Over the weekend, Fresno police officers responding to a domestic violence call found two guns; a loaded 38 caliber handgun and a loaded rifle.
53-year-old Jaime Leon was taken into custody. Police say he is a convicted felon and has a warrant for grand theft auto.
Photos of those guns will now become part of a fast-growing mural at the southeast police substation in Fresno, that serves as a daily reminder to officers of the dangers they face ever day.
Fresno police have spent the past few months trying to combat a rise in shootings and murders, with much of the violent crime committed by gang members.
Sgt. Richard DeJong said, "The bulldog gang member status is a red flag for us right now with the Chief's bulldog gang operation."
Police are targeting the most violent gang, the bulldogs, and they're taking weapons away from every gang member they can.
In southeast Fresno, officers post pictures of the guns they've seized, and the wall where the photos are being posted is filling up fast.
Captain Randy Dobbins with the Fresno Police Department said, "We know what we're up against, and we talk about it often, but we really don't feel like the community knows what were up against on a nightly basis, the type of predator that we're coming across."
Captain Dobbins says those predators are armed more than ever before. "We're seeing more criminals not only carrying guns but conceal them in very ingenious ways such as the Super Soaker," said Dobbins. He is referring to a child's toy water gun that was made to conceal a loaded shotgun. It was taken from a convicted felon back in May and it's just one of the pictures on the wall of guns.
Officers see the gun mural every day as they prepare to start their shift. "It's something for them to look at while the Sergeant is sitting up here doing briefing to remind them that it is more violent out there," said Captain Dobbins.
