Legislation prohibiting violent felons from owning bullet proof body signed by Governor

PHOTO FROM FILE: State Senator Lou Correa during a press conference at the State Capitol.

Senator Lou Correa,­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ ­ 34th Senate District

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2010
Contact: Lina Hamilton, (916) 651-4034

Legislation Prohibiting Violent Felons to Own Bullet Proof Body Armor Gains Governor’s Signature

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Senate Bill 408 (SB 408) introduced by Senator Alex Padilla (Pacoima) and co-authored by Senator Lou Correa (Orange County) was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This measure revises the definition “body armor” in the James Guelff Act, which was signed into law in 1998. On December 2009, the California’s Second District Court of Appeal ruled that the Act was unconstitutionally vague. The ruling stated that the definition of body armor in the law was too confusing for the average citizen to understand.

“I am very proud to be part of this legislative effort that makes it unlawful again for violent felons to posses any body-armor, such as bullet proof vests and gear,” said Senator Lou Correa. “This new law is a step forward in public safety. It helps to better protect the lives of our law enforcement agents and the public in general.”

The James Guelff Act prohibited violent felons from possessing body armor. This measure was enacted after police officer James Guelff, from San Francisco, was killed in 1994 during a gun battle with a car-jacking suspect wearing full body armor. This firefight involved 120 officers and lasted over half an hour. The suspect was killed by a San Francisco Police Department sniper. In February 1997, two bank robbers wearing full body armor engaged with 350 Los Angeles Police Department officers in an hour long gun battle in North Hollywood. The police officers’ handgun ammunition could not penetrate the body armor the robbers were wearing. Additional back up was called and SWAT officers arrived with higher caliber guns to stop the suspects. During this armed confrontation, 11 police officers and 6 civilians were wounded.

Senator Lou Correa represents the 34th District which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster. # # #

Lina Hamilton
Legislative Aide
Office of Senator Lou Correa, 34th District
(916) 651-4034
lina.hamilton@sen.ca.gov Senator
­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ ­ 34th Senate District

For Immediate Release
June 2, 2010Contact:
Lina Hamilton
(916) 651-4034

Legislation Prohibiting Violent Felons to Own Bullet Proof Body Armor Gains Governor’s Signature

PHOTO FORM FILE: State Senator Lou Correa during a press conference at the State Capitol.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, Senate Bill 408 (SB 408) introduced by Senator Alex Padilla (Pacoima) and co-authored by Senator Lou Correa (Orange County) was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. This measure revises the definition “body armor” in the James Guelff Act, which was signed into law in 1998. On December 2009, the California’s Second District Court of Appeal ruled that the Act was unconstitutionally vague. The ruling stated that the definition of body armor in the law was too confusing for the average citizen to understand.

“I am very proud to be part of this legislative effort that makes it unlawful again for violent felons to posses any body-armor, such as bullet proof vests and gear,” said Senator Lou Correa. “This new law is a step forward in public safety. It helps to better protect the lives of our law enforcement agents and the public in general.”

The James Guelff Act prohibited violent felons from possessing body armor. This measure was enacted after police officer James Guelff, from San Francisco, was killed in 1994 during a gun battle with a car-jacking suspect wearing full body armor. This firefight involved 120 officers and lasted over half an hour. The suspect was killed by a San Francisco Police Department sniper. In February 1997, two bank robbers wearing full body armor engaged with 350 Los Angeles Police Department officers in an hour long gun battle in North Hollywood. The police officers’ handgun ammunition could not penetrate the body armor the robbers were wearing. Additional back up was called and SWAT officers arrived with higher caliber guns to stop the suspects. During this armed confrontation, 11 police officers and 6 civilians were wounded.

Senator Lou Correa represents the 34th District which includes the cities of Anaheim, Buena Park, Fullerton, Garden Grove, Santa Ana, Stanton and Westminster. # # #

Lina Hamilton
Legislative Aide
Office of Senator Lou Correa, 34th District
(916) 651-4034
lina.hamilton@sen.ca.gov