BRICKBATS.

• Author: Oliver, Charles

A former San Diego County, California, sheriff's office captain has been charged with running an illegal gun trafficking operation. Federal prosecutors say Marco Garmo sold civilians "off roster" guns that are legally available only to law enforcement, high-capacity magazines, and department-issued ammunition. Prosecutors claim he did this not only to turn a profit but to win favor with potential donors for a planned run for sheriff.

A committee of the French Parliament has approved a bill that would ban Black Friday sales and promotions. Supporters of the bill say such sales lead to overconsumption and harm the environment by causing traffic jams and air pollution.

Hundreds of former and current state inmates in New York have filed a lawsuit claiming they received additional punishment, such as forced isolation, after being given drug tests that produced false positives. A spokesman for the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision says the agency has stopped using the test. Leaked documents indicate some 2,000 prisoners may have been affected.

A new Berkeley, California, law requires restaurants to charge customers 25 cents for a single-use cup. Similar laws have been passed or proposed in Palo Alto and San Francisco. Supporters say these laws will reduce waste, but advocates for the disabled say those with limited movement or sensation in their hands may find it hard to lift glass or ceramic cups. Berkeley is trying to find a way to exempt the disabled from having to pay.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has...