Use the Police to Support the Second Amendment

Police that support the Second Amendment give disarmists nightmares.  In theory, all police should support the Second Amendment.  They all take an office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.   The oath has been ignored by many for decades.  That is changing.

20 years ago, Sheriff Richard Mack of Graham County, Arizona had the fortitude to challenge the constitutionality of the Brady act.  He won.  It set an important precedent.  Sheriff Mack then founded the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, an organization of Sheriffs and police officers that follow their oaths of office.  Their website states that they have "Enlisted 500 sheriffs to stand with CSPOA in defense of the Second Amendment. "  There are about 3,080 Sheriffs in the United States.

This year,  Sheriff Daryl Wheeler of Bonner County, Idaho
rallied to support the Second Amendment rights of one of his constituents:

On August 6, residents and Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler lined up outside the Priest River, Idaho, home of veteran John Arnold to prevent the Veterans Administration (VA) from taking away his guns.

The same month, Police Chief Jeffrey Horvath of Lewes, Delaware, refuses to enforce an unconstitutional law:

From the police department’s side, Chief Jeffrey Horvath said the idea of enforcing something he sees as unconstitutional is untenable.
“The Delaware constitution says you have the right to keep and bear arms. That’s exactly how it’s worded,” Chief Horvath said.

In May of 2013 Sheriff Timothy B. Howard  of New York said that the SAFE act is Unconstitutional, and he will not enforce it.:

“I’m more than reluctant,” he said of the new law Thursday. “I won’t enforce it.”

Howard, one of four sheriffs who joined in filing the brief this week, said he considers the law unconstitutional and a waste of valuable resources, and believes it will ultimately be overturned by the courts.

Sheriff Howard was reelected.

Liberty County Sheriff Nick Finch of Florida refused to charge a law abiding citizen with carrying a gun in his pocket.  A state prosecutor charged him with crimes, but a jury vindicated him.

“Nick Finch, the Florida sheriff arrested in June after he defended the Second Amendment, has been declared ‘not guilty’ of the charges brought against him by the State of Florida, according to [former Graham County, Arizona, Sheriff] Richard Mack.

Where police support the Second Amendment, it is secure.  Politically, when police leaders decide that armed citizens are allies instead of enemies, we have won.  When State Police testified for Constitutional Carry, even with a Democrat majority, Constitutional Carry won.

Most police officers are supportive of an armed citizenry.   Because of long experience dealing with criminals, they know how effective personal arms can be.  Most have had positive experiences with armed defenders and recommend that people buy guns and train with them.  They know the old media lies about armed defense because they experience it daily.  They take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution.   Police in the United States do not live in protected, "green zone" enclaves.  They have non-police friends, family and associates.  Many are already strong Second Amendment supporters.  Police and Sheriff Departments are a rich source of natural allies.

Most police officers have been sympathetic to armed citizens, but it was the success of the concealed carry movement that persuaded police chiefs like James Craig of Detroit to tout the benefits of armed self defense.   Once Chief Craig was on board, the whole tone of the City of Detroit about armed citizens changed.  Armed self defense is celebrated in the City.   Sheriff David Clarke won reelection as a Second Amendment Supporter against a Bloomberg funded campaign in Milwaukee.

Federal and State governments rely on local police to enforce gun laws.  When police refuse to enforce unconstitutional laws, tyrants in government are stymied.  Consider recent events in Colorado, Washington State, and New York for examples.

Sheriffs can be elected directly.  Mayors and City Councils can be pushed to hire Police Chiefs that take their oath seriously.   Governors can be pushed to appoint State Police leaders with the correct attitude.   Officers with bad attitudes should be identified and disciplined.   Activism by 2A advocates has resulted in numerous legal settlements and positive training changes for police departments across the country.

In the worst case, police patriots will be crucial intelligence assets in restoring  the Constitution against a tyrannical government.  The time to develop those assets is now.   When the government cannot trust police to follow unconstitutional orders, tyranny becomes harder.  Recruit police to the side of the Constitution.  It kills gun control.

 Definition of disarmist

©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.     Link to Gun Watch