[Update] Utah Sheriffs' Association sent a letter to Obama also. (Link to letter and text here)
We can now add two Missouri Sheriffs to the list of those speaking out against any new gun laws that would violate the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
An open letter sent to Obama from MO Sheriff Charles, posted to the Johnson County MO Sheriff's Office Facebook page.
January 16, 2013
The Honorable Barak Obama
President United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President,
My name is Charles M. Heiss and I am the Sheriff of Johnson County, Missouri. I have held this office since January 1, 1997. I am writing to you to express my concern with the tone of your administration with respect to the Second Amendment Rights of American citizens. It appears to me and many Americans that there is a genuine desire on the part of your administration to restrict the Second Amendment rights of law abiding American citizens in the interest of curbing gun violence in our nation.
Throughout our nations history the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights has served as the very foundation of our free society. The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution has long guaranteed our citizens the right to keep and bear arms and is central to our ability to live in a free society. Any attempt to restrict these Second Amendment rights through executive order is unconstitutional and tantamount to an all out assault on the United States Constitution. Just as the Fourth Amendment to the constitution guarantees our citizens the right to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable search and seizure, the Second Amendment guarantees each of us the right to keep and bear arms to protect ourselves from anyone who would seek to cause us harm. This includes the federal Government.
World history has shown us that when a society does not possess the ability to defend itself it becomes ripe for victimization by criminals, and ripe for government oppression. One need not look too far in today’s world to see glaring examples of defenseless people being brutalized by rogue regimes and dictators. Syria, North Korea, and Mali are just a few examples of this type of oppression. Mexico is a stark reminder of a society overrun with criminal element in the form of Drug Cartels.
As the duly elected Sheriff of Johnson County, Missouri, it is my sworn duty to protect and defend the Constitutions of the United States of America, and the State of Missouri against all enemies both foreign and domestic. This means I not only have the duty to protect my constituents from incidents of crime, but I also have a duty and responsibility to protect and preserve the individual rights and liberties afforded and guaranteed to every citizen by our constitutions. This, Mr. President is a duty I fully understand, appreciate, and will carry out with great vigor and conviction. I will most certainly urge my fellow Sheriffs in the State of Missouri and across this great nation to rise to the defense and aid of all Americans should the federal government attempt to enact any legislation, or executive order that impedes, erodes, or otherwise diminishes their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. I will use all means legal to meet this solemn and sacred responsibility.
Respectfully,
Charles M. Heiss
Sheriff Johnson County, Missouri.
This position is also the one of Steve Cox, the Livingston County sheriff.
According to KCTV 5 News, Kansas City, these two Sheriffs are asking that other Sheriffs in Missouri and across the country "to rise to the defense and aid of all Americans should the federal government attempt to enact any legislation, or executive order that impedes, erodes, or otherwise diminishes their constitutional right to keep and bear arms. I will use all means legal to meet this solemn and sacred responsibility."
Sheriffs in Kentucky, Oregon , Colorado and Alabama have already issued their own letters or spoken out publicly saying they would not enforce or allow and new gun regulations to be enforced in their counties.
Multiple states are also introducing legislation that will make it illegal for any new gun laws to be enforced in their state and threatening arrest, jail and fines for anyone attempting to enforce any new gun laws Congress passes or Obama issues by