This Jan. 16 file photo shows John Jackson, co-owner of Capitol City Arms Supply, with an AR-15 rifle for sale at his business in Springfield, Ill. From Oregon to Mississippi, President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
Sheriffs, state lawmakers push back on gun control
This Jan. 16 file photo shows John Jackson, co-owner of Capitol City Arms Supply, with an AR-15 rifle for sale at his business in Springfield, Ill. From Oregon to Mississippi, President Barack Obama's proposed ban on new assault weapons and large-capacity magazines struck a nerve among rural lawmen and lawmakers, many of whom vowed to ignore any restrictions and even try to stop federal officials from enforcing gun policy in their jurisdictions. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman)
By JEFF BARNARD
Associated Press /
January 17, 2013
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In Minnesota, Pine County Sheriff Robin Cole sent an open letter to residents saying he did not believe the federal government had the right to tell the states how to regulate firearms. He said he would refuse to enforce any federal mandate he felt violated constitutional rights.
The Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association, based in Fredericksburg, Texas, encourages that point of view. Founder Richard Mack, a former sheriff of Apache County, Ariz., speaks regularly at gatherings of Tea Party groups and gun rights organizations.
‘‘I will tell Mr. Obama and everybody else who wants to impose gun control in America, that whether you like it or not, it is against the law,’’ said Mack. ‘‘Now we have good sheriffs who are standing up and defending the law against our own president.’’
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Associated Press writers contributing to this report: Nicholas Riccardi in Denver, Ben Neary in Cheyenne, Wyo., Erik Schelzig in Nashville, Tenn., John O'Connor in Springfield, Ill., Amy Forliti in Minneapolis and Emily Wagster Pettus in Jackson, Miss.
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