Letters to the Editor for Feb. 12, 2013

Support HB 1788 State Representative Liz Pike’s new Bill, HB 1788, would make it lawful for trained school personnel to carry concealed in public schools, just as one out of 15 Washington state citizens now legally possess concealed carry licenses and are able to carry in public places. HB 1788 is Pike’s responsible legislation to avoid a Sandy Hook Elementary school shooting in our state’s school districts, and is the only effective deterrent and defense that could be available to school personnel, should a deranged attacker do what all school shooters have done: 1 - Ignore or break every gun law 2 - Blow past school ‘safety zone — weapon free zone’ signs and defeat school security measures 3 - Gain access to the children inside a building or schoolroom and wantonly slay the helpless, terrified children and school personnel. It’s what school shooters do. Monica Stonier wants to do what “educrats,” waffling politicians, anti-gun advocacy groups and emotion-based thinkers have already done repeatedly, though it has had no effect whatsoever: “Get tough on gun crimes.” This layering of new restrictions and laws on law-abiding citizens has been proven not to affect crazed school shooters at all. Jim Moeller says Representative Pike has only offered this Bill in order to make her ‘feel good.’ Such jabs at a fellow legislator are not only insulting, they show that for the knee-jerk anti-gun minority, actually saving children’s lives is not even a consideration. If you care about the survival of your children and grandchildren, should a deranged attacker gain access to them, if you think school personnel that volunteer for proper training should have the right to defend themselves and the children under their care, please give all your support to State Representative Liz Pike’s HB 1788. It is really the only way to save their lives. Robert R. Larimer Jr., Vancouver Skamania sheriff will defend citizens’ rights There has been much conversation following the horrific shootings in both Clackamas County, Ore., and Newtown, Conn. This conversation has again ignited the debate from all sides on the gun control issue. Several Sheriffs across the country have publicly stated their position as it relates to any new legislation or executive order that seeks to constrict or prohibit an individual right to keep and bear arms, as protected by the second amendment of the United States Constitution. In some cases, sheriffs have penned their position and sent an official letter to the vice president of the United States. Those letters appear to have been sent in an effort to inform the vice president of the position these sheriffs are taking in advance of any new restrictions. I have remained vigilant in this matter while holding a deep-rooted belief that regardless of the path the federal government chooses to pursue, I am first and foremost responsible and accountable to you. I do not feel compelled to explain my position to the executive or legislative branch of the United States government as I am neither responsible for their safety nor are my actions accountable to them. What should be stated to all of you is that I hold my oath of office as the guiding commitment to my actions each and every day. Therefore, I intend to defend the Constitution against any act that is deemed a threat to your right to keep and bear arms. Additionally, I will direct the actions of my deputies in a manner that is consistent with my belief and true to my oath. For the past 10 years, you have allowed me the honor and privilege to serve as your sheriff. I am grateful for this opportunity and stand ready, each and every day, to meet the challenges that seek to restrict your constitutionally protected freedoms. I fully intend to be steadfast in defending your freedoms, preserving peace and tranquility and securing your individual rights enumerated through the Constitution of the United States. I commit to all of you that I will, to the best of my ability, stand tall against any intrusion upon those rights. Dave Brown, sheriff, Skamania County

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