Gun shop owner: Business was wronged by news story
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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — The owner of Bear Mountain Sports claims his business suffered potential damage as a result of a news story about a felon who was arrested for allegedly being in possession of assault weapons.
The story aired on Oct. 5. Bakersfield police had gone to the home of Andrew Garcia to investigate a case of check forgery. While searching his house on Gage Street, police said they found 59 weapons, including assault weapons.
Garcia was arrested and charged with being a felon in possession of assault weapons and ammunition.
Eyewitness News talked with neighbors and family members of Garcia and shot video of Garcia's home and a truck parked in the driveway.
The truck had a decal on it that read "Bear Mountain Sports," which was visible from the street. It was also visible on the video that aired that night.
"The obvious implication being that this felon had purchased 59 weapons from Bear Mountain Sports, and that's just not the case," said Loren Kleier, attorney for Gene Thome, owner of Bear Mountain Sports.
Kleier said a few customers have been asking Thome if, in fact, Bear Mountain Sports had sold any guns to Garcia.
"We don't have any people calling and saying, 'I was going to buy a gun from you, but now I'm going to some other place.' But that doesn't mean there haven't been people that thought about coming down here and then saw that article," said Kleier.
In a jailhouse interview, Garcia said he was under the impression that a prior felony conviction had been reduced to a misdemeanor, and he did not know he had done anything wrong.
"I've had (guns) since '77, and I've been collecting them, I've hunted, I just had them at my house," said Garcia.
He also said his arrest is "very embarrassing" for him and his high-profile family. Garcia said he is the brother of former Shafter mayor Fran Florez and uncle to former state senator Dean Florez.
The story aired on Oct. 5. Bakersfield police had gone to the home of Andrew Garcia to investigate a case of check forgery. While searching his house on Gage Street, police said they found 59 weapons, including assault weapons.
Garcia was arrested and charged with being a felon in possession of assault weapons and ammunition.
Eyewitness News talked with neighbors and family members of Garcia and shot video of Garcia's home and a truck parked in the driveway.
The truck had a decal on it that read "Bear Mountain Sports," which was visible from the street. It was also visible on the video that aired that night.
"The obvious implication being that this felon had purchased 59 weapons from Bear Mountain Sports, and that's just not the case," said Loren Kleier, attorney for Gene Thome, owner of Bear Mountain Sports.
Kleier said a few customers have been asking Thome if, in fact, Bear Mountain Sports had sold any guns to Garcia.
"We don't have any people calling and saying, 'I was going to buy a gun from you, but now I'm going to some other place.' But that doesn't mean there haven't been people that thought about coming down here and then saw that article," said Kleier.
In a jailhouse interview, Garcia said he was under the impression that a prior felony conviction had been reduced to a misdemeanor, and he did not know he had done anything wrong.
"I've had (guns) since '77, and I've been collecting them, I've hunted, I just had them at my house," said Garcia.
He also said his arrest is "very embarrassing" for him and his high-profile family. Garcia said he is the brother of former Shafter mayor Fran Florez and uncle to former state senator Dean Florez.
Why didn't this news report mention that garcia is also a member of the florez family.....
Jose Gasparrrrrrrrrr steps in it again.
@Barney Rubble
For the record, I AM NOT Jose Gaspar because:
1.)Â Â Â I donât write with an accent.
2.)Â Â Â What I write is not within the code of ethics for news reporters.
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I AMÂ Mexico-Americano (check it out on YouTube!)
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Soy de la Raza Noble; La Raza de Oro.
(I am of the Noble Race; The Golden Race).
Â
@life's a charge @Barney Rubble Thats a matter of opinion
Americans and their "right to bear arms". Hahaha.
Jim.
We liked it so much we wrote it in our Constitution as an enumerated right! I'm sure it had something to do with the tyranny they had just gotten out from under and these newfangled ideas of Freedom, Liberty and self-determination that was going around then.
But hay, if it makes you uncomfortable feel free to move someplace else where those scary ideas are a little more...restricted. Â
This looks like a new TV show to me, "All In The Family Againâ. "Archieâ Garcia thinks its OK for a convicted felon to âBear Assault Riflesâ. What a tool head!  Does that run in the Family? Another tool head across town thinks he may have lost âpotential businessâ because his decal was video taped for the new story, thereby implicating him as the seller of the rifles in âArchieâsâ possession. This is better than what is already on TV. This is better than âGeneral Hospitalâ! Canât wait to see what the outcome is going to be. I'm riveted!! Life is a charge!
@life's a charge  I'm the tool head that may have lost business. I have a reputation and a business to protect. If you can't understand that then maybe you are..... dare I say....."A Meat Head" lol Sorry, this tool head is just having a little fun!
@Bear Mountain Sports
Well, Iâm glad you donât see me as a âmeat headâ (I think??). I donât have to worry about being gunned down for the meat on my head. Besides, my head would not look good as a trophy in your store. It would drive customers away!
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Which brings me to another bandwagon.
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Folks, you donât have to go out of your way for sporting goods, because:
a.)Â Â Â There may be hungry bears, deer and antelope playing there.
b.)Â Â Â Itâs too expensive to drive out there, what with the prices of gasoline.
c.)   You are going to find sporting goods MUCH CHEAPER in town! (Walmart, K-Mart, Big Five, etc). Check it out!
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 @life's a charge  @Bear Mountain Sports Just where is Bear Mountain Sports?  I like to go where people know what we are talking about (that ain't Walmart, K-Mart and too frequently even Big-5.)
Looks like free advertisement to me.