ACTION REQUEST: Contact Washington State Sheriffs

[huntrights]

I originally posted this in another forum topic, "The Untouchable Bill of Rights".

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,117161.0.html

However, it is important that our sheriffs hear from us, so I am posting this again as it's own topic.  Please read the through this post and note the email corrections.  Others and I are already getting responses back from some of our county sheriffs.  Please take a few minutes and do this.

Thank you.

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The following is asking you to send a respectful message to the all of the county sheriffs in the state of Washington.  This is an important message regarding the protection of our rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights.  You can communicate to all of the sheriffs in the state with one email.  Please take advantage of this opportunity to send this very important message to all of these honorable peace officers; our rights and freedoms may depend on it.

Thank you.

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We are facing relentless attacks against our Second Amendment rights as defined in our Bill of Rights.  It has become necessary that we ask all those that took an oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights to reaffirm their commitment to that oath.  The county sheriffs of the State of Washington are a group of elected officials that took that oath.  They are extremely important in the defense of our rights and freedoms guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.  They should not enforce any laws (national, state, or local) that violate the Constitution of the United States or the Bill of Rights.  It is their duty to enforce/protect the rights and freedoms guaranteed to our citizens by the Constitution.

Please send a very respectful message to all of the county sheriffs in the State of Washington asking that they reaffirm their oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and Bill of Rights - in particular Amendment II.  You can draft your own message, copy and paste the message below, or modify the message.  It is extremely important that your message is respectful to these honorable peace officers.

You can email all of the Washington State sheriffs in one email.  Just copy and paste the email addresses below into the “To” field of your email.  Copy and paste the subject into the “subject” field.

The video does not copy and paste correctly into email, so you can get the YouTube link directly by clicking on the YouTube icon at the bottom right of the video screen.  Copy and paste the URL into your messsage.

The email addresses were obtained from the Washington State Sheriff's Association web site http://washeriffs.org/index.htm ; they were assumed to be correct.  If you get a failed email delivery message, please go to that sheriff's web site directly to get their email address or send them the message using the method they provide on their site.

Corrected email addresses:
King County
sheriff@kingcounty.gov

Mason County
sheriff@co.mason.wa.us

Current Sheriff's Office email addresses for Pacific, Snohomish, and Spokane counties could not be found.

Copy and paste Washington State County Sheriffs email addresses:


dougb@co.adams.wa.us; kbancroft@co.asotin.wa.us; steven.keane@co.benton.wa.us; sheriff@co.chelan.wa.us; bbenedict@co.clallam.wa.us; sheriff@clark.wa.gov; walt.hessler@co.columbia.wa.us; sheriff@co.cowlitz.wa.us; hgjesdal@co.douglas.wa.us; pwarner@co.ferry.wa.us; rlathim@co.franklin.wa.us; bkeller@co.garfield.wa.us; tjones@co.grant.wa.us; rscott@co.grays-harbor.wa.us; markb@co.island.wa.us; ahernandez@co.jefferson.wa.us; kcsheriff@kingcounty.gov; sboyer@co.kitsap.wa.us; gene.dana@co.kittitas.wa.us; rickm@co.klickitat.wa.us; sbmansfi@co.lewis.wa.us; wmagers@co.lincoln.wa.us; csalisbury@co.mason.wa.us; ocso@co.okanogan.wa.us; jdidion@co.pacific.wa.us; abotzheim@pendoreille.org; ppastor@co.pierce.wa.us; robn@sanjuanco.com; sheriff@co.skagit.wa.us; daveb@co.skamania.wa.us; contact@snoco.org; oknezovich@co.spokane.wa.us; kallen@co.stevens.wa.us; snazaj@co.thurston.wa.us; howiem@co.wahkiakum.wa.us; jturner@co.walla-walla.wa.us; belfo@co.whatcom.wa.us; brettm@co.whitman.wa.us; kenneth.irwin@co.yakima.wa.us



Copy and paste subject and message:

