Opinion ID: 1122547
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The weapons evidence properly was admitted

Text: (38) Even if defendant had preserved the foregoing issue, our rejection of defendant's argument on the merits would be warranted for two distinct reasons. First, we have held that a hearing under Phillips, supra, 41 Cal.3d 29, may be unnecessary where, as was the case here, substantial evidence establishes each element of the alleged prior offense. ( People v. Jennings, supra, 53 Cal.3d 334, 388-389.) Second, the police searches in this case uncovered a machine gun, a silencer beside it, and concealable handguns; defendant's possession of these firearms was illegal. (§ 12021, subd. (a) [possession of a firearm by an ex-felon]; § 12220, subd. (a) [possession of a machine gun].) His possession of such an arsenal clearly involved the implied threat to use force or violence. (§ 190.3, factor (b); see generally, People v. Ramirez, supra, 50 Cal.3d at pp. 1186-1187 [possession of concealed knife at California Youth Authority facility]; People v. Grant (1988) 45 Cal.3d 829, 849-851 [248 Cal. Rptr. 444, 755 P.2d 894] [inmate's possession of prison-made shank].) Defendant's possession of a silencer found next to the machine gun strengthens this conclusion and itself constitutes a felony. (§ 12520.) [34]