Last Saturday, the Cotati Police Department reported a traffic stop that escalated to an alarming discovery. A Cotati Police Officer, while on traffic enforcement duty, observed a vehicle committing a stop sign violation at about 2:49 AM. The stop led to the encounter with an underage driver who showed clear signs of intoxication. As per the social media post by the Cotati Police Department, the situation intensified when, following the officer's instructions, the young driver was found repeatedly reaching into his sweatshirt pocket, an action he was advised against.
It was during a pat search that unfolded next, where the officer uncovered more than just signs of a night's recklessness; they found a loaded, unserialized handgun in the very pocket that the driver couldn't keep his hands from. While conducting a broader search of the vehicle, a 40-round magazine was also located, further compounding the already grave scenario. According to the Cotati Police Department's report, the underage driver was then arrested and booked into the Sonoma County Jail on multiple charges, including the possession of a loaded, unserialized firearm and a high-capacity magazine.
The charges brought against the individual are severe under California law, reflecting the state's stringent gun regulations. Cited for 25850(a) PC – carrying a loaded, unserialized firearm, and 25400(a)(2) PC – carrying a concealed firearm stand as testament to the legal system's attempt to grapple with the complexity and danger of ghost guns — firearms without traceable serial numbers. Additionally, the charge of 32310(a) PC addresses the possession of high-capacity ammunition, while 23136(a) VC specifically penalizes the driver for his blood alcohol content (BAC) above .01% as someone under the age of 21.
