A deadly confrontation unfolded Sunday night on Santa Monica’s popular Third Street Promenade, highlighting the intense challenges store owners face amid strict California gun laws.
According to KCAL News, the incident occurred after hours when a sneaker shop owner arranged a private shopping session. Minutes into the appointment, an accomplice forced his way through a back entrance and assaulted the store owner with a chemical irritant. Amid the struggle, the owner drew his legally owned firearm and shot the intruder, fatally wounding him.
“He took care of things and defended himself and his store, his family, by using his gun,” said John Alle, who owns the building where the incident occurred. Alle noted that the store owner was understandably shaken but unharmed.
Santa Monica police responded swiftly, arriving within two minutes of the 911 call, but the intruder succumbed to his injuries. Authorities arrested the individual who initially arranged the private shopping session, suspecting he was complicit in the botched robbery.
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Local police emphasize the isolated nature of this incident, stating that although aggravated assaults have decreased, robberies targeting businesses have risen. Yet, Alle believes crime figures don’t fully capture the reality local businesses face.
“A lot of retailers are giving up,” Alle explained. “If they report crimes and theft, they’ll lose their insurance.”
California and Los Angeles County have some of the nation’s strictest gun laws, historically making firearm ownership for self-defense exceedingly difficult for store owners and private citizens. This incident in Santa Monica underscores a critical argument from Second Amendment advocates: lawful firearm ownership can mean the difference between life and death during dangerous encounters.
The store owner continues to cooperate with authorities as the investigation proceeds.
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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“California and Los Angeles County have some of the nation’s strictest gun laws, historically making firearm ownership for self-defense exceedingly difficult for store owners and private citizens.”
I’m a resident of the city of Los Angeles (actual city, not county or nearby cities like Culver City, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, etc) and I have a CCW from the LAPD. I’ve had it for 2 years and I just renewed it for another two.
At one time it was nearly impossible for an Angeleno to acquire a CCW, but after Bruen, LAPD removed the good cause requirement, which made it possible for ordinary citizens to apply for and receive CCW’s.
Tired of the crimes, high taxes, high gas prices, food prices, energy prices, fires that burn out of control because you don’t have the infrastructure to fight them, drug addicts sleeping and shitt’n in the streets – overall lawlessness? Then quite voting in the same communist/socialist asshole that could careless about you. And for that reason I have no sympathy for anyone living in The Peoples Republic Of Kalifornistan.
There’s more Republicans and NRA members in Cali than 40 other states. They’re just outnumbered by criminal sympathizers and nanny-state morons.
Among the population in California are tens of thousands of military members that should NOT be forsaken to the tyranny of the left. Sure, wondering which state in the union is so great that LJ feels so secure with his current position on the planet?
Any state that isn’t on the communist/socialist “left coast” makes me feel secure in my “current position on the planet”. Could it be you live on that left coast and you DON’T feel secure with YOUR “current position on the planet?” If so – move. If you voted these assholes politicians into office that have destroyed one of our greatest states, like that dirt-bag governor of yours, you’re part of the problem. Just saying …
Not that long ago, I wrote reply to a post by you, where I specified which state that I reside. Whether you read the post or NOT, I went on record. Yes, the state is a top five 2A offender in the nation but not Ca, I am over 2000 miles east. I was however stationed at Camp Pendleton back when George Deukmejian was governor, when did you start writing off whole states? Wait, never mind.
I posted a number of points in a response to you before and will not bother again. But I will respond to a few more recent statements by you.
“…you’re part of the problem.” -LJ
It takes a lot of suppositions to make statements like the ones you have made. You look down on millions of 2A supporters because the current political circumstances where they live. If I am “part of the problem” then does that make you part of the solution? I find those two suggestions hard to believe. Let’s take a look at what else you have recently stated to settle the issue.
“If so – move.” -LJ
Oh, just cut and run? Abandon Ca. and keep moving whenever the left gains a foothold. How many states have you fled after the left has taken over? Or maybe you just got lucky and was born in New Hampshire and never left the state? Without a doubt, I am concerned about my position on the planet. I figured in all 50 states plus DC; there is some level of a threat. What do people call the mystical wonderland where you live?
Maybe it sounds silly to you, but I believe that the 2A cause will need all serious supporters, you just write people off. I believe the 2A cause will always need to show both a regional and national support, you write off whole states. Are you starting to understand who actually “part of the problem.” I will try to help you understand this question one more by looking at the most dismissive words you wrote yet.
“I have no sympathy for anyone living in The Peoples Republic Of Kalifornistan.”
Hey way to support those in the military who were issued orders to report to Ca. Way to support those in Ca. who support the 2A but cannot afford to run away. Way to support those who stay and fight behind enemy lines. You got a lot of attitudes left would love to see other adopt, good thing few 2A supporters think like you.
It’s not me that’s “part of the problem.”
Get it now, LJ?
You feel better? 😂
Cheers, that was your best move.