Protecting and Defending Our Constitutional Rights


The message to our county sheriffs is below:
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Dear Washington State County Sheriffs:
Sheriff Doug Barger (Adams County), Sheriff G. K. "Ken" Bancroft (Asotin County), Sheriff Steven Keane (Benton County), Sheriff Brian Burnett (Chelan County), Sheriff Bill Benedict (Clallam County), Sheriff Garry E. Lucas (Clark County), Sheriff Walter Hessler (Columbia County), Sheriff Mark Nelson (Cowlitz County), Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal (Douglas County), Sheriff Pete Warner (Ferry County), Sheriff Richard Lathim (Franklin County), Sheriff Ben Keller (Garfield County), Sheriff Tom Jones (Grant County), Sheriff Rick Scott (Grays Harbor County), Sheriff Mark Brown (Island County), Sheriff Tony Hernandez (Jefferson County), Sheriff John Urquhart (King County), Sheriff Steve Boyer (Kitsap County), Sheriff Gene Dana (Kittitas County), Sheriff Rick McComas (Klickitat County), Sheriff Steve Mansfield (Lewis County), Sheriff Wade Magers (Lincoln County), Sheriff Casey Salisbury (Mason County), Sheriff Frank T. Rogers (Okanogan County), Sheriff Scott Johnson (Pacific County), Sheriff Alan Botzheim (Pend Oreille County), Sheriff Paul Pastor (Pierce County), Sheriff Rob Nou (San Juan County), Sheriff Will Reichardt (Skagit County), Sheriff Dave Brown (Skamania County), Sheriff John Lovick (Snohomish County), Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich (Spokane County), Sheriff Kendle Allen (Stevens County), Sheriff John Snaza (Thurston County), Sheriff Mark Howie (Wahkiakum County), Sheriff John Turner (Walla Walla County), Sheriff Bill Elfo (Whatcom County), Sheriff Brett Myers (Whitman County), Sheriff Ken Irwin (Yakima County)


I am writing you today regarding my concerns about the very troubling times we are now experiencing.  It is likely that you will receive this same message, or similar messages from many other concerned Washington citizens.  Please view them as individual messages and not a mass mailing; it is merely the best way for many of the concerned citizens in our great state to communicate a common message to you. 

Like many Americans, I am heartbroken by the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut; my prayers and sympathy go out to those that lost loved ones.  We, as nation, and as individuals need to understand and work to prevent these acts of criminal violence.  However, as stated by the Utah Sheriff’s Association:

“…With the number of mass shootings America has endured, it is easy to demonize firearms; it is also foolish and prejudiced. Firearms are nothing more than instruments, valuable and potentially dangerous, but instruments nonetheless. Malevolent souls, like the criminals who commit mass murders, will always exploit valuable instruments in the pursuit of evil. As professional peace officers, if we understand nothing else, we understand this: lawful violence must sometimes be employed to deter and stop criminal violence. Consequently, the citizenry must continue its ability to keep and bear arms, including arms that adequately protect them from all types of illegality….” 

Their statement captures the essence of my message to you.

The President, his Administration, members of the U.S. Congress, our State Legislature, and local regulators continue to debate the issue of firearms regulation.  The unfortunate outcome of the tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut has been a flurry of emotionally driven executive orders, proposed legislation, and enacted legislation at national, state, and local levels that infringe on our right to keep and bear arms.  I am very concerned that the elected officials pursuing these anti-gun actions have forgotten, did not fully understand, or simply have chosen to ignore their sworn oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

I would encourage you to watch this video of Former Graham County Arizona Sheriff, Richard Mack, as he speaks to over 100 county sheriffs and peace officers about their oaths of office.  This meeting took place on January 30-31, 2012; it is addressing the issues we face today.  You may also want to consider showing this video to your staff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=n4ygEk7lvvg

The Utah Sheriff’s Association sent a clear and necessary message to our President.  I believe such a message also sends a clear message to the State Legislature and local regulators in addition to reinforcing the confidence the public has in the county sheriff’s offices.  Please take the time to view the full message from the Utah Sheriff’s Association.

http://utahsheriffs.org/USA-Home_files/2nd%20Amendment%20Letter_1.pdf

I sincerely appreciate the time you have taken to read my message to you.  I am respectfully asking that all of you, the county sheriffs of the State of Washington, come together and reaffirm your oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights – in particular Amendment II.  Please consider sending a message, in a unified voice of Washington State Sheriffs, to President Obama as the Utah Sheriff’s Association has done. 

