I'm now a politician, sort of... What can I do to further gun rights?

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Trey Veston

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Idaho/Washington border
I ran for and won a city councilman seat in my little town in Eastern Washington. It's a long story, but 5 seats came up for grabs and I put in for the one that oversees the police and fire departments. My opponent ended up meeting a woman online in Missouri and left town and dropped out of the race, but not before the ballots were printed. Even though I'm currently ahead, I could still get fewer votes but still will get appointed in January.

So, here I am in a tiny town in a state that recently passed offensive and ridiculous new gun control laws via Initiative 1639 last year.

https://ballotpedia.org/Washington_...ship_and_Purchase_Requirements_Measure_(2018)

One of my reasons for filing was that I had heard talk that the Chief of Police in my town was of less than honorable and reasonable character. Due to the new law, any pistol or semi-automatic rifle purchase I wish to make has to be approved by him after giving him full access to my medical and mental health records. I'm now technically his boss. I have regrettably not purchased any new firearms since the law took effect and will continue to refrain from making such purchases until I can be assured that a person of good character and honor will be reviewing such private records.

I took the position with the intent and philosophy that he who governs least governs best. But in this current age of activist movements and near daily attacks on our freedoms and liberty, I feel compelled to do SOMETHING to help preserve freedom and liberty, if even at such a micro level.

I am aware of at least one sheriff in my state that has declared his county a "sanctuary county" in regards to the new gun control legislation.

I know that there are some very intelligent and savvy legal and political minds on this site in regards to gun control and politics.

I have yet to meet my new fellow council members and the new mayor, but from what I've gleaned from their social media postings, all but a couple are of a similar political leanings to mine.

The bottom line and purpose of my post is to discover if there is anything I can do at this micro level to help the cause of gun rights and preserve the Constitution?
 
I would suggest you find and develop a conversational friendship with a local lawyer who's likeminded. I'll bet your state NRA branch could arrange a lunch with some folks who share you values and know the territory.
 
Speak only to Second Amendment Purity. Don't start with the left, the liberals, the socialists are coming. You will be instantly dismissed by half the populace. Speak to reasons why all Americans need the RKBA. Might study up on how arms have protected minorities and they still need those protections and not to be disarmed.

Let other fight the social issues - if you want to trumpet other agendas, you dilute your effectiveness. So my advice is to pay attention to the business of government - making the water flow, etc. and just speak rationally to the 2 Amendment.
 
Sugar draws more flies than vinegar.

In other words build positive relationships with Sheriff, Police, Fire Chiefs, with other Council members and other powers that be in your community. Build a consensus on all community issues.

Follow the money.

Control of the Sheriff Department budget will accomplish much.

Consult with your City Attorney and State Attorney General on how much control you have on the local level.

Listen more and talk less.
 
Revoke the law. Start a massive campaign on how it volatiles 1st and 2nd ammendment rights.
 
My recommendation would be to resolve to do your new job throughly and well. Know what’s going on in your fire and police departments on all topics, not just on 2A topics.

When you first meet with the chiefs, ask them what their plans are (to improve department performance, community safety, etc), and what you can do to help THEM. Don’t do anything against your beliefs, but in your FD needs a new truck and its in your power to get it, you can make a lot of friends who can help you on other things.

Find out what your responsibilities are and what you can actually change. Learn who has the power to overrule you (within the city council and outside like county or state level) and get them on your side, or at least find a way to prevent them from interfering.

I’d recommend against setting a hard line on selective enforcement early on. Find out what most of the service calls are and get the departments to focus on those. Regarding the purchase approval process, suggest the chief delegate that to an individual who reports to him (if not already done) and possibly recommend a formal policy guiding approvals (ie create a process that is basically “shall issue” unless there is a red flag)
 
You will catch more flies with honey than vinegar; build rapport with these folks. Remember, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so look and listen more than speaking to see where they really lie and what their agendas are. Never give up your hand until you know where they stand. If they are not on your page, then find ones who are and go accordingly

Good luck! Maybe you can make a symbolic gesture ab out being a 2A sanctuary city
 
Pretty sure I can guess the town from your remark about the CoP.

Yep, repealing 1639 has to start at the grass-roots level. Your job should be convincing gun owners to actually get off their arses and vote! The percentage of registered voters that actually voted in E. Washington the past couple general elections (that stuck us with 594 and 1639) was pitiful. And tragic, considering that your side of the state has, per capita, the most gun owners and CPL-holders of all the state residents.

Major kudos to you for stepping up and showing up; best of luck in that position. Think you'll find it truly enlightening -- remember, all politics is local.

And, by the way, several sheriffs and at least one chief declared their counties and town 2A sanctuaries in Eastern Washington. We've only got one strong 2A sheriff out here (Mason County), but he's pretty sharp.
 
If you haven't read Robert Greene's book 50 laws of power, he talks about never letting anyone know what you are thinking. (Interesting book, i recommend it) To some, 2nd amendment supporters are automatically seen as radicals not worth listening to.

Don't let anyone know your thoughts verbally, just through your actions. Keep an open line of communication with both parties, but never reveal what you are thinking. Smile and nod at everyone, but continue to do your thing. You were elected because people thought you would represent them, even if they didn't know your politics. Stay true to you.
 
You can push 1094 as far as it will go. Then try to get 594 delared unconstitutional.

You swore to uphold and defend the constitution. Do that. Be a rare, very rare elected official. Take that oath to heart. Live it every single day.

