By Donna Beth Weilenman
Staff Reporter
A Rio Vista man has been jailed after Benicia police accused him of two firearms violations following a traffic stop in a residential area.
Lt. Frank Hartig said Thursday that Traffic Officer Mark Simonson was watching for speeders in the 700 block of Military East on Wednesday morning when he saw a Ford pickup truck traveling about 40 mph in a posted 25 mph zone.
Simonson followed the truck and made a traffic stop in the 1300 block of Hayes Street just after 7 a.m., Hartig said.
When the motorist opened the truck’s center console to retrieve his registration and insurance papers, Hartig said, Simonson saw the handle of a handgun in the open compartment.
Simonson ordered the man out of his vehicle, Hartig said, and the man was taken into custody without incident.
When the truck was searched, police found a Ruger Super Blackhawk .480 magnum revolver that was loaded with six rounds, Hartig said.
In addition, a Ruger Blackhawk .357 magnum revolver, also loaded with six rounds, was found on the floorboard under the driver’s seat, he said.
The driver, who said he was on his way to work in Benicia, said he possessed the handguns for protection, Hartig said.
The man, identified as Murry B. Hayward, 61, was arrested and charged with possession of a concealed firearm in a vehicle and possession of a loaded firearm in public.
He was taken to Solano County Jail in Fairfield, according to Hartig and county jail records.
“Although this was a ‘routine traffic stop’ that police officers make every day, it clearly illustrates the potential danger this officer could have faced under different circumstances,” Hartig said in a news release.
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The driver will be paying the price for breaking the law. We don’t know this driver’s past, but not every person with a gun has ill intentions.
With such an increase in crime and reduction of police services due to the failing economy, many responsible citizens should be allowed the privilege to arm themselves outside the home. Unfortunately, CA makes it almost impossible for law abiding citizens to obtain a concealed carry permit in most urban counties.
California is one of the few states left that does not permit concealed carry permits to law abiding citizens. Crime has decreased in states that have these permits. So come on guys and sheriffs, give us a break. It just may surprise you how constructive it can be.