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The Times podcast: The judge who likes to overturn gun laws

Judge Roger Benitez prayer candles
Prayer candles available online contain an image of federal Judge Roger Benitez as “St. Benitez” with a robe, halo and AR-15. Benitez’s rulings overturning key portions of California’s gun control laws have made him famous in some gun interest circles.
(Al Seib / Los Angeles Times)
By Denise Guerra
, Kasia Broussalian and David Toledo
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Listen to this episode of The Times:

U.S. District Judge Roger Benitez is known for overturning gun bans. Derided and hailed in equal measures, he’s now presiding over a case with far-reaching consequences.

Today, we talk about his history and impact. Read the full transcript here.

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Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guests: L.A. Times enterprise reporter Laura J. Nelson

More reading:

The judge upending California’s gun laws: ‘Blessed’ jurist or ‘stone-cold ideologue’?

Thanks to the Supreme Court, California gun cases hinge more on history than modern threats

War on California gun laws revs up after Supreme Court’s ‘right to carry’ decision

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About The Times

“The Times” is produced by Denise Guerra, Kasia Broussalian, David Toledo and Ashlea Brown. Our editorial assistants are Roberto Reyes and Nicolas Perez. Our engineers are Mario Diaz, Mark Nieto and Mike Heflin. Our fellow is Helen Li. Our editor is Kinsee Morlan. Our executive producers are Jazmin Aguilera, Heba Elorbany and Shani Hilton. And our theme music is by Andrew Eapen.
Podcasts CaliforniaPoliticsThe Times PodcastCalifornia Politics
Denise Guerra

Former Los Angeles Times staffer Denise Guerra was a senior producer and co-creator of the news podcast “The Times.” Guerra graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from UCLA and a master’s in journalism from USC. She previously was a community liaison with the city of Los Angeles on transportation, housing and bridge projects. Guerra also has worked at Marketplace, KPCC and NPR, where she helped launch the Saturday edition of the “Up First” podcast and produced music segments, covered BLM protests at the White House and filed this story to find out how her grandfather ended up in San Quentin prison. Born and raised in California, you can find her surfing, hiking or snowboarding.

Kasia Broussalian

Kasia Broussalian is a former senior producer on the news podcast, “The Times.” Prior to joining the Los Angeles Times, Broussalian managed the multimedia efforts of Project Syndicate, first from the Czech Republic and later from New York City. She was the founding producer of the “Opinion Has It” podcast, as well as the “Short Cut” explainer video series. Broussalian started her journalism career as a photographer and videographer for the Boulder Daily Camera and has been recognized by the Hearst Journalism Awards program and Eddie Adams Barnstorm Workshop.

David Toledo

David Toledo is a former podcast producer for the Los Angeles Times. During his tenure, he produced captivating stories that aligned with the publication’s priorities for their flagship news podcast “The Times.” Notably, he spearheaded the show’s entertainment news and LGBTQ+ coverage.

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