The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Obama:

We, the elected sheriffs of Utah, like so many of our fellow Americans, are literally heartbroken for the loved ones of the murdered victims in Connecticut. As Utahans, we are not strangers to this kind of carnage—one of the latest being the 2007 Trolley Square murders wherein nine innocents were gunned down—five losing their lives . . .


We also recognize the scores of other recent domestic massacres, which have decimated countless honorable lives. As Americans, we value the sanctity of life. Furthermore, similar to our inspired Founders, we acknowledge our subservience to a higher power.

With the number of mass shootings America has endured, it is easy to demonize firearms; it is also foolish and prejudiced. Firearms are nothing more than instruments, valuable and potentially dangerous, but instruments nonetheless. Malevolent souls, like the criminals who commit mass murders, will always exploit valuable instruments in the pursuit of evil. As professional peace officers, if we understand nothing else, we understand this: lawful violence must sometimes be employed to deter and stop criminal violence. Consequently, the citizenry must continue its ability to keep and bear arms, including arms that adequately protect them from all types of illegality.

As your administration and Congress continue to grapple with the complex issue of firearm regulations, we pray that the Almighty will guide the People’s Representatives collectively. For that reason, it is imperative this discussion be had in Congress, not silenced unilaterally by executive orders. As you deliberate, please remember the Founders of this great nation created the Constitution, and its accompanying Bill of Rights, in an effort to protect citizens from all forms of tyrannical subjugation.

We respect the Office of the President of the United States of America. But, make no mistake, as the duly-elected sheriffs of our respective counties, we will enforce the rights guaranteed to our citizens by the Constitution. No federal official will be permitted to descend upon our constituents and take from them what the Bill of Rights—in particular Amendment II—has given them. We, like you, swore a solemn oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and we are prepared to trade our lives for the preservation of its traditional interpretation.

The Utah Sheriffs’ Association

(signed by 29 members)

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79 COMMENTS

    • Unbelievable! If only the sheriff’s of Virginia had that level of integrity. Or of any other state, for that matter.

    • I think Obama must feel like a overconfident bear who just beat another bear (political party) in a fight for some salmon (the election). Now he thinks he can steal some honey in that other bear’s territory, but instead only stirred up the bees (us common folk.)

      Hopefully he’s got his thinking cap on.

  2. Nice! If they didnt have such crazy/strict drinking laws in Utah i would consider moving there! Awesome state and awesome skiing!

  4. Thank god for these patriots. We need more of them everywhere. I’m proud to be from NH. Our police chiefs are holding that gun auction and continued in their course of action despite heavy criticism.

  5. “… and we are prepared to trade our lives for the preservation of its traditional interpretation.”

    I doubt it will come to that but for sworn law officers and their elected Sheriffs to say such a thing in a letter to the POTUS, I would proudly fight beside them.

    • For those older than me, has something like this happened before? Or are we moving closer to the end of our republic?

      • As an amateur historian, the closest I can think of is some of the early Democratic-Republican (original party version) and Federalist maneuvering at the beginning of the nation. The whole “democracy” thing was an uncertain idea and some attempted to make it in-name-only and institute some sort of regency without the pomp. (Or with the pomp as the case may be.)

        I wouldn’t say we’re “moving closer to the end of our republic”, as in an inevitable movement of gravity. But it’s under threat and honestly spookier than I’ve ever seen or read of it.

      • I’m twenty, but the closet I could imagine is people in the south saying they wouldn’t desegregate in the 60s

  6. I’m overjoyed to see LEOs issuing statements like this. I’d give anything to have individuals like them serving Rhode Island.

  7. Nice, intelligent, well written letter. Let’s see if the response is as well written, or if there is a response at all.

  8. My family is seriously considering moving to Colorado. Now I will have to seriously consider Utah instead. Not only are Utah’s Sheriffs willing to honor the United States Constitution, their concealed carry laws honor citizens with absolutely no pistol free zones. I don’t know of any other shall issue state in the country with absolutely no pistol free zones.

    • New Mexico – despite being slightly blue (the north’s blue, south red), and tons of Democrats, still has echoes of the Old West. VERY gun-friendly on the whole, though you might avoid Albuquerque, as well as Santa Fe and Bernalillo counties. Too urbanized anyway, but which I mean urban VALUES. And your eyes will drool every day at the stunning scenery and unbelievable quality of the light in the high country. Never seen light like that ANYWHERE else.

      • I’d disagree about the people in the Albuquerque metro area being unfriendly towards guns; I’ve OC’d for three years in down town Albq. and have nothing but positive experiences with the citizens and the local police.

        • A lot of it is how you present yourself.

          I present myself in public dressed up, and get asked to ride the doctor’s elevators (I’m not a doctor), get better seating, get better service, get chatted up by 20 year old babes, get asked by police officers to help (once, was kinda interesting, I think he thought I was possibly a cop, who knows), and get my way constantly, without having to be overly assertive.

          And it ends up being cheaper, if you’re a smart shopper. I got a $1800 Italian seersucker blazer last summer for $19 on eBay from some dead rich guy’s estate in Florida. The hotter the babe, the more they let me know they noticed.

