Califorian arrested for CA legal AR-style rifles

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New updated link:



http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/forumdisplay.php?f=116

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Jeez, I just read the entire 31 page thread. Sounds like a railroad job on the surface. Guess we'll have to wait for some actual facts to come out.

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Update: Arrested "Ca Legal AR"owner has high powered Cal. 2nd Amendment attorney. Arraignment delayed 2 weeks.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=56722

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Thanks for the update. I am very interested in seeing how this turns out. Whew that's a lot of reading.

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http://www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_5790012

Corwin, described by acquaintances as a high-achieving student, was the Associated Student Union president at ELAC. He also founded Students for the Second Amendment, a gun enthusiast and advocacy club...

Staff members of the college's campus newspaper, the Campus News, said they had had an adversarial relationship with Corwin and described him as a "loose canon." They declined to give their names, citing safety concerns. They noted that before last week, "we've always had our doors open." Now, they said, the newsroom is locked at all times...


James Santana, 19, ASU vice president, said Corwin was elected vice president of the student organization at the beginning of the current academic year...

Santana described Corwin as "outspoken and opinionated," but said he has never heard Corwin make any threats of violence. "I know it's a big issue, but I think it's been taken out of context," he said. "I never felt he was a threat."

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http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=595169#post595169

Free Matthew Corwin! by WolfMansDad @ calguns.net


Wrongfully accused, wrongfully imprisoned, and held for days without even being charged, Matthew Corwin is now a sad testimony to a climate of fear.

In this post-9/11 era, and especially after the recent tragedies at Virginia Tech, it is perhaps natural for people to be afraid. Fear can be a good thing. It keeps us alive and unhurt, prompting us to use another ATM machine, for example, when a group of thugs hangs around your first choice after dark, casting furtive glances at you as you walk by. But fear can consume you, too, and it can grow into a monster. If you were frightened by a young black man in baggy pants outside your ATM machine, would it be right for you to attack - or arrest - a black student on his way to class in the middle of the day? What if he were wearing baggy pants? Can you justify doing that to someone, just because you were frightened by the way they looked? What if this young man, who turns out to be the class president and had committed no crime, were arrested by the police? Would you be angry? Would you feel a sense of injustice? If you wouldn't, you need to have a long talk with yourself.

Yet this is exactly what was done to Matthew Corwin. President of the Associated Student Body at East L. A. College, military veteran, and part-time MP in the US Army Reserve, Matthew was arrested last week on suspicion of having illegal weapons. You see, in addition to his other interests, Matthew is also a gun-rights advocate. That's right, he has guns. He likes guns. He has lots of friends who like guns, and they go target shooting together on weekends. He is no brooding loner or psychopath. He is just different enough to get noticed. And get noticed he did, when he posted pictures of himself and his friends holding their guns on myspace.

Liking guns is not a crime. Having guns is not a crime. Wearing baggy pants is not a crime. It's true, there are some guns that we, as ordinary citizens, are not allowed to have. But Matthew knows these laws. He knows what is and is not legal, and he and his friends work hard to stay within the law. What they do not do is hide. They are not "in the closet" about their hobby. With them, what you see is what you get.

Last Thursday night, Matthew paid for that honesty, that openness, with his freedom. He didn't hurt anybody. He didn't threaten anybody. He just frightened somebody by being himself.

And now he is in jail. His bond is set at $365,000, so he will not be leaving any time soon. Adding insult to injury, he is prohibited from going within 100 yards of his school's campus, if he manages to get out of jail, or from contacting anyone there. How will he pass his classes and finish the term? Who will do his duties as student body president? Was he a threat to anyone, the next Virginia Tech shooter? Of course not. Ask any of his numerous friends, and they will tell you he was not.

Don't let this fear grow into a monster. Free Matthew Corwin.

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Well, I'm sure this happens in California all the time. I'm sure he'll get off, but it's gonna cost him alot of money.

I did find it interesting that the calguns people found out that saw blades are considered illegal throwing stars according to the law. (And couldn't stop laughing when someone posted the "garden weasel")

Obviously the California government has seen how dangerous throwing stars are in Upright Citizens Brigade...

Of course, the ninjas blame Pat Morita...

