from burglaries, illicit drug possession and fraud without facing meaningful consequences.

Examples? Heroin addicts shooting up in public get little more than a ticket.

The rise in auto break-in cases is so great that the San Francisco district attorney wants to increase the crime classification of "theft from a vehicle" from a misdemeanor to a felony.

Commercial burglaries now are only considered "shoplifting." The California Department of Justice reports the value of stolen goods in 2016 was $500 million higher than pre-Prop 47.

Overall, Chief Swing says, police are making fewer arrests and the district attorney offices are unable to prosecute the crimes committed. The chief concluded that Prop. 47 has "increased crime, decreased penalties and provided fewer incentives for criminals and addicts to reform."

The Independent Institute awarded Prop 47 their "Golden Fleece Award" for a "state or local agency or government that swindles taxpayers or breaks public trust." It "de-prioritizes justice for California residents and businesses, who now are increasingly victims of vandals and thieves operating with near impunity." Basically, it reversed "decades of improved public safety."

It makes you wonder if anyone in government, on any level, cares?

Another example of California insanity is the law that requires the "micro-stamping" of bullets for handguns.

The idea was that shell casings left at a crime scene would have numbers on them that could be traced to the owner of the gun. The law requires that semiautomatic handguns sold in California have markers on their firing pins so a "fingerprint" is left on each shell casing.

Not surprisingly, the law was challenged and it went to the state Supreme Court that upheld it.

But there's a problem: "The technology to comply with the law does not exist."

The Associated Press summed it up: "The California Supreme Court says state laws cannot be invalidated on the grounds that complying with them is impossible."

What?!?!?!?

The insanity of the mentality of Californians on every level cannot be exaggerated. Whether it is the do-gooders who want to reduce the number of people in jail and decide to do so by reducing the severity of crimes, or those who are so opposed to firearms of any kind that laws are passed to do something that is simply impossible.

It reminds me of what's going on now in the UK. They first banned guns for police; then for citizens. Well, yes, that might reduce the number of gun crimes but what has transpired there now is an epidemic of bloody knife crimes. Criminals and innocents are the victims.

So what is their "solution?" Ban knives for anyone – even someone just having a steak knife. Don't dare go on a picnic with a butter knife or paring knife.

The Poundland Discount chain is so concerned about the increasing knife violence, it has just announced it will stop selling kitchen knives – by the end of the year, in all 850 of its stores!

That mentality isn't far from what is spreading in California. It's not bad enough that the foolish and dangerous laws exist. What's worse is there is no outcry from citizens about how they are being abused and what needs to be done to change it.

Talk about brainwashed liberals!

It's no surprise Donald Trump is president – he represents the possibility of Americans gaining back the freedoms and sanity we once had.

Follow Barbara Simpson on Facebook.