I already hold you in high regard. Many do, just because you came here and sought our opinions.

Don't let us down.
 
Final vote count was done and I won by 6 votes. 366 people voted out of around 500 eligible in the town, which is pretty high voter turnout. I honestly didn't expect to get the majority votes due to the popularity of the other guy and my hermit-like existence in town, so that was a nice surprise.

I have a ton of research and learning to do in regards to official duties and powers and all that. Looking to mostly keep my head down and be polite and respectful of my fellow council members, even though one of them lists her occupation as "cultural artist" and is about as liberal as they come.

I'll have to tread lightly and be mindful of the constituency in regards to introducing any pro-gun measures.

I honestly don't know if there's anything I could do at this level that would be meaningful. Which was sort of the whole point of the OP.

The biggest challenge our town faces is keeping our law enforcement officers. There is a shortage nationwide of people willing to be cops, and the nearest "big" town pays around $70k a year. We can't afford that. We had to fire one officer because something in his background caused him to be unfit that wasn't revealed in the initial BI. That was a bit of a scandal.

I imagine my first order of business will be to meet with the department heads I now oversee and get a feel for them and their concerns, and then talk to their employees to get the same.

Again, if anyone has an idea of what I could do to further gun rights at the micro level, that would be most welcome.

Perhaps an ordinance stating that the city may not deem any city property a "gun-free" zone? The only place in town that currently has a "no-firearms" sign is the post office, which is federal jurisdiction.

I do plan on carrying concealed to all of my council meetings.
 
Does your PD have their own range? Perhaps see if it can be opened to citizens for training and general use. Are any of the officers certified police instructors? Maybe you can get retired officers in your town to take their annual HR218 re-qualification through them.

Classes for permit training?

Work on better police-community relations, better for both sides if they meet and get to know each other. My town runs a "citizen's police academy" annually, where they invite citizens in for one night a week for several weeks giving them an idea what the police do, and how they do it.

They show them some police work and have the people do it themselves, i.e., clearing a building properly, armed with air soft guns, and doing a simulated car stop, among others. We fingerprinted each other. They took us to their range in town and had us doing live fire. They brought in guest speakers like the town prosecutor, judge, and head of the local narcotics task force, along with a DEA agent.

They don't have their own K-9 officer, but they brought in a K-9 officer and dog from an adjacent town that they cooperate with. He ran the dog, a Belgian Malinois, through his paces, looking for drugs and stopping a person on command. Fortunately, he didn't come across any drugs on the citizens.

I took it just to see how the police in this small town operate. It was valuable for me because I didn't know state law where I'd moved to, so I asked a lot of questions. But I drew the line at getting Tazed. lol
 
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be a decent human being and uphold your office honorably. don't worry about advocating for one position over another all that much. you will get your chance now and then but you do not want to be pigeon holed as a gun nut because it seems like the only thing you care about. believe it or not, there are more important things.
 
Local sheriff's department has a "Citizen's Academy" one weekend a month that is open to anyone who wants to come in and spend 2hrs a weekend learning about how the deputies do their jobs. It helps the voters see what their tax dollars go to and it helps them understand the complicated job of law enforcement. It also makes the department see the people who come in as people and not just potential problems. The more of us that attend such events the more we can help make it clear our interest in the 2A.
 
I'm on the other end of the country, but I support your goal. I will encourage you, however, to not be a one-issue councilman. Doing the totality of your job well will get you re-elected and in a position of influence. Ignoring other public safety issues to press for 2A rights will get you voted out. Keep up the fight.
 
I dont know much about politics but it seems like everyone nowadays is either pushing agendas en mass or just worried about doing whatever it takes to get re elected.

If it were me I'd get wholeheartedly involved in your community and talk with your constituents. Church, events for the needy, community sales, concerts, festivals, fairs, car shows, turkey shoots ect, anything and everything that you have time for to get you into touch with the community.

You can certainly advocate for the 2nd while being humble and more importantly listening to the many other issues that folks are concerned about and trying to address those things as well.


I applaud your drive and wish you well.
 
I imagine my first order of business will be to meet with the department heads I now oversee and get a feel for them and their concerns, and then talk to their employees to get the same.

That would be an excellent expenditure of effort on your part which I might suggest taking further. Why not look for those on the current council to invite along and strike up a fellowship with, starting with those you feel at ease around. Volunteer to take notes as they take the lead but remember to stay engaged in the conversation to assure officials that you are more than a secretary (no offense meant), but an important potential vote and ally.

Speaking quickly as I’m able to your concerns about the COP, getting to know a person can give more insight than heresay or rumor. We all carry faults, champion causes, and feel we are right. Truly winning at politics means more than getting your way, it means trying to do what is right without alienating others.

Thank you for stepping up, it can make a difference and remember; hermits change shells as they grow but the fact is you are human, you have far more potential than a crustacean, you don’t need a shell, and you’re already proving it. I wish you well.
 
Gee, I thought I might add something here, but you have been given a plethora of very good advice already. What I would offer is to stick to your principals. I was involved in township and county government for nearly 20 years as an elected and appointed critter. If you stick to your principals, you will be different. You will find that those with less of a strong foundation will usually bend. You should also maintain an attitude of conviviality. I agree with honey attracting. Join the NRA if you already haven't. Find if your state has a statewide firearm group. The Crime Prevention Resource Center, Dr. John Lott Jr could be a great resource.
 
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