W.Va. sheriffs say they wouldn't enforce assault weapons ban

The Charleston Gazette ^ | January 30, 2013 | Kate White and Travis Crum

[2ndDivisionVet]

Several West Virginia county sheriffs said they would defy any federal assault weapons ban proposed by President Obama.

Earlier this month, Obama unveiled 23 separate executive actions to curb what he called "the epidemic of gun violence in this country." Additionally, he urged Congrees to pass a new ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines and asked for a universal background check requirement for all new gun purchases.

If that ban were to become federal law, at least five West Virginia sheriffs said they wouldn't enforce it and vowed to protect people's right to bear arms under their interpretation of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Putnam County Sheriff Steve Deweese was among those who said he doesn't support an assault weapons ban.

"If an executive order comes across to arrest someone in possession of an AK-47, my answer is probably no, because that's violating their Second Amendment rights," he said.

Boone County Sheriff Randall White said he took an oath to defend the Constitution and recently sent a letter to Obama addressing his concerns.

Roane County Sheriff Mike Harper and Wood County Sheriff Ken Merritt have both signed a petition created by the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association to be a "line in the sand" against the federal government.

"The county sheriff is the one who can say to the feds, 'Beyond these bounds you shall not pass.' This is not only within the scope of the sheriff's authority; it's the sheriff's sworn duty," according to the petition's mission statement...

[tupac]

Very good news, I live in Wood Co.

[Shimmer1]

I wish I’d hear about some GA sheriffs that would do this!