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If you like to build AR Rifles, "TenPercentFirearms" in Kern County, CAis having a special sale to raise money for Matthew Corwin's fight against CA's assault weapon laws. $50 of every purchase of a stripped lower goes to Matt's defense! Here is the link:

http://www.tenpercentfirearms.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=296&zenid=732e0d70acba5655d08a7ac1694c00de




Matt is a good man. He founded the Students for the 2nd Amendment at East LA College and is a US Army veteran.

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Legal Defense Fund Started:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=57189

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Very vair (consideringthe spin they could have used)local LA, Ca.CBS news report on Matthew Corwin's arrest.

http://cbs2.com/video/?id=38582@kcbs.dayport.com&cid=71

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FROM MAY 9TH:

Thank you everyone for your interest in, and contributions to, Matthew Corwin’s defense.

We have been working diligently to contest all of the charges, and have been particularly focused of late demonstrating the invalidity the 1919 related charges (5 counts of illegal importation, 1count of illegal possession) to the DA with the ATF and Cal DOJ approval letters we provided.

These are the charges that primarily resulted in bail being posted so high.

We are now happy to say that we expect the DA to move to drop at least those 1919 counts, hopefully as soon as tomorrow.

With these counts dismissed, we hope to have Matthew out on bail, or OR, within a few days.

We can then focus on the remaining counts – several of which involve the OLL / “detachable” mag issue.

Thank you again for your interest and assistance.

C. D. Michel

Managing Partner
TRUTANICH-MICHEL, LLP
Attorneys at Law
Los Angeles Office
180 East Ocean Blvd., Suite 200
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: 562-216-4441
Fax: 562-216-4445
Email: cmichel@tmllp.com
Website: http://www.tmllp.com
Gun law info: http://www.calgunlaws.com






AND TODAY:

latimes.com
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...nes-california
6 charges dropped in student gun case
By Richard Winton
Times Staff Writer

May 15, 2007

The Los Angeles County district attorney's office on Monday dropped six of the most serious assault weapons charges against the student body president at East Los Angeles College after federal officials advised that some of the firearms recently found at his Monterey Park home were legal.

Matthew Corwin, 23, was arrested April 30 on suspicion of a variety of weapons violations and possession of stolen property two weeks after the massacre at Virginia Tech, after students and faculty members sent sheriff's officials Corwin's MySpace page address. The Web page showed him dressed in fatigues and holding various weapons.

Corwin was originally charged with five counts of unlawful assault-weapon sales, four counts of unlawful possession of assault weapons, two counts of possession of a deadly weapon and one count of receiving stolen property. But prosecutors dismissed half their case Monday.

"After further investigation by the [Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives] they determined that the Browning machine .30-caliber was lawful. So we dismissed six counts today," said Jane Robison, the district attorney's spokeswoman.

"The remaining six counts will be prosecuted," she added.

Chuck Michel, Corwin's attorney, said his client was targeted in a post-Virginia Tech environment.

"The only thing he is guilty of is indiscretion and bad timing," Michel said.

Michel said Corwin is a student but also an injured one-time military police officer once assigned to dignitary protection who had planned to return to active duty as an Army investigator.

Michel said Corwin had expected to be reactivated as part of the Army's investigations division and be sent to Iraq as soon as this month.

Inside Corwin's home last month, detectives found a military ID, a bulletproof vest, a military-issue chemical weapons suit, a throwing knife and several military-style rifles.

But Michel, an attorney known for his 2nd Amendment work, said most of remaining gun charges involve whether a detachable magazine is legal on certain types of weapons and whether a four-bladed knife and gloves with weights amount to illegal deadly weapons.

Michel said Corwin never received any stolen property from the military.

Corwin has served as associate student body president at the college since last fall after leading the campus' 2nd Amendment Club.

A judge on Monday reduced Corwin's bail from $365,000 to $120,000. But as of Monday evening he remained in custody.

richard.winton@latimes.com

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Good news, thanks for the update. I am concerned 'they' made such a big to do about this they will charge him with something even if everything else is determined to be BS also.

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I think it is safe to call Matt a Political Prisonerlocked upina Kalifornia Republik gulag!

