When it comes to guns and gun violence, few know more about the topic than law enforcement officers who deal directly with it. They’re not prone to emotional or technically incompetent arguments that gun control supporters often espouse.
Therefore, it’s particularly notable that the County Sheriffs of Colorado have come out strongly against a number of proposed gun control measures by legislative Democrats, specifically an “assault” weapon ban, or bans on high capacity magazines, bulk purchases of ammo or private sales of firearms.
Reports The Denver Post‘s Kurtis Lee:
The County Sheriffs of Colorado has released a memo that outlines tough stances against many of the gun legislation efforts slated to be proposed by state Democrats in coming weeks.
The nonpartisan group of sheriffs says that hasty reactions to mass shootings in an Aurora movie theater last July and at a elementary school in Newtown, Conn., last month should not result in the introduction of new gun control measures.
…Executive Director Christopher H. Olson said the memo is the general idea of what the majority of Colorado’s 64 sheriffs believe is appropriate when it comes to gun legislation.
“I haven’t had had one sheriff that says ‘I absolutely don’t agree with what’s being said in this paper,’ ” Olson said.
You can read the full memo from the County Sheriffs of Colorado here.
There are two important arguments that have now been leveled against these proposed gun-grabbing measures.
The first is that laid out in the Sheriffs’ memo — basically people have a right to defend themselves and proposed legislation would inhibit that right. Or, as Lee quoted in his piece:
“Law enforcement officers carry high capacity magazines because there are times when 10 rounds might not be enough to end the threat,” writes the group. “County Sheriffs of Colorado believe the same should be hold true for civilians who wish to defend themselves, especially if attacked by multiple assailants.”
The second argument that has been made by both gun rights supporters, as well as Senate President John Morse, is that these measures would do nothing to stop gun violence, nothing to prevent future tragedies likes Aurora or Newtown.
As Morse said to CBS4: “How does a limit on high-capacity magazines reduce violence?”
If those on the front lines of gun violence believe these measures aren’t necessary, nor would they be effective, why then again are supporters pushing them?
These new gun laws are a backdoor way for the government to remove guns from the people! If I let u or anyone shoot any of my guns we are both now Felons and would have to turn our guns in. Capacity limits has nothing to do with anything except to open the door to take guns from the people.
Good going, people! Finally some logical thinking….
Thank you
Thank you County Sheriffs of Colorado for your support
Thank you Sherriff's!!
There will always be "that one time" where someone might need more than 11 rounds for some reason. We are not going to solve this problem by limiting rounds per clip. We are only going to lower the body count and I'll settle for that. BTW, I just read a very recent story (that one time) where your referenced little old lady was armed (gun in hand) but the guy broke in and took her gun away. Now another burglar has a gun for his next job.
Non partisan? What a joke.
What about an aging, infirm granny or a single woman, living alone and facing multiple assailants? Force them to reload after 10 rounds, too? Forcing this on them is cowardly and despicable. (Unless you're a criminal.) Meanwhile, hunting is a sport and the rules of the sport are already set at 5 rounds. But self defense isn't a sport and the Second Amendment isn't about hunting. Neither is the Colorado Constitution, which states that the right of the people to keep arms for their own defense "shall never be called in question."
I'm a Democrat but if you take with my guns you take whey my freedom signed Richard Dean Smith
unfortunatly, I believe they have a bigger agenda in store for us and it is going to be ugly. I do not think anyone who has the countrys best interest in mind could even consider taking our guns. God Bless you
I'm from East Texas, and retired from the Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice ID(prison) and I've seen the criminal mind at work, so believe me when I say, give Law Enforcement all the firepower they want or think they need, because they most likely do.And even now as a civilian I have a conceal carry permit, for my own safety.If anyone thinks that putting a limit on how many rounds a mag. will hold, or banning (assault) rifles, are crazy.The only thing they will do if they do this dis-arm the law abiding citizen, the criminal (who doesn't give a #$%^%^&&)will still be armed, and bolder than ever , with nothing to fear or stop him. I can't understand why Our leaders in congress can't see this simple fact.All they need do is look at the nations that have have put bans on their citizens, the crime rate has sky rocketed, along with violence, and they don't have to look far, just across the boarder to Mexico.If you haven't guessed by now I'm 100% with the Sheriffs, and hope many more follow their example, and 100% against anyone who would try to take away our 2nd Admendment rights.
Thank you, Sheriff!!!
If an officer is forced into a combat situation, then he should have as many rounds as possible before reloading. If a GI Joe affectionado and wannabe cop is forced into a "combat situation" at the firing range or in the mountains hunting deer, he can suck it up and reload after 10 rounds.
more need to know this as fact.
I hope all sheriffs do this accross the country, Most average citizens do not useguns with high-capacity magazines, but banning them is a gateway to taking all guns.
Well said!