Email response Sac County Sheriff

I recently sent an email to the two leading candidates for Sacramento County Sheriff.  The same letter (see other post for a copy) was sent to Scott Jones and to Jim Cooper.  Within 24 hours I had received a response back from Scott Jones that, if not personally written, was a direct response to my questions.  As of today I have not received any response at all from Jim Cooper.

 

Here is a copy/paste of the response sent by Scott Jones (italics added).

 

dennis,

 

i have always been a big believer in the second amendment/right to carry.  i do believe that 'personal safety' is a sufficient justification for issuance of a CCW, absent any compelling reasons to the contrary.  Such reasons would have to be compelling, but would include a history of violence, or a history of alcohol or drug abuse (for which they may not otherwise be legally prohibited from a CCW).

 

As Sheriff McGinness' chief of staff, i have overseen the CCW committee carry out the will of this sheriff's criteria, so i can say with certainty that i will increase the percentage of permits that will be issued.

 

I hope this satisfies your concerns.  Thank you for your interest in this race.

 

Scott Jones

I don't know if the response from one candidate and the apparent lack of response from the other is meaningful in the long run.  However, since I do not know either one personally, and can only glean information from whatever sources I can find it does make me wonder.  The very idea of a Sheriff should be response to the public.

It also makes me wonder if perhaps the answers to my questions may not have been to my liking, and therefore better not answered?  Unfortunately I won't know Mr. Cooper's belief in the right to self protection until/if he gets elected.  At this point I am not willing to take that chance and will be voting for Mr. Jones.

questions to Candidates for Sac County Sheriff

Dear Mr. Jones;

As a citizen living in Sacramento County the choice for Sacramento County Sheriff is very important to me and my family.  Having spent over 10 years working
in an Emergency Department as a Registered Nurse I have seen the effects violence has on a community. 

Since it is a fact that the Sheriff's Deputies cannot truly protect us (that is not meant as a reflection on the Officers, but simple reality in our world at this time) the
overriding concern I have is how I can keep my family and myself, safe.  Certainly it is obvious that my main question has to do with the 2nd Amendment, and
more specifically how it is interpreted by our Sheriff.  That being said what is your feelings on law abiding citizens being allowed to carry a concealed weapon?

Since Florida first opened the floodgates on concealed carry the anti-gun folks have not seen any of their dire predicitions come to pass.  There is a large and
growing pile of statistics and evidence that not only does concealed carry not increase crime but does just the opposite.  While the number of Deputies and
services are hamstrung by the economy we are each charged with our own self protection and protection of our families.

This brings me to the questions I hope you will answer.

1.  What are your feelings on citizens right to carry?

2.  Will you make Sacramento County a "shall issue" county, as several surrounding counties already are?

Thank you for your responses. 

Dennis Peek RN