Posted on 01/16/2013 12:04:30 PM PST by Sawdring
On a day when President Obama was preparing a slate of proposals to stem gun violence in America, Pine County Sheriff Robin Cole said he would consider any new federal regulation on guns to be illegal and would “refuse to carry it out.”
“We will not enforce that,” Cole told the News Tribune of any potential federal regulation that could lead to confiscation of firearms.
Obama is expected to announce proposals today including limits on the sale of assault weapons and strengthening background checks, but not confiscating existing guns.
Cole’s position first appeared Tuesday in an open letter he sent to residents of the east-central Minnesota county, disseminated through the media. The sheriff said he made the statement in response to questions from his constituents who are scared about potential new gun laws. Cole said it took him a month to craft the response. The letter outlines his contention that the Second Amendment on the right to bear arms is “fundamental to our individual freedoms and that firearms are part of life in our country.”
“We have been inundated,” Cole said of questions about gun laws since the Newtown, Conn., massacre in December.
Pine County Commissioner Doug Carlson said he wasn’t surprised to hear about Cole’s stand, calling the sheriff “opinionated.”
“Here’s a sheriff riding cowboy saying he’s going to do what he’s going to do,” Carlson said.
“Is he going to put us on a county level in a liable position?” Carlson asked, about local law enforcement versus the federal government. “If he can do that, where does that put us as a county board?”
But Commissioner Mitch Pangerl said he agrees with the sheriff.
“We’re still the state of Minnesota,” he said. He said that if the state legislative process comes up with a new law, it should be followed. But he’s wary of crossing the Second Amendment, even though he knows he doesn’t have much say as a County Board member.
“I will protect those rights,” Pangerl said.
A ban on assault weapons would be the biggest change for Minnesotans. Right now, a purchase permit is required for handguns and assault weapons. Those permit applications can go through a retailer or a local police office for background checks. In most of Pine County, the only place to go to is the sheriff’s office.
Cole said Tuesday he’s simply providing reassurance to his constituents.
“They’re afraid,” Cole said. “When they’re afraid, you can’t reason with that.”
Cole wrote that states’ rights should supersede any attempts by an individual or the federal government to curb gun rights. The letter states that he will not accept any legislation from the federal government or any one individual, hinting at the notion that President Obama could approve some gun law changes by executive order.
“We enforce state law,” Cole said.
In the letter, Cole states: “I believe current state law is sufficient to protect public safety.”
He goes on to write: “I do not believe the federal government or any individual in the federal government has the right to dictate to the states, counties or municipalities any mandate, regulation or administrative rule that violates the United States Constitution or its various amendments.”
The Minnesota Sheriff’s Association doesn’t have an opinion on new gun legislation, its executive director, Jim Franklin, said. He hadn’t seen Cole’s letter and said he couldn’t comment.
Cole isn’t alone among sheriffs across the nation. In recent days, sheriffs in Oregon, Georgia, Arizona and Kentucky have taken similar stances.
Cole said he wrote the letter for his constituents and it’s his opinion alone.
“I don’t care what other sheriffs agree with,” he said.
Well, offhand, I'd say County Commissioner Carlson is a simpering little b!tch. If I was a voter in that county, I'd vote for the Sheriff, and sh!tcan that little gun hater Carlson.
Sounds like the sherriff needs some re-education camp time to think about it.
no drones for your department, buddy.
LOL, I heard him being grilled on WCCO this afternoon.
As long as the media reports things like this, other sheriffs and local cops will join the cause. I hope it’s true.
Look at the 2012 election map, they went big for Obama.
“No legislative act, therefore, contrary to the Constitution, can be valid. To deny this, would be to affirm, that the deputy is greater than his principal; that the servant is above his master; that the representatives of the people are superior to the people themselves; that men acting by virtue of powers, may do not only what their powers do not authorize, but what they forbid. ... “
- Alexander Hamilton
Yeah, well when Sheriff Arapiao was trying to enforce federal immigration law, they told him it wasn’t his jurisdiction - they can’t have it both ways.
...oops - meant “Arpaio” - sorry Joe!
“Pine County Commissioner Doug Carlson said he wasn’t surprised to hear about Cole’s stand, calling the sheriff “opinionated.”
“Here’s a sheriff riding cowboy saying he’s going to do what he’s going to do,” Carlson said.”.....
The Commissioner needs to read up on the powers of the Sheriff in his state and all other states. He will find the Sheriff IS, repeat IS that law of the land in that county and the power was given to him by the people. The athourity came surprisingly from the time of the King of England (of all places).........That’s some interesting read if you have the time to look it up.
“Pine County Commissioner Doug Carlson said he wasn’t surprised to hear about Cole’s stand, calling the sheriff “opinionated.”
“Here’s a sheriff riding cowboy saying he’s going to do what he’s going to do,” Carlson said.”.....
The Commissioner needs to read up on the powers of the Sheriff in his state and all other states. He will find the Sheriff IS, repeat IS that law of the land in that county and the power was given to him by the people. The athourity came surprisingly from the time of the King of England (of all places).........That’s some interesting read if you have the time to look it up.
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