As the gun control debate heats back up, Humboldt County Sheriff Mike Downey has joined a growing number of sheriffs nationwide who oppose what they see as an infringement on the Second Amendment by President Barack Obama and Congress....
So far, 90 sheriffs nationwide have signed onto the petition which states they are saying no to Obama's gun control measures, according to the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association. Also included on the list are Mendocino County Sheriff Thomas Allman, Del Norte County Sheriff Dean Wilson and Siskiyou County Sheriff Jon Lopey....
Downey said one of his main objections so far is “the fact that they're doing it by executive order, and not legislative action.”
He said he feels strongly about standing up for the Constitution, whether it's the Second Amendment or any other constitutional issue. “We're concerned about the possible intrusion by the federal government,” Downey said.
Jason Plume, a Humboldt State politics professor who teaches constitutional law, said Downey is probably on “solid ground” with his complaint. He added that, even though he's a local official, Downey and all sheriffs take the oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution.
◼ The Second Amendment is Not about Hunting - Neil Snyder/American Thinker
Since ours is a constitutional form of government, as citizens we have a duty to delve deeply into the rationale of our Founding Fathers who risked their lives and property to win for us the freedoms that we enjoy, freedoms that are spelled out in our Constitution, before we enact legislation that restricts those freedoms in any way. With that thought in mind, let's take a look at what some of them said about our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms:
George Washington: "Firearms stand next in importance to the constitution itself. They are the American people's liberty teeth and keystone under independence ... from the hour the Pilgrims landed to the present day, events, occurences and tendencies prove that to ensure peace security and happiness, the rifle and pistol are equally indispensable ... the very atmosphere of firearms anywhere restrains evil interference - they deserve a place of honor with all that's good."
Thomas Jefferson: "Those who hammer their guns into plowshares will plow for those who do not."
George Mason, co-author of the Second Amendment : "I ask, Sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people. To disarm the people is the best and most effectual way to enslave them."
