Local News
Clayton resident entered not guilty plea to illegal gun possession charges
Clayton, California – John King of Clayton entered a not guilty plea on two felony counts related to the possession of assault weapons and one felony count related to the manufacturing or assembling of an unregistered firearm after appearing in Martinez court.
In early January 2022, the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office, along with state and federal authorities, seized 132 guns from King’s home after serving him with a search warrant, according to the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office. The 54-year-old man was a former volunteer with the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office and was being investigated for possessing illegal firearms.
The police also say that they found equipment at his house that could be used to make ghost guns, which are guns that are not registered.
DIY kits include practically all of the components required to manufacture ghost weapons. Those who purchase the kits are often provided with the instructions and parts necessary to finalize the manufacture of fully operational firearms. These untraceable firearms often lack unique serial numbers, which are a legal requirement in the state of California.
According to the authorities, King illegally manufactured or assembled a rifle with a caliber of.22, and he also possessed a firearm with a caliber of.223 and a handgun with a caliber of.556.