Eyewitness News Investigates: Flaws Within California’s Gun Confiscation Program
Eyewitness News Investigates a controversial state gun confiscation program that went online back in 2007. It’s mission is to take guns away from criminals and those with severe mental illness. Recently, the program launched a local man into the spotlight.After taking a closer look at the program, we found several mistakes that have been made along the way, as well as flaws that have been documented by state officials.In the quiet Southern California neighborhood of Upland, Lynette Phillips lives a quiet, ordinary life. But in the spring of 2013, it was interrupted by a loud knock on the door. Phillips was greeted by police officers.Phillips says, “It was traumatizing.”And shocking for the retired nurse, now a stay at home grandma, who’d never been in trouble before.“My first thought was ‘oh no what did my kid do.’ “The officers were there for one thing.“They were looking for the guns, because one was registered to me.”Phillips didn’t know yet, but her name was listed in California’s Armed and Prohibited Persons Systems. She was now considered someone who wasn’t allowed to own, or be around, firearms. So, all of her husband’s guns were confiscated, but not before being laid out on the front porch for neighbors to see.“It was scary, embarrassing.”Rewind to a night three months earlier. Phillips, who tells us she suffers from depression and anxiety, had an adverse reaction while switching anti-depressant medications. So, she checked herself into a local mental health hospital for some quick relief.Phillips says, “The first thing I said to her is I just want you to know that I am not a threat to myself or to anyone, I just can’t stop crying. Then she started asking me some really bizarre questions.”
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