No, it was not "stolen from a ranger". It was left in an unattended vehicle, in violation of CA law.
It makes no difference under CA law that his vehicle was locked and the gun out of sight. Officer is still guilty of a felony.
There is so much wrong here.
You or I would be doing hard time for this. That is not acceptable.
It was left in an unattended vehicle, in violation of CA law.
But I believe you are mistaken here. Nearly all California firearms law has exceptions for sworn law enforcement officers. The BLM agent is a sworn law enforcement officer.
I picked up on that also. I don’t think you should ever leave a gun locked in a car if avoidable and this is especially true for a LEO vehicle. I think I’d conceal it on my person and invade a “no firearms” zone before I would leave it in the car. Unless I was going to a courthouse or other place with metal detectors and strict laws. Then, I’d leave it in the car for as short a time as possible. I’d try to remember to put it in the trunk before I left to get there.
The Bureau of Land MisManagement ranger got a promotion a few months later. This is how the land grab agencies operate, mediocrity and especially flat-out incompetence are always greatly rewarded. Screw up in one federal land area, and you are always promoted from within, or to another park, forest, land area.
Actually, most are Democrats.
Common sense tells us that the shooter stole the Sig, pointed it at innocent people and pulled the trigger.
But common sense is an endangered species in CA.