We, the People of the State of Washington, need to hear from all of you as our Constitutional Rights are being threatened nationally and locally.

Thank you very much for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your contact information]

[Crunchy]

Did they not also swear to enforce the laws in the state and county?

[huntrights]

Did they not also swear to enforce the laws in the state and county?

Yes, but the order of precedence is our U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights.  If any law appears to violate the U.S. Constitution or our Bill of Rights, the sheriffs will need to make a decision.  With some of our national and state representatives (President included) pushing the limit on our Constitutional Rights; it’s a fine line that the sheriffs may have to walk, but that’s the oath they took.

This post is asking people to contact the sheriffs of this state to let them know we are counting on them to reaffirm and uphold their sworn oath of office to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and Bill of Rights and the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington.  Again, the order of precedence is the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights comes first.  Both contain the right of the people to keep and bear arms.

Please watch the video and read the letter to the President from the Utah Sheriff’s Association; they will help clarify the reason for the message to the sheriffs of Washington.

[bigtex]

Historically WA Sheriffs have had a very good relationship with federal govt and federal LE agencies, which is why many in WA have not really said anything in regards to the firearms issue. The current Skamania County Sheriff has always been opposed to the federal govt and LE, so much that he represents WA in the Western Sheriff's Association. Of the 4 or so Sheriffs that have said they will not cooperate with the feds in regards to firearm related issues, 2 are in their first terms, may be a coincidence.

If you look at the other Sheriff's across the country that have historically been anti-federal, they have also been outspoken in the recent month regarding firearms. Utah is basically against any type of federal govt, and they have always had that issue. Even Maricopa County Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio has a great relationship with federal BLM Law Enforcement and even commissions BLM LE Rangers as county deputies.

It wouldn't suprise me if very few WA sheriff's do any type of response to these emails.

[huntrights]

If the the sheriffs receive a high enough volume of these legitimate citizen concerns, perhaps they will reflect back to that oath they took if they are presented with a task of enforcing questionable legislation that may violate the Constitution and Bill of Rights.  Although it would be a very difficult choice, they have a right to say "No" and challenge such laws.  Hopefully any such laws would be recognized as unconstitutional in short order, but in the interim, our citizens would be at risk of unjustified arrest and prosecution.   The Rosa Parks story is a prime example of enforcing laws just because they were drafted and passed by a biased/prejudiced legislature.

Excerpt from "The Story Behind the Bus"
http://www.thehenryford.org/exhibits/rosaparks/story.asp

"On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks, a 42-year-old African American woman who worked as a seamstress, boarded this Montgomery City bus to go home from work. On this bus on that day, Rosa Parks initiated a new era in the American quest for freedom and equality.

She sat near the middle of the bus, just behind the 10 seats reserved for whites. Soon all of the seats in the bus were filled. When a white man entered the bus, the driver (following the standard practice of segregation) insisted that all four blacks sitting just behind the white section give up their seats so that the man could sit there. Mrs. Parks, who was an active member of the local NAACP, quietly refused to give up her seat. ... She was arrested and convicted of violating the laws of segregation, known as “Jim Crow laws.”"

This was also an example given in the video.

  There has been an observation made by many people in this region that our legislature and some local regulators (i.e. county commissions) may have been somewhat biased and prone to pass legislation and regulations favoring the segment of the population sometimes referred to as "the left".  That segment of the population has also been observed to be somewhat anti-gun with their philosophies.  Perhaps there is reason to be concerned about any proposed anti-gun legislation headed our way. 

[hoytem]

Did they not also swear to enforce the laws in the state and county?

No state has the authority to to preempt The Constitution or more specifically The Bill of Rights. Period.

[runningboard]

don't know if it's already been posted elsewhere but here a letter posted on KHQ's website from Alan Botzheim to the people in Pend Oreille county. I first saw it in the local newspaper the Miner.

