California

500 Guns Seized by California Officials Returned to Owner

The California Department of Justice says it returned 500 firearms to a man who had them seized after authorities realized he was barred from possessing weapons for mental illness reasons.

The Fresno Bee reports Tuesday that after a lengthy court battle, the firearms that were taken in 2015 were returned to 59-year-old Albert Sheakalee of Clovis. Lawyer Mark Coleman says although no charges were ever filed against Sheakalee, his firearms were not returned until he took the matter to court.

Coleman says DOJ agents told him they had 180 days after the charges were resolved to ask for the weapons. After several unsuccessful attempts to reach the agents, Coleman says he was told weapons would not be returned.

A Fresno court judge ordered the guns to be turned over to a local firearms dealer on behalf of the family in December.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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