LE using their status as LE to support Pro-gun agendas...

[Autolycus]

I would like to create a thread in which we keep track of LE agencies that use their status as LE agencies to support pro-gun agendas throughout our nation. Basically I would like to collect links, pictures, and advertisements of LE using their status as LE to further a pro-gun agenda.

I would also like to see a thread in which we have the anti-gun agenda being furthered by LE using their status as LE to do so.

Link to Anti-gun thread.

 

[DMK]

I don't have a link, but a local sheriff's deputy(next county over) does our CCL classes. My local sheriff has gone on record in the paper as being supportive of concealed carry and actually recommended in print that folks learn how to use firearms to protect themselves.

Massad Ayoob is very supportive of the RKBA.

 

[armoredman]

I am very supportive of 2A rights, and don't hide it at work. My work and Olegs' work have been displayed here in this office, the last unit I was at, and e-mialed to others in the Dept. I doubt you will find an entire Department, as a political entity, that has a part of thier mission statement to support the Second Amendment. Would be nice. The only outfit I ever worked for that wasn't a gunshop was Armored Transport, who bragged about having a pistol team and being in partnership with the NRA, even though we never saw it.

 

[Autolycus]

Bump. Good examples so far. However I am looking for advertisements put forth by the PD and LEA themselves proclaiming support for the 2nd Amendment. The example of the officer teaching CCL classes is essentially a second income and probably not part of his official duties as an officer.

I would like examples where the support comes from the department itself and not individual officers.

 

[RKBABob]

http://www.leaa.org/index.html

This group's Executive Director, Jim Fotis, (a cop) had this to say:

When I'm asked if cops support gun control, I respond with a clarification: If by gun control, you mean taking guns away from every sullen-eyed slack who pushed rock cocaine, ripped off old ladies, mugged a pensioner, murdered an equally low-life, gang banger competitor, or defined his social encounters in terms of robbery, rape or murder, the answer is a resounding yes!

Every real cop I know is all for ripping weapons away from violent, criminal street-slime.

But that is not what gun control means to the Brady’s, the Clintons, Charles Schumer and, Dianne Feinstein. Their definition of gun control means restricting the rights of, and disarming, peaceable citizens. And the answer to that idea is a loud and clear, unambiguous "NO", at least from real cops.”

About public perceptions that street cops are against citizens being armed, he had this to say:

The Clinton Administration was particularly successful at enlisting police support for gun control. They funneled millions of your tax dollars in political payoffs, disguised as "research" into the pockets of national law enforcement organizations.

This era spawned several police "type" organizations with blatant anti-gun agendas, such as the so-called Police Foundation, followed by a host of clones, including the Police Executive Research Forum (PERF). One particularly heavily endowed group was International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), which has adopted a consistent anti-gun political agenda.

Other police groups such as the National Sheriffs Association and the Fraternal Order of Police which, previous to the Clinton era, tended to be neutral or leaning toward a pro-Second Amendment stance, were influenced into taking pro-gun control stands by the river of political money flowing from the Clinton Administration and its allies.

Link to the full article:http://www.leaa.org/Cops%20Versus%20Gun%20Control/copsversusguncon.html

LEAA has championed the very essential right of self-defense. Recognizing that they simply cannot be everywhere at once, no matter how hard they try, rank-and-file cops agree with LEAA that law-abiding citizens are safer when they posess the ability to defend themselves against a violent criminal attack.

 

[brighamr]

wow

I don't have much to add except the previous post is making me re-evaluate my position of LEOs... in a good way.

 

[Autolycus]

But how much credibility is given that organization by the mainstream media? I always hear about FOP and different chiefs of police organizations but never this one.

 

[ilbob]

But how much credibility is given that organization by the mainstream media? I always hear about FOP and different chiefs of police organizations but never this one.

The media view the LEAA as an arm of the NRA, so they don't give it the credibility it may deserve simply for that fact.

I think it is a huge mistake to hang your hat on LE supporting any individual rights. I don't see any of them coming out in favor of any other rights. Its just not their job.

 

[Autolycus]

True. But they do come out against our rights.

 

[ilbob]

True. But they do come out against our rights.

yes they do. And not just those protected by the 2A.

Government should not be espousing political POV. Police are government agencies.

 

[Zedicus]

Why should they Use their status as Police for this?