PEND OREILLE COUNTY, Wash. - With gun control a major topic around the nation, many Sheriffs in Washington and Idaho counties have released their position on the 2nd Amendment. Tuesday, the Sheriff of Pend Oreille County, Mr. Alan Botzheim, released his position to KHQ. It is stated in full as follows:


To the Citizens of Pend Oreille County,


Recently, there has been much discussion and debate from all sides regarding gun control.

As the Sheriff of Pend Oreille County, I was elected by our citizens to serve our citizens.  I do that by honoring my Oath of Office in supporting the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington.

I hold my Oath of Office as the guiding commitment to my actions each and every day.  As such, my office will not participate in any action that would violate our citizens' Constitutional rights, to include the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. 

My pledge to you is that I will remain steadfast in defending your freedoms, preserving the peace and tranquility and securing your individual rights enumerated through the Constitution of the United States. 

I remain, first and foremost responsible and accountable to you, the citizens of Pend Oreille County. 

 
Alan Botzheim, Sherff

Pend Oreille County

link where I got this from
http://www.khq.com/story/20803841/sheriff-alan-open-letter-to-the-citizens-of-pend-oreille-county

[huntrights]

Sheriff Botzheim is one of the first to respond to the message I sent to the sheriffs of Washington.  Hopefully more will make a statement and let their constituents know that they will truly defend and protect our Constitutional Rights – in particular, Amendment II.

[huntrights]

State fights back against feds on guns

http://www.wnd.com/2013/02/state-fights-back-against-feds-on-guns/

[csaaphill]

Anyone doing this yet? Guess ill email that list.

[huntrights]

Anyone doing this yet? Guess ill email that list.

Please do.  They need to hear from all of us.  Take note of the corrected email addresses for two of the sheriffs and that 3 of them do not seem to use email addresses for public communication anymore.  That is, don't worry when you get the failed email delivery for a few of the sheriffs, just add the two corrected email addresses to the list.  At least we're getting to 36 out of 39 sheriffs.

[csaaphill]

done

[lokidog]

Sent.

[csaaphill]

responses i got so far
Thank you for your message. It expresses thoughts shared by many throughout our country and my county. I have looked over many of the gun-law related petitions reportedly from sheriff's that are floating around the internet and email country and have noted numerous errors and inaccuracies to the degree that I am not comfortable putting my name to them. That doesn't mean that I do not agree with them in concept, only that if I have something to say, I'll say it.

 

That being said, I am including here a link to the letter I have written to my constituents here in Cowlitz County expressing my stand on this issue. http://www.cowlitzsheriff.org/uploads/1/1/1/2/11126555/2nd_amendment_rights_letter.pdf. Additionally, I have attached the resolution recently published by the National Sheriff’s Association.

 

Please do not confuse a sheriff's unwillingness to put his name to an electronic petition (we all know you can believe everything you read on the internet) with lack of commitment or passion on an issue. We are all independently elected to our office and respond to the folks who put us there in the manner that best serves our citizens.

 

Thank you again for voicing your thoughts and asking the question. It benefits us all when citizens across the country use their voice in order to express their sentiments. I would encourage you to make sure to let both your state and federal legislators know your thoughts as well.

[pianoman9701]

Sheriff Lucas from Clark Co. called me on the phone. He told me that state law says the sheriffs aren't required to furnish gun ownership and CPL information to the feds and he won't as long as he's not required to.

[csaaphill]

obviously were seeing the dividng line then. Some will stand some won't.

[bigtex]

Quite a big difference between the Pierce and Snohomish County Sheriff views and the views of the other's on the eastside.

[csaaphill]

only getting two replys the rest aren't even bothering to send me a go to haides mail.

[lokidog]

only getting two replys the rest aren't even bothering to send me a go to haides mail.

Same here.

[huntrights]

Interesting.  I got 4 replies.  Maybe they are having some discussions among themselves, or maybe they are just remaining politically silent.

It is good to write them; they are elected and therefore they are our "Representatives" in the law enforcement world.

[csaaphill]

Interesting.  I got 4 replies.  Maybe they are having some discussions among themselves, or maybe they are just remaining politically silent.

