By Louise Taylor
4/10/10
It seems there is no rhyme or reason behind Sheriff Adam Christianson’s method of determining if someone should be granted a permit to carry a concealed weapon.A retired Turlock police sergeant has been denied such a permit by both Sheriff Christianson and Turlock Police Chief Gary Hampton.Matt Speckman carried a gun for 30 years as a law enforcement officer.
He has obviously assisted in sending countless criminals to prison. It would seem reasonable that people such as Mr. Speckman might need protection as the years go by and those criminals are released from prison.Mr. Speckman was also the commander of the internal affairs department.
As such, he investigated an officer who chose to resign rather than be terminated. That officer was granted a CCW by Sheriff Christianson, but Mr. Speckman’s was denied.One cause for granting a CCW is the chance that the person applying may become a “victim”.
Mr. Speckman had already been a victim, having arrived at his home to be confronted by two men who broke into his house, found his gun and shot at him with it.Sheriff Christianson has approved two CCW’s for members of Turlock’s City Council.
Does he really believe city council members are more in need of protection that someone who served in law enforcement for 30 years?
Or does he want to “punish” a law enforcement officer who investigated corrupt policemen?
Or is it simply that Mr. Speckman isn’t one of Sheriff Christianson’s buddies?It’s interesting that neither Sheriff Christianson nor Chief Gary Hampton were available to speak to the Modesto Bee about this story.
I invite them both to contact the Voice of Modesto to tell their side of this story and explain to us their decision making process when dealing with concealed weapon permit applications.
