Richmond man who threatened medical staff charged for massive cache of weapons

(KRON) — A Richmond man who was arrested after authorities allegedly found a massive artillery of guns and ammunition in his home was charged with 21 felonies, the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday. The man was identified as 68-year-old Lawrence Robert Hansen.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced in February that nearly a dozen military-style machine guns, 60 assault rifles and approximately 1 million rounds of ammunition were uncovered in a search of Hansen’s home.

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The following weapons were seized from the home:

• 11 military-style machine guns

• 60 assault rifles

• 37 rifles

• 7 shotguns

• 133 handguns

• Several suspected grenades

• 20 silencers

• 4 flare guns

• 3,000 large-capacity magazines

• Approximately 1 million rounds of various caliber ammunition

• Dozens of rifle receivers and pistol frames

Hansen was banned from owning or possessing firearms before the search, the DA’s office said. He was arrested March 17.

The DA’s office said that Hansen made “several violent firearm-related threats” to staffers at a Walnut Creek medical clinic in 2022 and 2023. The threats were reported to the Walnut Creek Police Department on Sept. 18, 2023.

In a separate incident, Hansen was taken to a Walnut Creek hospital on Sept. 26, 2023, for a medical issue. While he was being examined, a staff member saw he was carrying a loaded handgun. This incident, as well as the threats, led to the search of Hansen’s home on Jan. 31, 2024.

Hansen pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail at the Martinez Detention Facility. His first hearing is scheduled for March 27.

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