          Get your gear squared away:

          How To Dress Like a Man by Jeffrey A. Tucker
          http://www.lewrockwell.com/tucker/tucker38.html

    • When I was younger I hated living in New Mexico. Now that I am older I am glad I never moved away to some big city. As William said, we tend to lean more to the left but our dems are no where near as bad as NY or Chicago. They actually support the 2A. I heard one of them on a radio show the other day talking about guns. He said he would not vote for any type of ban and we need to enforce the laws we currently have. New Mexico has some of the most liberal laws when it comes to guns, right behind Utah and Wyoming. Along with open carry I can also have a loaded gun in my car at all times. Your car is an extension of your home here.

      If you love the outdoors it’s hard to find a better place. I live in Albuquerque and I am a 2-hour drive away from Camping, skiing/snowboarding, some of the best hunting in the country, river rafting, fishing etc.., just about any outdoor activity there is we have it. As a bonus our winters are mild.

      If you like the big city then it may not be for you. Albuquerque is our biggest city and it’s not very big at all. We don’t have any professional sports teams, no NASCAR or any of big events like that, so it can be a boring place especially for the younger crowd.

  9. Utah has a history of such defiance. In 1857 the Mormon Navoo Legion kept the U.S. Army from invading Utah by stampeding the invaders’ horses, burning their supplies and blocking roads. Even though the territory was sparsely populated, that fracas took many years before the leaders were forced to conclude a negotiated settlement with the U.S. Gov’t. This time, the Utah folks will find that they have many more friends, no doubt including many members of the U.S. military and other LEOs.

    • Yeah, and the Mormons also murdered 120 unarmed men, women and children on Sept. 11, 1857. Google Mountain Meadow massacre. I guess that is part of their history of defiance too, huh?

      • This post smacks of the very same, loathsome, guilt by association, dishonest, and cowardly tactics used by tyrants and bigots. I’d much prefer you just say that you hate Mormons.

        • Oh I see, one can only say what great, noble people they are or else I am accused of hate speech. Typical. Why don’t you defend Mountain Meadows instead of calling me names, huh? If someone is going to talk about the great things the Mormons did in 1857 and not mention Mountain Meadows, well then I am going to. Of course you would rather not talk about that. That’s hate speech, right? Let’s forget it.

          Mormons are not flawless.

          • No one is flawless but for someone to mention the Mormons defying the US government in the Utah War of 1857 as a good thing and not mention Mountain Meadows speaks of ignorance or purposely covering up facts. Do you have some problem with facts? Is Mountain Meadows not to be mentioned as far as you’re concerned? Did it happen or not? If it did, you consider it hate speech to talk about it? That is what you are saying.

            Look jwm, someone mentioned 1857 as an example of Mormon defiance of the US government as an example to us all and I mention that in 1857 Mormons also killed 120 unarmed people, men, women and children. I see nothing hateful about mentioning that. Of course in the new PC environment anything that is negative about any group is hate speech. I guess you’re one of those.

        • Not a bit of it Jim B. I have no problem with talking facts. Here’s a fact for you. I’ve been speaking against gun control since 68 and I’ve never seen things like its been since Sandy Hook. If you and I are to keep our rights we need to set aside these divisions such as race, religion and gender or we are all going to lose. I welcome Utah and it’s predominately Mormon population to our side and am willing to set aside an evwent from 165 years ago if it cements our unity.

          • Listen jwm, I am certain I am at least as open to other religions, race, etc., at you are. I mentioned Mountain Meadows as a cautionary tale. Some used the Utah War as an example of Mormons defying the US government. Well maybe they were right, in doing so, maybe not. However, when someone used the events in Utah as an example to gun owners I get worried.

            It is fine to talk about resistance such as refusal to register or turn in weapons. When you talk about violent resistance which a lot of people in the gun world having been talking about even on here, that is a whole other animal. It can lead to very ugly unintended consequences. I am certain that the people that participated in the Mountain Meadows massacre thought themselves as good people and never dreamed a few years before the massacre that they would be cutting children’s throats or clubbing women to death.

            Tell me jwm, have you seen many people violently killed? Do you really think that is an example to be followed? Well if you do, yeah go ahead and use the Utah War as an example of how to resist the US government. I certainly won’t follow.

        • Agincourt, I have seen violent death. I am not hoping for a civil war. I very much hope for a peaceful solution to our countries problems.

          Ballot box, jury box, soap box and as a last extreme, cartridge box. But we gun owners are not the ones pushing for a solution that may include violence. All the other side has to do is leave our civil rights alone and relative peace will be the order of the day.

          In pursuit of our civil rights I say we need unity amongst gun owners and not division. I welcome all people of good will and honor to our cause.

          A lifetime ago I saw violent death. And I hope I never see it again. But I will not allow my grandkids to be subjects instead of citizens.

          This can all be stopped simply and quickly. Those other people renounce dismantling the constitution and we’ll get along great.

  10. Excellent! I wish California had the intelligence to write such a letter.

    The lack of wisdom by our leaders and POTUS on this issue needs to be addressed, and this was an excellent way to do it.

