Kitsap’s interim sheriff didn’t sign letter supporting Second Amendment, but said he would have – Kitsap Sun

A letter released last week and signed by 37 of the states 39 sheriffs affirming their commitment to steadfastly protect'' the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, along with other individual rights,does not bear the signature of Kitsap County's interim sheriff.

However, John Gese, who is hoping for the appointment to fill out the remainder of former Sheriff Gary Simpson's term after Gese servedasundersheriff, said if he had permanent status he would have likely signed the letter from the Washington State Sheriffs' Association.

If appointed sheriff I would feel some motivation to go ahead and sign it, said Gese. He said he was committed to upholding all the amendments of the Constitution, but would have wanted to allay fears of gun owners who feel the right to keep and bear arms has been threatened.

I dont see the government coming around and taking guns, but that is a concern with our people out there, Gese said.

Since Simpson filed as a Democrat and left office early to retire at the end of last month, the county Democratic party will forward to county commissioners a list of three possible replacements. Commissioners will pick a candidate to serve until the end of 2022, the remainder of Simpsons term. Commissioners must interview and select a replacement sheriff 60 days from July 1, the day after Simpson's last day.

If Gese is ultimately selected, despite not yet standing for election, he would have the same status as though he were elected.

Though meaningful gun control measures have not fared well at the national level, voters in Washington state -- and in Kitsap County -- have supported strengthening restrictions on gun ownership.

In 2018 about 59 percent of voters statewide -- and about 57 percent of Kitsap County voters -- approved Initiative 1639. This measure added to state law multiple restrictions on buying and owning firearms. Among them are the addition of background checks, age limits, increased waiting periods and storage requirements.

After the success of the measure at the polls, some sheriffs and police chiefs voiced their opposition and announced they would not enforce the new law. This drewa rebuke from state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who noted that state laws are presumed constitutional until struck down in court, according to a Ballotpedia entry on the measure.

"If you personally disagree with Initiative 1639, seek to change it. Or file a lawsuit challenging it," Ferguson wrote in a statement."But do not substitute your personal views over that of the people. As public officers, our duty is to abide by the will of the people we serve, and implement and enforce the laws they adopt."

The statement includes the signature of Mason County Sheriff Casey Salisbury and Pierce County Sheriff Ed Troyer.

"We hereby recognize a significant principle underlying the Second Amendment: The right to keep and bear arms is indispensable to the existence of a free people," the letter says.

Beside Gese, the only other county sheriff missing from the list is King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht. Though Johanknecht is elected, King County wont have an elected sheriff for long. Last year voters there approved a measure to have the county council appoint and oversee the countys sheriff, much like city governments hire and oversee police chiefs.

Chelan County Sheriff Brian Burnett, who serves as vice-president of the Washington State Sheriffs' Association and drafted the letter, said he heard from constituents concerned about threats to gun rights. After seeing a similar letter signed by the sheriffs in the state of Utah he got the idea to replicate it in Washington state.

People want to know their concerns are being heard, Burnett said.

The statement contains religious overtones, stating that the Constitution is divinely inspired.

Further, the sheriffs wrote: We understand the destructive influences currently existing in our country will only relent when women and men everywhere genuinely care for each other. We must rely on Providence and care deeply about preserving the Constitution and its freedoms in order to be a strong and prosperous people.

Burnett said this statement was meant to oppose further gun control measures. He said the states sheriffs did not object to the religious language -- though he said others have attacked him over the language and accused of imposing his beliefs on others.

Burnett denied this, saying the assertions regarding God and the Constitution were supported by the writings and speeches of the framers of the Constitution and that, further, the First Amendment meant that all religious expression would be protected.

Sheriffs dont always agree on everything, Burnett said, but he said there was solidarity over the letter.

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Kitsap's interim sheriff didn't sign letter supporting Second Amendment, but said he would have - Kitsap Sun