America or England?

I remember waking up the morning they passed the so-called "Assault Weapons Ban" in California, and thinking I had awakened in the USSR. Well, the USSR is gone but that unconstitutional affront to freedom is still on the books. Now comes this case from Oakland of a man defending himself and his family. He was accosted by a mob of young toughs on his own lawn. When one of them went to draw a gun, he shot the assailant in the arm. So what does he get in return?

McCullough was arrested on suspicion of felony assault and is free on $15, 000 bail. Prosecutors are deciding whether to file charges against him or any of his assailants. McCullough has no criminal record and does not need a permit to keep the gun, which he purchased legally, on his property.

"I expect we'll be making a decision next week," said Deputy District Attorney Jim Lee.

If the DA decides to press charges, it'll be official: We're living in England. And, if so, just why did anybody bother with that little ruckus in 1776?