Biden declares California a major disaster area

(The Center Square) — California has been declared a “Major Disaster” area by President Biden.

The declaration comes as ongoing rain and extensive damage continues in the state that saw 47 counties in a “storm state of emergency.”

Gov. Gavin Newsom had requested the declaration in a March 28 letter, which highlighted the devastation in California’s Central Coast, Southern California, the San Joaquin Valley, Sierra Foothills and throughout the state.

“California continues to recover from multiple, consecutive disasters that warranted and received emergency declarations and major disaster declarations,” the request said. “Now, due to the damage caused by the Late Winter Storms…I am requesting a Major Disaster Declaration..”

The White House announcement means that the state can get continued support for its ongoing response and recovery efforts, with the state and local governments assuming all applicable nonfederal shared costs as required by the Stafford Act.

“This declaration brings in more vital resources as we continue to work in lockstep with local, state and federal partners to support communities that have been turned upside down by these storms,” said Gov. Newsom.

Housing assistance, food aid, counseling, and medical and legal services will be made available to eligible Californians by the declaration.

“First responders and state personnel are on the ground in hard-hit regions across California to assist the ongoing response and recovery,” Gov. Newsom said. “We are committed to supporting our communities over the long haul and thank the Biden administration for their continued partnership.” California Department of

Social Services through its Rapid Response Fund will deploy disaster relief services to illegal immigrants and communities that are ineligible for FEMA individual assistance.

“Selected local partners will announce details once they receive their funding awards and can begin providing services,” a news release from the governor’s office stated.

The declaration facilitates the California National Guard and other state personnel in the mobilization of food, water, sandbags, cots and other commodities to areas in need; and the provision of equipment and personnel to assist in the fortification of levees, clearing of debris and snow from roadways, medical support at shelters, and staffing support for local assistance centers.

Business proprietors and residents in the named counties can begin applying for assistance by registering www. disasterassistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-3362 or 1-800-462-7585 TTY.

California firearms cops seized 1,400 guns, 280,000 rounds of ammo last year

By TOM JOYCE THE CENTER SQUARE CONTRIBUTOR

(The Center Square) — The California Department of Justice seized more than 1,400 firearms, 50 ghost guns, 300 large capacity magazines and 280,000 rounds of ammunition, reported state Attorney General Rob Bonta in releasing the 2022 Armed and Prohibited Persons System annual program report this week.

California became the first state in the country to establish a tracking system for firearm owners who end up in a prohibited status.

The database identified who obtained firearms and later became banned from legally owning them. No other state has a system of this kind.

People on the list are generally those convicted of a felony or violent misdemeanor, were placed under domestic violence or other restraining order, or have a mental illness, according to a news release from Attorney General Bonta’s office.

The California Department of Justice recovered 1,437 firearms, including 712 handguns.

Ghost gun seizures have ticked up in recent years. The APPS program seized 54 ghost guns, a 38% increase from 2021 and a 575% increase since 2018.

Additionally, agents seized 308 large-capacity magazines, 2,123 standard-capacity magazines, and 281,299 rounds of ammunition through APPS enforcement.