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Montana Shooting Sports Association
2010 Sheriff Candidate Questionnaire
1. Sheriff top law enforcement in county.
We believe that the elected county sheriff is the top law enforcement
official in the county, including that the sheriff has more authority
than state and federal law enforcement officials. Do you agree
with this or disagree?
( ) Agree
( ) Disagree
2. Suit in federal courts.
A Wyoming sheriff and the Wyoming Sheriffs Association recently
prevailed in a lawsuit in federal court asserting that federal law
enforcement officials could not act in, or even enter, the county
without the permission of the county sheriff. The federal court
ruled in agreement with that assertion. Would you support a
lawsuit in Montana asserting the same point?
( ) Support
( ) Neutral
( ) Oppose
3. Law Enforcement Cooperation.
Many Montanans, both citizens and people in public office, are
concerned about the lack of accountability of federal officers
conducting law enforcement operations in Montana. In Montana, we
know the county sheriff and he is elected and accountable
locally. We believe the sheriff is the chief law enforcement
officer in the county, and ought to have the tools to implement that
status. MSSA will offer a bill to required federal officers to
obtain the written permission of the local sheriff before conducting an
arrest, search, or seizure in the sheriff’s county. There are
exceptions for federal reservations, Border Patrol, Immigration and
Naturalization Service, close pursuit, when a federal officer witnesses
a crime that requires an immediate response, if the sheriff or his
personnel are under investigation, and other necessary
exceptions. This bill was passed by the Legislature in 1995, but
was vetoed by the Governor.
I would:
( ) Come to Helena to testify in support
( ) Support with letter or phone call
( ) Be neutral
( ) Oppose with letter or phone call
( ) Come to Helena to testify in opposition
4. Firearms. Some
law enforcement professionals believe that guns outside the hands of
law enforcement personnel constitute a hazard for law enforcement
officers. Others believe that the more citizens who are prepared
to provide for their own personal protection the safer everyone is,
including law enforcement personnel. Do you agree with the first
attitude or the second?
( ) Guns are a law enforcement hazard
( ) Guns in citizens' hands enhance safety for all
5. Shooting Ranges.
Some people claim that established shooting ranges provide citizens
with safe and suitable places to shoot, and thereby decrease incidents
of questionable or irresponsible shooting. Do you agree, and will
you actively support retention and development of shooting ranges?
( ) Support shooting ranges
( ) Neutral about shooting ranges
( ) Can't support shooting ranges
( ) Oppose shooting ranges
6. Law Enforcement Training.
Law enforcement training sometimes instructs officers to treat every
armed person as a felony suspect for officer safety. Other
training acknowledges that many law abiding citizens possess and carry
firearms, and that these citizens are not likely to be a threat to law
enforcement officers. Do you lean towards the former standard, or
the latter?
( ) Any armed person requires a felony stop approach
( ) Armed citizens are unlikely to be a threat
7. Concealed weapon permit holders exempt from prohibited places.
There will be a bill before the next session of the Legislature to
exempt people who have applied for and obtained concealed weapon
permits (sheriff-certified good guys and gals) from the prohibition on
exercising their permits in the "prohibited places" currently in
Montana law, bars, banks and public building.
I would:
( ) Come to Helena to testify in support
( ) Support with letter or phone call
( ) Be neutral
( ) Oppose with letter or phone call
( ) Come to Helena to testify in opposition
8. Harmonizing concealed weapon permit (CWP) requirements.
Since 1991, a CWP has not been required for a law abiding person to
carry a concealed weapon in 99.4% of Montana - outside the limits of
cities or towns. With over a decade of experience that not
requiring CWPs for nearly all of Montana has not created any problems,
we propose legislation to harmonize the law so a permit will no longer
be required for a law abiding person to carry a concealed weapon in the
remaining small part of Montana, inside cities and towns. We
intend to leave the permitting process in place, so citizens who desire
them may still obtain CWPs for travel to other states that recognize
Montana CWPs, and for firearm purchases at gun stores under the federal
Brady Law.
I would:
( ) Come to Helena to testify in support
( ) Support with letter or phone call
( ) Be neutral
( ) Oppose with letter or phone call
( ) Come to Helena to testify in opposition
9. Sheriff Richard Mack; "constitutional sheriff".
There has been a lot of publicity about former Sheriff Richard Mack of
Arizona. Mack is an outspoken advocate that a sheriff takes an
oath to uphold the state and federal constitutions, and is obliged to
protect the people of the county from those who would infringe on the
rights the people have reserved for themselves from governmental
intrusion in those constitutions. I:
( ) Have never heard of Sheriff Mack
( ) Have never heard of Sheriff Mack, but I like the idea
( ) Have never heard of Sheriff Mack, but I don't like the idea
( ) Have heard of Sheriff Mack and I like the ideas he expresses
( ) Have heard of Sheriff Mack and I disagree with the ideas he expresses
10. Oathkeepers. A
national organization called Oathkeepers is intended primarily for law
enforcement and military personnel, but includes anyone who has taken
an oath to uphold, defend and protect the Constitution.
Oathkeepers has a Website at oathkeepers.org, on which is a list of "Orders We Will Not Obey." Do you agree with this list of "Orders We Will Not Obey?"
( ) Agree
( ) Uncertain
( ) Disagree
The foregoing responses are actually my positions on these issues, to the best of my knowledge and at this time.
Date:
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Thank you for being willing to serve your community in public office,
and thank you very much for helping to provide us information about
your views on issues of interest to us.
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