Hometown News Since 1889 Making Communities Better Through Print.™ VOL. CXXX, NO. XLII
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020
pasoroblespress.com • $1.00 • WEEKLY
ESSENTIAL HEROES
Owner Jim Mulhall armed and ready to serve the community’s security needs. Photo by Nicholas Mattson
SHOOTING STRAIGHT
Rooster’s Firearms on security detail during shelter-at-home By NICHOLAS MATTSON nic@pasoroblespress.com
I
n the early onset of the shelter-at-home order by San Luis Obispo County, confusion over essential services put Rooster’s Firearms in the crosshairs. Owner Jim Mulhall shot straight with The Paso Robles Press after Rooster’s Facebook-shamed a lack of fact-finding by Paso Robles Daily News for reposting a questionable Cal Coast News story that suggested Rooster’s was ignoring the County shelter order. Among those deemed essential by San Luis Obispo
COVID-19 UPDATE
SLO County COVID-19 Response Proves Results By NICHOLAS MATTSON nic@pasoroblespress.com SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — As San Luis Obispo County comes together by staying apart, the number of confirmed cases increases at a slower pace than the instances of fully recovered patients. Overnight, from Saturday to Sunday, the number of cases of COVID-19 rose from 67 to 71, while those fully recovered jumped dramatically, from 13 to 24. SLO County Health Officer Penny Borenstein called the growth in number a “modest increase day-over-day.” By Tuesday, the number of recovered cases reached 30 and confirmed cases increased to 80. Like more dramatic statistics around the world, the statistics in SLO County are not reflective of the overall picture of health in the area. The number of confirmed CONTINUED ON PAGE A9
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County, “Licensed firearms retailers” are specified with further clarification by Sheriff Ian Parkinson. The SLO Sheriff ’s office statement included that “… licensed firearms dealers are also a vital and essential business. Citizens have a constitutionally guaranteed right to protect themselves and their loved ones, especially in times of crisis.” “We are very proud of the fact that the County has deemed us an essential service,” Mulhall said. As a result, Rooster’s Firearms in Templeton has been meeting demand for firearms while observing the County orders and recommendations of physical distancing of at least six feet, with signs posted at the front door. “We have been very, very busy,” Mulhall said. “We have up to 10 employees at any time in the shop. At peak times, we have security at the door and allow no more than 15 people in the store at any time, based
on our square footage.” As a licensed firearms retailer and a law enforcement firearms dealer, Rooster’s serves both first-time buyers who need extra help understanding laws and regulations around gun ownership, as well as serving agencies and local peace officers. We take a lot of first-time buyers, and many are surprised they cannot come in and walk out with a firearm,” Mulhall said. The purchase of firearms, including “private-party” purchases, are regulated and must observe laws regarding registration and the involvement of a licensed firearms dealer. What is called a 10-day waiting period includes a background check and the observance of ten 24-hour periods. The purchase at 3 p.m. on a Friday requires waiting until 3 p.m. on the tenth day. “Most of my employees are retired law enforcement and are very proficient with firearms,” Mulhall said.
CITY ROADS
Paso Addresses Road Safety
Multiple car crashes into resident’s backyard cause for concern
PASO ROBLES — In December 2019, the City of Paso Robles received a grant for over $100,000 to perform a roadway safety evaluation from the State of California. The grant is a result of Local Roadway Safety Plans and Systemic Safety Analysis Report Vehicle crash at Creston and Golden Hill roads in Paso Robles. Contributed photo
CITY
City Takes Action on Evictions and TOT Tax Violations of business and residential evictions motivated City of Paso Robles to institute moratorium
tions performed by businesses and residents. The Council also froze penalties and fines for paying Transit Occupancy Tax (TOT) and delay PASO ROBLES — On Friday in an emer- the payment until August 31 at the latest in a gency Council meeting, March 27, the City 4-1 vote, with Councilmember John Hamon of Paso Robles voted to unanimously to instituted a moratorium on certain types of evicCONTINUED ON PAGE A9 By MARK DIAZ mark@pasoroblespress.com
LOCAL NEWS
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NATIONAL
President Trump Signs Historic Relief Package STAFF REPORT
By MARK DIAZ mark@pasoroblespress.com
CONTINUED ON PAGE A9
“We have seen a lot of first-time buyers that come to our shop. We do some training with them after they pick up firearms and encourage them to purchase a gun safe.” According to Mulhall, the predominant interest for gun shoppers and buyers is in handguns, which can be easily concealed and carried. The laws concerning firearms are not common knowledge, and Mulhall said many new gun owners need to know the rules. “We answer questions about transporting firearms and concealed carry,” Mulhall said. “A percentage of people do not realize they cannot walk out with the handgun. They have to have certain requirements, and have a firearms safety certification.” Firearms safety certification test can be done at Rooster’s, and are good for five years, although only
AGRICULTURE
SPORTS
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, authorizing $2.2 trillion in funding for millions who find themselves in financial peril due to the coronavirus pandemic. On Wednesday, March 25, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan bill, which was the third coronavirus relief package passed by Congress. “This bill will provide muchneeded support and relief to workers, families, small businesses, and communities across the country, and it is a significant improvement over the partisan bill initially proposed by Senate Republicans,” Rep. Salud Carbajal said. “On California’s Central Coast, I’ve been speaking with workers, families, small business owners, health professionals, and more, and I’ve been relaying our community’s concerns back to Washington as
ENTERTAINMENT
we work to provide aid.” The CARES Act is the third bipartisan coronavirus relief package passed by Congress. The previous two bills allocate billions in funding for coronavirus relief, including: • Free coronavirus testing for those in need • Extend additional loan support for small businesses, extend unemployment benefits • Enhance food security programs • Fund vaccine research and public health centers The CARES Act adds to national coronavirus relief efforts, including: • $200 billion in hospitals, health systems, health research, and personal protective equipment • $260 billion investment in Unemployment Insurance benefits to match the average paycheck of laid-off or furloughed workers • Increased Medicare telehealth CONTINUED ON PAGE A9
WEATHER
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