Posted on 01/22/2013 6:59:53 AM PST by Second Amendment First
JOHNSON COUNTY, Mo (KMOX) – As President Barack Obama continues to push gun control proposals in Washington D.C., Sheriff Charles M. Heiss, R-Johnson County is asking fellow law enforcers to sign and send this letter to the president.
The letter expresses concern with the Obama administration and the president’s gun control laws he laid out before Congress last week.
“It appears to me and many Americans that there is a genuine desire on the part of your administration to restrict the Second Amendment rights of law abiding American citizens in the interest of curbing gun violence in our nation,” Heiss wrote. “Any attempt to restrict these Second Amendment rights through executive order is unconstitutional and tantamount to an all-out assault on the United States Constitution.”
In the letter Heiss tells the president that he has a duty to protect his constituents from incidents of crime, and has the responsibility to protect and preserve their rights and liberties.
Newly elected Sheriff Michael Dixon, R-Osage County is one of about a dozen sheriffs in Missouri to have signed and sent Heiss’ letter.
“On the same day the President is taking his oath to uphold the Constitution, he continues to attack our 2nd Amendment rights,” Dixon said. “As Osage County Sheriff, I also took an Oath to the Constitution; but unlike Obama, I intend to uphold mine.”
Dixon also announced his support of Missouri house bill (HB 170). The bill, introduced last week, would make criminals of any law enforcement official, local, state or federal, who tried to enforce any of President Obama’s gun control initiatives, whether executive orders or passed by Congress.
“President Obama should quit his attempts to take guns out of the hands of law abiding citizens and instead focus on stopping the criminals that will get them no matter what. It is imperative we strengthen the penalty for criminals who use weapons in the commission of a crime or to cause bodily harm.”
Dixon said his office will not enforce any gun control proposals that Obama passes if they violate the Constitution and points to gun control efforts and crime statistics as proof gun bans do not work.
“The President comes from Chicago, the city with the strictest gun laws and worst gun violence in the country. It has been proven time and time again that taking guns from law abiding citizens only emboldens thugs, thieves, and rapists, not stop them from committing crimes,” Dixon said.
January 16, 2013
Dear Mr. President,
My name is Charles M. Heiss and I am the Sheriff of Johnson County, Missouri. I have held this office since January 1, 1997. I am writing to you to express my concern with the tone of your administration with respect to the Second Amendment Rights of American citizens. It appears to me and many Americans that there is a genuine desire on the part of your administration to restrict the Second Amendment rights of law abiding American citizens in the interest of curbing gun violence in our nation.
Throughout our nation’s history the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights has served as the very foundation of our free society. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution has long guaranteed our citizens the right to keep and bare arms and is central to our ability to live in a free society. Any attempt to restrict these Second Amendment rights through executive order is unconstitutional and tantamount to an all-out assault on the United States Constitution. Just as the Fourth Amendment to the constitution guarantees our citizens the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable search and seizure, the Second Amendment guarantees each of us the right to keep and bare arms to protect ourselves from anyone who would seek to cause us harm. This includes the federal Government.
World history has shown us that when a society does not possess the ability to defend itself it becomes ripe for victimization by criminals, and ripe for government oppression. One need not look too far in today’s world to see glaring examples of defenseless people being brutalized by rogue regimes and dictators. Syria, North Korea, and Mali are just a few examples of this type of oppression. Mexico is a stark reminder of a society overrun with criminal element in the form of Drug Cartels.
As the duly elected Sheriff of Johnson County, Missouri, it is my sworn duty to protect and defend the Constitutions of the United States of America, and the State of Missouri against all enemies both foreign and domestic. This means I not only have the duty to protect my constituents from incidents of crime, but I also have a duty and responsibility to protect and preserve the individual rights and liberties afforded and guaranteed to every citizen by our constitutions. This, Mr. President is a duty I fully understand, appreciate, and will carry out with great vigor and conviction. I will most certainly urge my fellow Sheriffs in the State of Missouri and across this great nation to rise to the defense and aid of all Americans should the federal government attempt to enact any legislation, or executive order that impedes, erodes, or otherwise diminishes their constitutional right to keep and bare arms. I will use all means legal to meet this solemn and sacred responsibility.
Respectfully,
Charles M. Heiss
Sheriff Johnson County, Missouri.
I am Sheriff Tim Mueller, elected twice by the citizens of Linn County Oregon who have entrusted me with a noble cause: to keep them and their families safe. My deputies and I take that responsibility very seriously and, like you, have sworn to support the Constitution of the United States. I take that oath equally as serious as protecting our citizens. I have worked for the people of Linn County for over 28 years as a member of the Linn County Sheriff’s Office as well as serving three years active duty as a Military Police Officer in the US Army, where I also swore a similar oath.
In the wake of the recent criminal events, politicians are attempting to exploit the deaths of innocent victims by advocating for laws that would prevent honest, law abiding Americans from possessing certain firearms and ammunition magazines. We are Americans. We must not allow, nor shall we tolerate, the actions of criminals, no matter how heinous the crimes, to prompt politicians to enact laws that will infringe upon the liberties of responsible citizens who have broken no laws.
Any federal regulation enacted by Congress or by executive order of the President offending the constitutional rights of my citizens shall not be enforced by me or by my deputies, nor will I permit the enforcement of any unconstitutional regulations or orders by federal officers within the borders of Linn County Oregon.
In summary, it is the position of this Sheriff that I refuse to participate, or stand idly by, while my citizens are turned into criminals due to the unconstitutional actions of misguided politicians.
Respectfully,
Sheriff Tim Mueller
Linn County Oregon
A comment at the site:
I love it. When local cops tried to enforce immigration laws, liberals pitched a fit and said local cops could not enforce federal laws, resulting in ‘sanctuary’ cities where illegals are free from prosecution. Now, that local cops are refusing to support/enforce fedral gun laws, the libs cry because the cops are not doing their jobs. Please make up your minds.
You’re pretty fast on the draw there Doogle.
Guns and pot = state’s rights
I’m not trying to take over this thread, but to simply pass on information.
Two midlands (SC) sheriffs don’t seem to be willing to stand up for their citizens:
http://www.thestate.com/2013/01/19/2595543/bob.html
Again, my apologies if this response is in bad form. Please feel free to create a post using the link and delete this response. I’m not sure how it’s done.
Please don’t drag down gun rights to the drug gutter.
If it came down to it, Big Sis would just remove any local law enforcement officers who stood in her way. How long would they resist if they didn’t get a paycheck?
That's a damn good point.
State’s rights are not the gutter.
I don’t think federal LE officers - nor the US military even want to get involved -— Look at what happened in TN during a 1946 election...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Athens_%281946%29
http://digitaledition.qwinc.com/display_article.php?id=1112158
Pretty interesting stuff...
This administration made is perfectly clear in the Arizona immigration case that state & local governments have no place in the enforcement of federal laws.
The states should remind them of this, and let the feds know that they have no intention of enforcing any new gun laws.
Arrogant, The link doesn’t seem to work.
Thanks
Try this:
Comparing guns to drugs is as gutter as it gets. This isn’t a drug topic.
Guns and Alcohol = States rights.
Uh, well, wait........isn’t alcohol considered a drug?
Already been drugged down.
Actually alcohol was at least dealt with in the constitution, so there’s some merit to discussing it as an issue. But not on a gun thread. Might as well start bringing up abortion, gay marriage, and everything on every gun thread too?
Ok, back on topic.
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