Firefighterchen
OC for Tactical Advantage
Finally received an email back from the Franklin County Sheriff. Apparently the contact form on their website sends these emails to his junk mail?
I asked him if he would support or defend unconstitutional federal law. This is his response, what do you guys think?
I asked him if he would support or defend unconstitutional federal law. This is his response, what do you guys think?
I discovered a couple emails in regards to the 2nd amendment in my junk mail today.* I will make one response answering the combined concerns of all.* Yes, I have taken an oath;* in fact I have taken the oath of office for Sheriff 8 times.* I took it to complete the term of former Sheriff Wally Bradley when my election was certified in November of 1986, I took it again in December of 1986 to start my first full term in office, I have taken it at the start of each of my additional 6 terms of office. The oath of office in Washington is the same for all elected officials, whether it is auditor, treasurer, coroner, prosecutor, judge or sheriff.* I have attached a copy of my most recent oath, they are filed with the county auditor.* Local and state law enforcement officers do not enforce federal law, we do not interpret the law, as spelled out in the Constitution that is the authority and responsibility of the Judicial Branch.* I have not made any public statements as I feel that my record of 26+ years as Sheriff speaks louder than any words.* I have always upheld my oath, made tough decisions based on what was the right thing to do, not always the most popular.* Under my leadership the crime in Franklin county has decreased 60%, we went from being one of the worst areas in the* state to being one of the safest and now the fastest growing county in the state.* I have been r-elected 6 times, which is a pretty good indication that the citizens of this county feel satisfied with the job I am doing.* I have attached a copy of the resolution put out this month by the National Sheriff’s Association which would be my position as well as an executive summary which I believe adequately reflects my position.* I was Sheriff when the previous Assault weapon ban was in place as well as the ban on high capacity magazines.* The ban at that time grandfathered in all magazines and weapons currently in possession and manufactured prior to the effective date of the law.* The law prevented the sale of magazines and weapons manufactured after the effective date of the law. There wasn’t anything for us to enforce.* The question of enforcing unconstitutional laws, I have never enforced an un constitutional law, as previously mentioned it is not within my powers under the state or federal constitution to interpret the law.* I am not going to answer hypothetical questions about possible scenarios with the federal government. I don’t enforce federal law so I have no need to respond to federal laws.* No, I am not going to write President Obama a letter.* It is important that our legislators in both Washington DC and Olympia hear your concerns as they will be the ones who ultimately will put laws into effect.
*
Sheriff Richard Lathim