El Dorado County Sheriff John D'Agostini: I will not be pressured to enforce unconstitutional laws

El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini penned a letter to Vice President Biden expressing his concern over proposed new gun laws. Sheriff D’Agostini writes to the Vice President that banning guns would still leave guns in the hands of people “who have no respect for the rule of law.” He says California law enforcement continues to encounter people prohibited from owning guns that do have firearms. The Sheriff writes the problems with violent crime in the United States is not from firearms but “an issue of mental illness and antisocial behavior.”

He continues to write, “If as much effort were expended in keeping criminals out of our communities and identifying and treating our mentally ill as are expended in the folly of gun control, the Nation would experience and immensely measurable decrease in violent crime.”

Read the full letter here: http://www.edcgov.us/Sheriff/VP_Biden_Letter.aspx

January 17, 2013

Vice President Joe Biden
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20501

Dear Mr. Vice President,

I am elected Sheriff of El Dorado County, California and as such I am sworn to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the state of California against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  I was also elected by the people of El Dorado County to manage and direct the 358 employees of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office.  As a leader, I take my oath of office seriously and in doing so; set an example to those I lead.

My agency's Mission Statement reads as follows:

The mission of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office is to uphold the law through the investigation and enforcement of criminal and civil law, top provide leadership and law enforcement support to allied enforcement agencies, to deliver consistent and humane treatment to those placed in our care and custody and to perform these responsibilities in a manner that is responsive to the needs of our community and faithful to the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of California.

As you can see, the United States Constitution, the foundation of our liberties, that we are both sworn to support and defend, is the crux of our duty and honor we owe to all we serve and lead.

The purpose of this letter is to go on record of re-affirming my oath of office and making it clear that I and my staff will never violate that oath by being pressured into enforcing any unconstitutional provision, law, or executive order.

It is well known and proven with facts, not emotional interference, that gun control of any kind, has no effect on reduction of crime, anywhere.  If all manner of firearms were removed from within the borders of the United States those in society would who have no respect for the rule of law, would still find a way to obtain and use firearms.  This is an absolute fact given the current laws we have in this nation and in California that ban possession by felons and prohibited classes yet law enforcement continues to encounter the aforementioned individuals in possession of firearms.

Our Nation's problem with violent crime is not an issue of firearms; it is an issue of mental illness and antisocial behavior.  If as much efforts were expended in keeping criminals out of our communities and identifying and treating our mentally ill are are expended in the folly of gun control, this Nation would experience an immensely measurable decrease in violent crime.

My agency will continue to support and defend the Constitutional rights of all we serve, without any mental reservations or purposes of evasion.

Respectfully,
(SIGNED)
John D'Agostini
Sheriff-Coroner
Public Administrator