As the fallout continues
from the shooting at the Pulse Night Club in Orlando, once again
responsible Americans are asking how did Omar Mateen legally purchase
the AR 15 Assault Weapon that he used in part to slaughter 49
innocent people?
As usual; the NRA and
their fellow travelers are trying to block any sensible look at
stopping these weapons from getting into the hands of terrorists or
lunatics or both. Somehow, this all Barack Obama's fault.
As a journalist, I am
strong believer in the Bill Of Rights. But as a citizen of Riverside
County, I am perplexed by the fascination with firearms by Sheriff
Stan Sniff Jr. A look at his official, not private Facebook page show
a complete and rather unhealthy obsession with guns. It contains ads
for gun shows. NRA propaganda. Sniff uses both his official position
and stationary to write letters opposing any attempts at sensible gun
legislation. I didn't realize all this was part of his official
duties. I am pretty sure it isn't.
Now even though he is
Sheriff, Mr. Sniff doesn't lose any of his rights as a citizen. But
his political positions belong nowhere on official stationery. It is
baffling to me why the Board of Supervisors hasn't asked him to cut
this out. This isn't his first time.
In 2013 the Sheriff
attacked Senator Diane Feinstein for proposing an assault weapons ban
after the massacre in Newtown. Connecticut. I wrote a Valley Voice
piece on the subject then. I was attacked not be Sheriff himself but
his pals in the Cowboy Action Shooting group to which he belonged.
These people dress up like Wyatt Earrp and Annie Oakley and fire
guns. Think Zane Grey on LSD.
As part of his vocal
attack on Proposition 47. Sheriff Sniff constantly brings up that the
stealing of a firearm is now treated way too leniently under the
statue. You know what, I agree with him. I think the law should be
changed in regards to firearms. What I do not agree to is a Sheriff
who is using his office to further the objectives of a rabid band of
irresponsible zealots. Who may one day use legally purchased Assault
Weapons against the brave men and women he commands.
Steve Kelly can be reached
at skelly@rrbroadcasting
or followed on Twitter @skellynj
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Steve, surely you know the designation "assault rifle" is nothing more than a legislative fiction. Also, the weapon used in Orlando was not an AR-15, despite media claims. I understand you strongly disagree with the NRA and its position regarding gun rights. But does that mean their position and statements are propaganda, as opposed to, say, claims by the Brady Center?
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