Sally Rapoza, Redding

On Jan. 14 I attended a standing-room only event in Anderson, the Shasta-Trinity County Second Amendment forum.

To answer people's questions, both counties' sheriffs were on the panel as well as the Tehama County District Attorney. Several gun rights lobbyists from the Rifle and Pistol Association and a young man from the NRA were also on the panel. Sam Paredes of Gun Owners of California and spokesman for the state of Jefferson Mark Baird were guest speakers.

The citizens had many questions about the new, somewhat confusing California gun laws as well as concerns about what our sheriffs can, or will do, to protect our right to keep and bear arms as well as protect us from the criminal element that is so prevalent in our counties.

From the answers given to the questions asked, it was apparent that law enforcement cannot protect us. In fact, Tehama County Sheriff Dave Hencratt specifically said that we are the first line of defense

If California keeps taking away our rights to do this, what then?

The NRA's and California Gun Owners' tactic is court action and that takes years. Meanwhile, the California Legislature will not stop passing illegal and unconstitutional laws. Why? Because they know no one can stop them.

Our “representatives” can “keep fighting” but it hasn't worked yet. The only one who could offer a real solution was Mark Baird, who said the state of Jefferson would be a constitutional carry Second Amendment state.

Why do we keep doing the same thing over and over expecting different results? The state of Jefferson is the only real solution.

— Sally Rapoza, Redding