By Rob Morse
Louisiana- (Ammoland.com)-
Sheriffs across the country spoke up after the mass public murder in San Bernardino, California. They went public with their support of concealed carry and citizen self-defense. This makes sense for at least two reasons.
The first is practical. Most of these law enforcement officers have rolled in on a scene when it was too late. Like the police in San Bernardino, the killing was all over by the time law enforcement arrived. An armed citizen can protect themselves long enough for the police to get there. They need our help.. just as we need theirs.
The second reason is political. These sheriffs are elected by the people rather than being appointed by big-city mayors. These sheriffs represent the people’s interests rather than representing the mayor’s political interests. The sheriffs don’t have to toe the party line and can speak their mind.
I’ll let the sheriffs speak for themselves. Here is what they said.
-Sheriff Joe Arpaio in Maricopa County, Arizona augments his police force with a civilian posse. “I’m asking armed citizens to make sure that if some violent activity occurs that they take action to defend themselves, and also the people around them.. until law enforcement shows up.”
-The Sheriff in a small Oklahoma county said this, “I encourage all who are legally eligible and trained to carry concealed weapons to do so. I do not want any of us to be helpless victims if we should fall under attack.”
-The Sheriff in Hughes Springs Texas said “I am asking you to help me by arming yourself. Get a carry permit and learn to use your firearm safely.. We can’t be everywhere all the time.”
“I am asking you to help me by arming yourself.”
-The Sheriff in Lebanon, Missouri cut the price of a concealed carry license from 100 down to 65 dollars. He said, “if (people) want to have a concealed firearm and are law-abiding citizens that they have a right to carry a concealed weapon. It’s getting dangerous for just the common citizen because everybody that was killed in France and all those who were killed in California weren’t cops. They were just normal people, everyday walking-the-street people, and they should have a right to defend themselves. People having CCWs, (well,) you don’t know whether they’re armed or not — and you’re a little more reluctant to go in and shoot a place up or rob people.”
-Two Ohio Sheriffs asked citizens to get their carry permits. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said, “People should get their conceal and carry permit and carry a gun where permitted. You don’t want to be that person hiding under the desk or in a closet waiting for someone to come rescue you.”
-Montgomery County, Ohio Sheriff Phil Plummer said much the same thing. “I encourage all law abiding citizens to get Conceal Carry Permits. I think it’s so important that we’re turning around the permits in 24 hours. We have to arm ourselves and protect ourselves because they’re killing our families.”
-Brevard County, Florida Sheriff Wayne Ivey said, “The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. If you are a person who is legally licensed to carry a firearm, now is a time more than ever to realize that you and you alone very well might be the first line of defense for you [and] your family.”
“The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun.”
-Sheriff Helmig from Boone County, Kentucky said “I remind the people who have applied, been trained, and issued a license to carry a Concealed Deadly Weapon (CCDW) that they also have a responsibility to carry their firearm, which they are proficient with, for the safety of themselves and others.”
Two mayors in New Jersey asked the legislature to allow ordinary citizens to go armed. Egg Harbor Township Mayor James McCullough said “Maybe if someone had a gun during the San Bernardino shooting spree, some of the 14 innocent people would still be alive”. Estell Manor Councilman-elect Joe Venezia said “(People) should have the right to (protect themselves). It would only be an effective tool to help law enforcement.”
Yes, you read that correctly; these are mayors from anti-gun democrat New Jersey.
I say ‘Thank you!’ I thank these elected officials for protecting us.. and helping us protect ourselves.. until help arrives.
~_~_
About Rob Morse: Rob writes about gun rights at Ammoland, at Clash Daily and on his SlowFacts blog. He co-hosts the Polite Society Podcast. He is also an NRA pistol instructor and combat handgun competitor.
Am I wrong in saying that the Sherriffs Office is the only Constitutionally created law enforcement entity? Were all others not created by politicians?
Thats why I have always had, and always will have, more respect for a local Sherriff than any of these other clowns. They, for the most part, and always more than any other law enforcement entity, seem to really care about the citizens they represent.
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SHERRIFFS OFFICE
For me, anyone can carry concealed carry as long as he is a responsible citizen. Must read the basic rules of gun safety at https://todaysscoop.wordpress.com/2015/12/02/basic-rules-for-gun-safety/
I was carrying concealed before it was cool. The United States Constitution put in writing my God endowed right for self preservation. The idea of taxing me to enjoy my Creators gift of Life ,Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness does not register with me. Even at my approach to my 40th biennial my concept of Gun Control is still hitting what is in my front sight.
I’m a member of NJ2AS.
SuperG, there are 10 million California citizens living in those “shall issue” counties. That is enough to change the gun culture of California.
What the politicians fail to consider is that there are two geographical divisions in America: metropolitan and rural. Two totally different conditions. In Metro areas, the cops are only minutes away. In rural areas, cops are more like hours away. In my county, we are lucky if there are three deputies per shift. Add in two lane highways, mountains, weather conditions, etc, and whatever the reason you called them for is already finished. We’re only talking places that are within 20 miles of the county seat. It does not matter whether it’s a rabid raccoon, mountain lion, bear, or criminals… Read more »
Rob Morse ,, New Jersey needs alot of attention and has been that way for decades . NRA and 2 A Society need to step up Big time for its residents that are under Demon Crat control thank you
Sadly, California remains a Shall Not Issue state, save for a couple of counties there. If you live in any major city there, they deprive you of your Constitutional right to defend yourself in public. Those 14 who died in San Bernardino were made victims by the state. I hope the people stand up finally and demand their rights back.
This is a great article about elected leaders and LEOs speaking out about our rights and common sense. Not surprisingly it isn’t making the mainstream (read LIBERAL) media. Email it to friends and elected officials.
And Sheriff Joe in Maricopa County is awesome. He should be our candidate for president.