Posted on 02/01/2013 10:29:44 AM PST by marktwain
Gun Control Statement: In light of the increasing amount of requests for Sheriff Wilmot’s position concerning the issues related to gun control, he has issued the following letter to the Citizens of Yuma County.
To the Citizens of Yuma County, I, like many Americans, am always appalled and heartbroken when I hear of any incident involving the murder(s) of innocent victims at the hands of violent criminals. Like all Americans, I wish for justice to be served upon those responsible for perpetrating these horrible crimes. I also pray that the families of those victims receive peace during those times of tragedy.
As our nation struggles to find answers to the problems that lead a very few among us to commit these senseless criminal acts, I am gravely concerned that some would further victimize law abiding citizens through misguided and uninformed decisions intended to prevent future acts of violence. Through my own experience, I have learned that any such misguided attempts to limit the access of violent criminals to the tools they would use to commit these crimes only serves one purpose—to prevent the honest, law abiding citizens access to the means to defend themselves and their families. A firearm is a tool and as such is incapable of independent action. The manner in which that tool is used is entirely dependent on the individual who wields it. I am a strong proponent of investigating the underlying causes of these recent tragedies and working together to address those shortcomings with real solutions. I am a strong proponent of enforcing existing laws and holding those who choose to violate those laws accountable for their actions.
As a law enforcement officer and former Marine, I have dedicated my life to defending our country, our community and residents against all evil that would be perpetrated upon them by criminals. Like all law enforcement officers, I am bound by solemn oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Arizona; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and to defend them from all enemies, foreign and domestic.
As your Sheriff, I am committed to enforcing the laws of the State of Arizona. I will continue to do so aggressively and impartially. I have yet to find any criminal act committed with a firearm that is not already sufficiently outlawed by existing statute. The creation and imposition of new regulations by our Federal Government, either via congress or executive order, on our rights granted by the Second Amendment would be foolish and misguided and serve only to criminalize honest, law abiding citizens.
In closing, as your Sheriff and a citizen of the United States of America and the State of Arizona, I firmly support the Second Amendment which grants citizens the right to defend themselves and their families and I will not suffer any infringement upon those rights.
Sincerely,
Leon N. Wilmot Sheriff, Yuma County
Why do people feel the need to act as though the gun grabbers are simply misinformed or wrongheaded. Though the reasons are many, they all have the ultimate goal of disarming their political opposition and that makes them evil. We need responsible people in power to call out the endgame and stop acting like the gun grabbers are anything other than a mortal enemy.
Sheriff Dannels of Cochise County made his statement on Wednesday this week. Lemme see if I can find it...
Sheriff issues statement on gun control
By Eric Petermann
Created Jan 28 2013 - 9:29pm
To my Fellow Citizens of Cochise County and the United States of America,
Recently, I have spoken to several of my fellow citizens in Cochise County who have voiced to me their concerns and fears with the President’s recent decision to issue a number of executive orders aimed at gun control. Realizing the importance of this matter, I feel it is necessary to publish my official position on our Second Amendment rights, and what role I and my Office will have in this matter.
First, let me say, my heart goes out to the families and survivors of the tragic event in Connecticut, and to all those who may have lost loved ones in past violent acts. However, if history has taught us anything it is this: Solely blaming firearms for acts of violence is not the answer. In my opinion, it amounts to nothing more than a play on emotions in an attempt to pacify the immediate outcry, and is a disservice to those we, as elected officials, are sworn to serve and protect.
As Sheriff, I was elected by the citizens of Cochise County to represent them and their interests. I and my deputies shall not be used as a surrogate of any government entity to violate the civil rights of the citizens of this great nation. My loyalty lies within the oath of the Sheriff’s office, which reads, in part, as follows: “I solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the laws of the State of Arizona; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same and defend them against all enemies whatsoever, and that I will faithfully and impartially perform the duties of the office of Sheriff, according to the best of my ability so help me God.”
If I have learned anything during my 29 years as a law man, it is this: Education, prevention, and enforcement are the three keys to successful crime prevention. We are a nation of laws designed to protect our citizens, establish peace and order, and above all preserve the constitutional liberties of all. With that said, no one person or branch of government can single-handedly solve the complex issues of crime prevention. There must be a collaborative effort on the part of law enforcement and our judicial, educational, medical, and legislative partners to develop a comprehensive crime prevention strategy, which takes into account all of the contributing factors, not just the most convenient.
In closing, while I respect our nation’s elected offices, as the duly elected Sheriff for the citizens of Cochise County, I and my Office will ensure the Constitutional Rights of the citizens of Cochise County are not infringed upon and will not permit any official, federal or otherwise, to attempt to do so.
Mark J. Dannels
Sheriff, Cochise County
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