It is good to write them; they are elected and therefore they are our "Representatives" in the law enforcement world.

but ya good to keep incontact with em.

[huntrights]

These are letters you must read:


Saratoga County Deputy Sheriffs' Police Benevolent Association -
Letter to New York Governor Cuomo and legislative representatives:

http://issuu.com/nssfpublications/docs/saratogapoliceassociation_letter?mode=window&viewMode=singlePage


Fresno County, CA Sheriff Margaret Mims sent this letter to VP Biden on January 18, 2013.

http://www.fresnosheriff.org/images/pdfs/letter-to-vp-biden.pdf


Utah Sheriffs' Association -
Letter to President Obama:

http://issuu.com/nssfpublications/docs/utahsheriffsassociation_letter?mode=window&viewMode=singlePage


New York State Sheriff's Association - 
Letter to New York Governor Cuomo:

http://issuu.com/nssfpublications/docs/nyssa_letter?mode=window&viewMode=singlePage

[csaaphill]

ya good stuff hope they stick to it.

[JJD]

Sheriff Wade Magers;
As Sheriff of Lincoln County, I was elected by our citizens to SERVE our citizens. I do that by honoring my oath of office and supporting the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of the State of Washington.

My office will not participate in any action that would violate our citizens’ Constitutional rights, to include the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.
 

[smittyJ]

Our Mason County Sheriff met with citizens today, he was very straight forward but he was not happy about all the letters and emails asking him if he honors the oath of office, he has a job to do and does not have time to respond. If we want to know his position, read the oath. This on slot of mail could be better served if directed at our state and federal congress. (My thought, not his)

[huntrights]

Our Mason County Sheriff met with citizens today, he was very straight forward but he was not happy about all the letters and emails asking him if he honors the oath of office, he has a job to do and does not have time to respond. If we want to know his position, read the oath. This on slot of mail could be better served if directed at our state and federal congress. (My thought, not his)

Being elected and taking that oath of office puts all of our Sheriffs in a very unique position.  Many Sheriffs around the the country are just as upset about the attacks on our rights as we are; they are taking a stand by their oaths and issuing some very strong statements regarding their positions. 

He should know we are writing our elected state and federal Congressional Representatives as well.

[smittyJ]

It was interesting that he, the county prosecuter and a councilman were all CPL holders and wished all would get CPL and training!

[huntrights]

I just received this message and link to the video from Maryland Delegate Kevin Kelly.  Watch the video; it is well worth the time.  The last speaker sent a clear message regarding how worthless gun control legislation is.

“The following Video “link” SPEAKS VOLUMES.  The video is of Maryland Sheriffs, representing the 24 “Elected” Sheriffs of the Maryland Sheriffs’ Association (MSA), testifying in OPPOSITION to Gun Control Legislation and specifically in OPPOSITION to SB 281 / HB 294.  The video shows the “Elected” Sheriffs testifying at March 1, 2013 “Gun Control Hearings” conducted before the Maryland House of Delegates’ Judiciary Committee and the Maryland House of Delegates’ Health and Government Operations Committee.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogS0gSV6eP0

The Maryland State Lodge, Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) representing over 23,000 active and retired Maryland State, County, Bi-County, Municipal and Federal, rank and file, Law Enforcement Officers has also taken a position of vehement OPPOSITION to Gun Control Legislation and specifically in OPPOSITION to SB 281 / HB 294. This position of FOP OPPOSITION also SPEAKS VOLUMES.”

[huntrights]

More Colorado sheriffs balk at gun-control measures

http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/in-the-news/2013/3/more-colorado-sheriffs-balk-at-gun-control-measures.aspx

http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_22835851/more-colorado-sheriffs-balk-at-gun-control-measures

http://www.steamboattoday.com/news/2013/mar/19/routt-moffat-county-sheriffs-against-new-gun-laws/

[pianoman9701]

I hope their constituents support them in their next election bids.

[huntrights]

Kopel: Successes in Colorado Sheriffs' Second Amendment case

http://www.nraila.org/news-issues/in-the-news/2013/7/kopel-successes-in-colorado-sheriffs-second-amendment-case.aspx