Support your local Sheriff at the Capitol

[brand4]

I don't have much experience in this sort of thing, however, I thought it was a good showing. Thanks to everyone who showed up.

This is a picture of Colorado County Sheriffs Association literally standing up for our 2nd Amendment rights. The testimony against the background check bill was presented by 2 county sheriffs with all the other sheriffs standing in solidarity, a DU law scholar, a Columbine survivor, the NRA, RMGO and some other high profile expert witnesses. I am looking forward to seeing this on the local news. After the pro bill testimony was done some of the stations left the room, I guess they had more breaking news to cover.

The problems with the legislation was explained to the Senators by a law professor and all the county sheriffs that the bill is "unenforceable". The wording and scope make the bill illegal to allow anyone to even handle "transfer" another persons weapon without a background check in both directions. Mr. Brown from RMGO explained that it was against Colorado law.
I thanked my county sheriff when I was at the capitol. This might be a good time to send some thank you emails to support your local sheriff.

When Weld County Sheriff John Cooke was done speaking all but 2 people in attendance cheered and applauded.

FYI the Senate president doesn't like it when you do that, we couldn't hear her use the gavel because the clapping was so loud.

This is not over so don't assume your lettters and calls are all for not. Keep in mind that most of these congress members are just starting their political careers they will need support later on. You may consider getting in touch with them and let them know how you feel even if you are not in their district.

22947

[zteknik]

My hats off to them.[Beer]
We know who their to serve and protect..

[blacklabel]

I've thanked Sheriff Smith multiple times as well as Sheriff Cook. Those two men have my utmost respect.

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Does anyone know if Doug Darr was present?

[Dave]

I'm guessing that my county's sherrif is in favor of the bills.

[Blockhead]

Go Maketa!

[colo-pr]

This is crazy, I saw all sheriffs or maybe 99% in our side but anyway this is not important for the 3 democrat senators that pass all bills.

[robertcolorado2009]

The Shriffs of Colorado are right on guys! I have NEW respecvt for them and so much distrust, anger, disbelief in democrats who just vote along party lines, after all of the professional testimony was put forth by our side. They are children working in an adult world. They never grew up. Everything is peaches and cream for them. They cannot and will not listen to intelligence. They won't have none of it because it doesn't fit into their rosy little world and how they feel things should be. Where every one gets a ribbon for participation. and the best and brightest sit in wonderment about their utmost stupidity and wonder why they even tried to be so good.

[Snowman]

Hats off to the Sheriff's of Colorado and to all the supporters of our free state and country[Beer] Good will prevail and evil will fail.

[Blowby]

I now feel my contributions to the sheriff's have paid off. What a stand up organization and everyone should sign up with some level of support.

County Sheriff's Of Colorado - Link (http://www.csoc.org/store/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=25&cat=Memberships)

With overwhelming members signing up and showing that their presence yesterday was acknowledged and appreciated, they will continue to fight for our constitutional rights.

Edit: Mod's can you move the link to the first post? I didn't want to start another "Support the Sheriff's" thread. Thanks.

[roberth]

Ted Mink (JeffCo) has this CSOC position paper --> https://www.co.jefferson.co.us/jeffco/sheriff_uploads/CSOC_position_paper_gun_control_regulation.pdf

Thank you Sheriff Mink.

[Great-Kazoo]

Calling them today for follow thanks, well some of them.

[sniper7]

Does anyone know if Doug Darr was present?

Yes he was, I talked to him for a short while.

I have known him my entire life.

We talked about 1224 and he said it will do nothing, quick reloads in a few seconds counter whatever mag limits imposed.

While not really NFA friendly except to a limited few, I believe he is on our side for all these bills.

[def90]

Has anyone heard of how Joe Pelle in Boulder Co leans on this? I can't find anything.

[def90]

OK, I received a quick response from his dept.. Reads kind of like he is taking the easy way out.. Against any new laws but at the same time he is bound to enforce them..

January 19, 2013
Greetings:
Given all the recent talk about potential gun legislation, there have been a lot of bold claims by sheriffs
locally and across the country, who openly avow to defy legislation that they deem unconstitutional.
Perhaps somewhat falsely empowered by the Constitutional Sheriff and Oathkeeper movements, they
have claimed powers which they actually do not possess. I’ve received a number of e-mails demanding
that I state my position.


First of all, I am a Second Amendment supporter. I own firearms and have been a hunter and peace
officer all of my adult life. Our office has issued thousands of concealed carry permits and I routinely
sign off on FFLs for law abiding residents.


I do not believe that a bunch of new gun laws will do a lot to curb the violence we have recently
experienced. I read that there are 300 million guns already in our country? It seems like that horse is
already out of the barn. I do believe there is plenty of room for debate about common sense legislation
and where the bar is set concerning restrictions that are constitutional. I believe strongly, based on 33
years in this business, that the underlying issue in all of this is a broken mental health system. Our jail is
full of people with mental health issues because there is no other suitable alternative. We routinely take
guns away from people in mental health crisis, only to be forced to return them right away because we
have no other recourse. Mental health issues seem to be the common thread in all of these extremely
violent episodes. I recently read that Colorado is 49th among the states regarding funding for mental
health treatment. Something has to be done about this to truly impact public safety.


It’s easy for me, (and other sheriffs), to state that I will not enforce federal laws concerning gun control.
Although it sounds bold, the truth is that I am not a federal law enforcement officer, and I am not
empowered to enforce federal laws. I am a county sheriff. The county is a political subdivision of the
state. I enforce state laws and county ordinances.


Choosing not to enforce a state law is a different matter. The state constitution establishes the office of
sheriff, and says that the duties and responsibilities of the sheriff shall be enumerated in statute. I am
bound to uphold and enforce these laws.


A dangerous thing, in my opinion, is claiming that I will not enforce laws which I deem, (or any other
sheriff), to be unconstitutional. That is not within my power or prerogative. Going back to high school
government class, I learned about the three branches of government, (Executive, Legislative, and
Judicial), and how power is kept in check by the separation of powers between them. Making
constitutional decisions about the legitimacy of laws is not within my power, (Executive Branch), but
rather it belongs to the courts (Judicial). There are a lot of laws and amendments I don’t necessarily
agree with. However, it’s not within my power to pick and choose. I am supposed to enforce them.
I am as interested in the debate as anyone, and will be watching closely. However, I am going avoid
making claims that I can’t really back up. I will do the job that I am required to do, uphold the
constitutional limitations on my powers, and rely on our legislators and the courts to sort out the
differences on what they will be.


Sincerely,
Sheriff Joe Pelle

[ChunkyMonkey]

As far as ARAPAHOE county sheriff Robinson...

http://www.officer.com/news/10857315/colo-sheriff-only-courts-can-rule-on-gun-laws