    • Sorry to disagree, but it has very little to do with intelligence OR wisdom; gun control in America is AGENDA-driven, and they must disarm us to enslave, re-educate, and even KILL us.

      • You’re right. I was literally thinking of the spy mechanisms and electronic monitoring equipment when I wrote that comment.

  11. Powerful words from true Americans who love the Republic and stand in support of The Constitution!
    FOX News (whom I acknowledge is as biased to Conservatism as the others are to Progressivism) is reporting that a new poll they took showed 78% of Americans support 2A and oppose a new AWB while only 22% support a new AWB. Given even a generous Margin of Error that’s an overwhelming number. Also, The NRA is currently more popular than either the Democrats or Republicans and has gained 250,000(!) New Members!
    AND, Bill Clinton has warned the Democrats to be “very careful” about gun prohibition legislation.

    Just keep those phone calls, letters and e-mails flowing to your elected officials at all levels and we might yet get through this gun prohibition mania without further infringements on our 2 A Rights.

    • The fact that we have to fight just to protect the remaining second amendment rights we have pisses me off to no extent. By all means this shouldn’t be happening. WE should be demanding change in laws and presenting new bills. Where is the movement to de-NFA the suppressors? Ban all gun free zones? Make it easier to obtain CCW licenses in places like NYC or Chicago? But no, enough is never enough for the antis and we have to struggle just to cling to the few remaining rights…

  13. If you’re keeping score, the signatories to this letter to the President represent ALL of Utah’s 29 counties. Good on them.

  14. I can attest to deep love of firearms and freedom here in Utah. We Mormons have already had an extermination order out on us once. We know what hate and persecution look like. We believe the constitution is a divine document. We will stand up with everyone who loves this country.

    • I’ve been reading this site for more than a year and had no idea there were so many other Utahans on here. Great! Y’all are welcome to come on over, we’ve got 4 beautiful seasons, hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping. Zion’s, Bryce, Grand Canyon, etc. Utah’s a great place to live if you can stay away from Utah Valley (they drive crazy there). Even in Salt Lake where they sort of have a wanna-be Seattle culture thing going, they’re pretty friendly to guns.

  15. Great!

    Now if he could get one small, but critical fact straight…The Constitution and the Bill of Rights do NOT “give” the citizens rights, but merely acknowledges the rights given to us by The Creator, and instructs the federal government to butt out.

    Seems like I’m picking nits, but anything given by the government can be taken away. Something given by The Creator can never be taken away. It can be suppressed by tyrants, however.

    • NOT nitpicking: the BOR REAFFIRMS rights; it bestows not one single right, because said rights already existed when the Constitution is written.

    • Excellent point. The general population has been fed the idea that rights are granted by the government, rather than rights being “natural” or granted by “The Creator.”

      It’s a very important philosophical distinction.

        • What part of “natural” OR “granted by the Creator” is controversial?

          I think it is rather obvious I covered both. Equally obvious, you’re just another knee-jerk reactionary who pitches a fit when someone dares bring up “The Creator.”

        • I think the issue is that the words “The Creator” may be dismissed by people that are irreligious but may still be supporters of Amendment II amd the redt o the Constitution. They may feel unwilling to join us in our fight if they percieve that one also has to a believer to fight with us and that is not the case. One must just want to defend liberty for ALL and defend subversion of our Constitution. Frankly, we need anyone we can get!

    • I believe that your exactly right. I have posted similar comments previously, but apparently the Feds don’t read TTAG. The constitution is more like a referee before a fight instructing the combatants as to the ruls of the contest. In our case the rules of life. Nature dictates that a species has 2 choices. 1 SURVIVE! or 2 DIE. Nothing can survive without a form of self defense that is superior to that which threatens it’s existence.

      • I don’t think so, and as soon as he gets back from telling the crowd outside how he Smot Osama Bin Laden with a bolt of lighting….I’m gonna go ask him!

  17. Great letter but I wish people would remember the Constitution does not “give” us rights. The rights are ours from birth, the Consitiution PROTECTS those rights.

  18. The thing about Utah (and Mormons) is that to a degree, the evil government conspiracies and persecutions that modern pundits love to chalk up to paranoid delusions of the tin-foil-hat crowd really did happen to ’em. To the point of having an “extermination order” from the governor of Missouri against them (which wasn’t repealed until the 1970s). The Mormons were an industrious group that was religiously… peculiar, politically active, and believed to be abolitionists (the horror!). Not a great combination, particularly when they took ‘unusable’ swampland and turned it into a thriving city, and their numbers threatened to exceed that of the non-Mormons when it came to voting season.

    So while it doesn’t hold a candle to the Native Americans or African Americans, the Mormons still probably have one of the stronger traditional reason to be distrustful of the U.S. governments gaining too much power over their citizens.

  19. when it comes down to it….the local level of enforcement are the supreme upholders of the law…constitutional law…NOT unconstitutional law

  24. At the California gun appreciation day at the state Capitol the El Dorado county Sheriff promised to uphold the constitution. I am so grateful for these patriotic law enforcement officers. I hope more of them support our constitution as strongly.

  25. This goes even beyond the public servant job description, what is it? oh yeah, Patriot, Randy

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