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The LAC DA appears to be quite incompetent. It's amazing how blithely they throw around charges when somebody's life and liberty is at stake.

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FROM MATT'S ATTORNEY:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=58355

Corwin Case Update - May 17, 2007 / 3:45PM PST

On Monday, May 14, 2007, Matthew Corwin’s bail was reduced from $365,000 to $120,000 after the District Attorney agreed to drop six of the most serious assault weapons charges against Mr. Corwin. This was due in part to Trutanich-Michel, LLP’s success in convincing the government that the 1919 firearms (and the counts related to those firearms) are not illegal.

A hearing to further reduce bail or allow an OR release was set as soon as possible, for Tuesday May 23, 2007. Arraignment is set for Tuesday May 29, 2007.

Rather than wait for the hearing on the 23rd, on the afternoon of the 14th, Trutanich-Michel began diligent efforts to take steps necessary to allow property to be posted instead of cash bail for Mr. Corwin. This approach eliminates the need to post a bail bond, which would have cost 10% of the bail amount, or $12,000.00.

To post property for bail numerous documents were are needed to satisfy the Court, including: a notarized promissory note pledging an interest in property double the amount of bail ($240,000), a notarized and recorded Deed of Trust naming the County as trustee and beneficiary under the note, an appraisal from a certified and insured appraisal company, a title insurance policy insuring the County’s interest in the property, fire insurance on the property naming the County as loss payee, along with other legal documents including an application to the Court and an order to be signed by the Judge allowing Mr. Corwin to post property instead of cash bail.

On Monday afternoon, the promissory note and deed of trust were signed. Insurance documents were received and the appraisal was completed . Trutanich-Michel drafted all the required legal documents to file with the Court. On Tuesday morning, May 15, 2007, the deed of trust was recorded with the County. The preliminary title report was issued by the title company that afternoon. All other documents necessary to procure the title insurance were processed and submitted by Tuesday evening. The title insurance was issued on Wednesday. Due to Trutanich-Michel’s working relationship with the title insurance company, they did us a favor and expedited the process dramatically. The process of obtaining all the necessary documentation in this instance was expedited from at a minimum of two weeks to under three days due to Trutanich-Michel’s connections at the title company and its appeal to title regarding the urgency of the situation. One reputable bail company previously quoted Trutanich-Michel three weeks to complete this process.

The documents were hand delivered to the court by an attorney with Trutanich-Michel on Thursday morning, May 17, 2007. Upon receiving the documents, the Clerk stated this particular application was” one of the most well put together” applications she had ever seen. (Interestingly, the Clerk told us that the last one they received was from Phil Spector’s attorneys which was not nearly as well put together - Spector’s attorneys were required to continually resubmit the application due to the problems with it).

With some cajoling, pleading, and groveling at the Clerk’s office (we know how to do that when it gets us what our clients need) Mr. Corwin’s application was sent for immediate hearing. The Judge signed the order allowing Mr. Corwin to post equity in the property as bail. It is expected that Mr. Corwin will be released either later today or tomorrow.


Thank you to everyone who has contributed to Mr. Corwins defense so far, and especially Matthew's mother Karen, who's love for and pride in her son is an inspriation to us.


We will continue to work hard for Matt, and look forward to having him out of custody to help us more directly in our efforts on his behalf.

C. D. Michel
Managing Partner
TRUTANICH-MICHEL, LLP
Attorneys at Law
Los Angeles Office
180 East Ocean Blvd., Suite 200
Long Beach, CA 90802
Phone: 562-216-4441
Fax: 562-216-4445
Email: cmichel@tmllp.com
Website: http://www.tmllp.com
Gun law info: http://www.calgunlaws.com

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LA County Jail web sight shows Matthew has been released on a $240,000 property bond!

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Great news, thanks for the updates League.

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http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_6015596


Student denies gun charges
Monterey Park man enters not-guilty plea
By Dan Abendschein Staff Writer


ALHAMBRA - An East Los Angeles College student pleaded not guilty to six weapons counts on Tuesday.

Matthew Corwin, 23, was arrested last month after students and faculty alerted authorities to pictures of Corwin holding and firing multiple firearms on a Web site.

Corwin was the Associated Student Union president at the school, and also founded a gun enthusiast's club called Students for the Second Amendment.