If you ask me, they shouldn't be allowed to use their status to support anything more than keeping the peace.

I'm not a Policeman but if I were and was asked to give my support for the 2nd Amendment I would only relate to Police experiences and give my Support to the 2nd Amendment as a "Individual US Citizen".

Far more Powerful of a Message if you ask me....

 

[GRIZ22]

Most agencies have regulations which prohibit officers from using their status as LEOs to promote anything.

I realize that this does not apply to the commissioners, chiefs, and sheriffs as CLEOs. It also doesn't apply to organizations (FOP, IACP, PBA, etc).

 

[ilbob]

I realize that this does not apply to the commissioners, chiefs, and sheriffs as CLEOs.

It should apply to all government employees and agencies with the exception of those who must run for office.

Government should not be advocating political POV. They should not be advocating 2A rights, or unrestricted abortion either.

 

[DMK]

But how much credibility is given that organization by the mainstream media?

The mainstream media will never give credibility to anyone that disagrees with their ideology. This is why Sarah Brady's gang is always quoted as firearms safety experts and the NRA is not. How many firearms safety classes has the Sarah Brady gang sponsored?

The media's support or non-support of something means nothing in terms of credibility.

 

[Autolycus]

In the eyes of society overall the media's support means something. Many people have heard of the FOP but I doubt many have heard of LEAA.

 

[RKBABob]

Ok, maybe not LE, technically, but here's a pro-gun mayor....
with a lukewarm back-up by the police.

Mayor Bright suggests crime solution: Buy a gun

"What we need to do... Is there any media? Chief, can I say this?," asked Mayor Bobby Bright at Tuesday's Kiwanis Club of Montgomery meeting.

"I've said it one time. Get a gun and teach our folks how to use them and shoot 'em."

Several members of the audience, approximately 100 members of the Kiwanis Club of Montgomery, broke out into nervous laughter and applause after Mayor Bright said this as the guest speaker.

To put this in context, Mayor Bright spoke directly to the issues of having an understaffed police force, clogged courts, and a vast majority of crime in Montgomery committed by the same relatively small number of people over and over again.

Bright went on to say,"There's going to be people out there who write me and say, 'Mayor, why are you doing this?' Listen to what I'm saying. Get your gun, learn how to shoot it, learn how to use it and use it. "

We asked the Montgomery Police Department what it thought of Mayor Bright's statements.

Spokesman Lt. Huey Thornton says, "The mayor made some good points. If a person chooses to own a handgun, then we think it is important that they know how to use that handgun and they know when the law allows them to use it."

Bright adds, "That's the only thing that we can really tell our folks to do at this point in time. If there's anything else that you know that the chief and i can do to keep this crime down, keep these guys from stealing... let me know."

Montgomery Police Chief Art Baylor is a Kiwanis Club member himself and was in attendance at Tuesday's meeting at the RSA Activity Center. WSFA 12 News tried several times to speak with Mayor Bright on camera, but he was unavailable for comment.

For people who do own a gun, or thinking about buying one, the city of Montgomery does offer a firearms safety course free of charge. You can call the police academy at (334) 240-4812 to sign up.

http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3852587&nav=0RdDeY02

 

[RKBABob]

And an official pro-gun statement by a sitting governor (circa 2002)

Louisiana Governor Advises Women Scared of Serial Killer to Get a Gun

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Gov. Mike Foster reminded women Thursday that they can pack a gun to protect themselves from a serial killer who has slain three women in the capital in the past 10 months.

"You have the right to get a gun permit," Foster said. "Learn to use it."

Foster said during his weekly radio show that he has asked state police to ensure they are helping with the investigation to find the man who slashed Pam Kinamore's throat, strangled Gina Green and stabbed Charlotte Pace.

Kinamore's mother, Lynne Marino, called the "Live Mike" radio show to ask the governor to intervene.

"I'm asking you to call in all the agencies throughout the state to assist us in this search for evidence and for the serial killer," she said. "Not many towns know how to deal with a serial killer."

The families of the victims have refused to rely solely on the police, sharing information among themselves to see if there's some small connection between the victims.

Foster touted self-protection until the killer was found.

"Most people don't ever want to use a gun to protect themselves -- that's the last thing they want to do -- but if you know how and you have a situation with some fruitcake running around, like they've got right now, it sure can save you a lot of grief," he said.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,59374,00.html