A lot of people have been talking about the Utah Sherriffs’ Association letter that was sent to President Obama last week. 28 of 29 sheriffs signed the letter. By far this has been one of the most united and aggressive stands for 2nd Amendment rights to date. I applaud the Law Enforcement officials of Utah for taking a firm stand and likely inspiring more Patriotic Americans to follow suit. United we stand! It occurred to me that a lot of people are talking about this letter, but few have probably read the full text. Here it is:
Dear President Obama:
We, the elected sheriffs of Utah, like so many of our fellow Americans, are literally heartbroken for the loved ones of the murdered victims in Connecticut. As Utahans, we are not strangers to this kind of carnage—one of the latest being the 2007 Trolley Square murders wherein nine innocents were gunned down—five losing their lives.
We also recognize the scores of other recent domestic massacres, which have decimated countless honorable lives. As Americans, we value the sanctity of life. Furthermore, similar to our inspired Founders, we acknowledge our subservience to a higher power.
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.
As your administration and Congress continue to grapple with the complex issue of firearm regulations, we pray that the Almighty will guide the People’s Representatives collectively. For that reason, it is imperative this discussion be had in Congress, not silenced unilaterally by executive orders. As you deliberate, please remember the Founders of this great nation created the Constitution, and its accompanying Bill of Rights, in an effort to protect citizens from all forms of tyrannical subjugation.
We respect the Office of the President of the United States of America. But, make no mistake, as the duly-elected sheriffs of our respective counties, we will enforce the rights guaranteed to our citizens by the Constitution. No federal official will be permitted to descend upon our constituents and take from them what the Bill of Rights—in particular Amendment II—has given them. We, like you, swore a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and we are prepared to trade our lives for the preservation of its traditional interpretation.
The Utah Sheriffs’ Association
The D.C. Clothesline 
Well meant comments but are they of any real help. Here’s a novel thought to use as a metric for the usefulness of “feel good” thoughts regarding to praying to the Allmighty to provide our decision makers the wisdom to make the right deciisions in our behalf – If you filled one of your hands with the results of earlier good intentions and crapped in the other, guess which would fill with reality first. My point is esoteric statements are a waste of time to both the composer and the reader. It would be far better to concentrate our finite time on concentrating proposed solutions to perceived problem statements rather than throwing the proverbial turds up against the wall and wait to see what sticks and which do not. Stop wasting precious time, if you are going to raise the issue of a problem, you should, at least, propose an initial solution. Otherwise, keep your thoughts to yourself.
I think they are of some help in diverting focus toward other solutions, though the letter doesn’t highlight those solutions. I saw Obama on PBS tonight and he was obviously walking on eggshells when asked about this letter. Though you do have a point that they offered no solutions. In all fairness however, the solutions that have been offered from the right have pretty much been discounted. I don’t personally like the NRA plan because it calls for bigger government, but it seems like it fell on dear ears anyway. 23,000 of our American schools already have armed guards and these schools are not where the shootings are taking place. Now my opinion is that communities should be voting on this and it should not be up to the feds to mandate, but we all have opinions. I can see your point fully. I do however, think they made it very clear as to where they stand on the 2nd amendment. If they would have offered solutions it would have been even better.
I forwarded this to my senator
I hope it helps. I have a really cynical attitude towards letters to the representatives. I don’t think they even get looked at half the time. I think one of their aids looks at them and sends the appropriate form letter response. Hopefully they are not all like that but I feel that many and probably most are.
Reblogged this on bearspawprint.
That’s awesome.
Good letter. One suggestion, change “…and take from them what the Bill of Rights—in particular Amendment II—has >givenprotected for< them. Rights exist with or without government. Governments may violate a right, it does not give a right.
I would assume a few of the men who signed this felt the same way. But notice how careful they are to avoid religious polarity in that letter, talking about ALMIGHTY and Higher Power. I think they were playing a little political correctness there. My personal belief is that the constitution protects rights that were given to me by God. But if I say that in the wrong company I am seen as a zealot. I would suspect that they may have tried to walk a little too softly on certain topics.
I live in Utah. I replied to my county sheriff with the following:
If I can be of any service to you in the future; my time, talents, skills and abilities are yours for the asking.
Two law enforcement degrees. Twenty-nine year affiliation with the U.S. Army. Seven years enlisted soldier Combat Arms – Infantry. Two years Army ROTC. Distinguished Military Graduate. Twenty years commissioned officer Combat Support – Military Police Corps
NRA Benefactor Member
Oath Keeper Member
I live in Utah as well, thank you for offering your help. =D What part of Utah, if you don’t mind my asking? Do you know people all over the state? I would like to locate people that are in my area, but I don’t know where to look.
So why is it you are still arresting citizens for possessing firearms.
I beg you to show the words “unless, is except” in the second amendment.