He was charged withthree counts of possession of an assault weapon, two counts of possession of a deadly weapon, and one count of receiving stolen property.

Corwin initially faced 12 counts of weapons possession, and of sales of illegal weapons, but six charges were dropped after investigators determined that his Browning machine .30-caliber was legal.

The weapons found at his Monterey Park home that were alleged to be illegal were an AK-47, two AR-15s, a throwing star, and a pair of sap gloves, which are leather gloves with steel in the knuckles.

Corwin's lawyer, Chuck Michel, claims that investigators who initially believed Corwin was a threat to students on campus, now realize he is nothing more than a gun enthusiast.

"Any notion that Corwin was a danger to anyone at the school has been done away with," said Michel. Corwin was arrested about two weeks after the Virginia Tech shootings that killed 32 people.


Michel said that Corwin's case now rests on determining whether the weapons he possessed were legal. Michel has filed a motion with the court to let an expert examine the weapons to make the determination.

The legality of the AK-47 and AR-15s hinge on whether a detachable magazine is legal on the weapons Corwin possessed, according to Michel.

Michel also said that it was unclear what the gloves were, suggesting they might have been intended for weight lifting.

Corwin, who is out of police custody on $120,000 bail, is asking the East Los Angeles College administration to return to school next semester. A former military police officer, he may go to Iraq instead, depending how his case turns out.

Corwin expected to be reinstated to active duty service and sent to Iraq this summer, according to Michel.

Several blogs devoted to gun-owners' rights and other Second Amendment issues have rallied to Corwin's defense.

"Wrongfully accused, wrongfully imprisoned, and held for days without even being charged, Matthew Corwin is now a sad testimony to a climate of fear," reads a post that has appeared on several blog sites.

The message originated at the calguns.net Web site, which Corwin used to post to.

The site also advertises a legal defense fund set up by Corwin's attorney to help pay his legal fees.

A preliminary hearing in the case will be held July 11 at the Alhambra Courthouse.

dan.abendschein@sgvn.com

(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2105

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Read this thread and Please help by sending any dollar amount!



By Wolfmansdad at calguns.net

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?p=706142&posted=1#post706142



Corwin/BlackwaterOPS update 08/09/07


The best attorneys do most of their work outside of court, and Trutanich-Michel have been working tirelessly on Matt's behalf, first to expedite the process of posting bail and get him out of jail, and then to point out to the DA's office that 1919s are, in fact, perfectly legal and not grounds for a series of felony charges. They are currently working with the DA's office in preparation for the August 15 hearing, the details of which will be released next week.

This process, unfortunately, does not happen fast, and good lawyers are not cheap. When this began, we didn't know how much it was going to cost to fight, and we didn't know how much the calguns community could raise.

At this point, the bill looks like it's going to be about $38,000. This includes the retainer fee, so if the case is resolved soon it might end up being less. If it drags on, it could be more.

The good news is that, as of this writing, calgunners have contributed $17,665. Most of that is from a lot of guys and gals each sending in a $100 check, and most of them offered to contribute the same amount again later if it was needed.

Matt needs about $15,000 more. He has $5,000 from other sources which, added to the nearly $18,000 calgunners contributed, leaves him needing about $15,000. I am sending a second check, equal to the amount I sent in May. If everybody else here does the same and matches their May contribution, we should easily meet this goal.

Also, Matt's mom has a car she wants to sell to help cover his legal bills. If anyone is interested in a 1993 BMW 750, PM me and I will provide details.

Many thanks to all of you who contributed already! Please keep the contributions coming. There have been a lot of positive developments in this case since Matt's arrest, but it's not over yet.

Checks should be made out to "Trutanich-Michel Trust Fund," and list on the subject/memo line "Matthew Corwin Legal Defense Fund." Send them to

Trutanich-Michel LLP
180 E. Ocean Blvd., Ste 200
Long Beach, CA 90802

If you have questions, you can contact the firm at

Tel (562) 216-4444
Fax (562) 216-4445
[url]http://www.tmllp.com[/url]


WMD

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Information on Ca Legal AR and AK type rifles (that are not CA assault weapons):

http://www.paul.net/guns/CaliforniaRifles.pdf