| Wowsers. “Get on the news, and you’ll find there’s always been a threat to take Second Amendment rights away,” Raines said. “There’s always been a threat out there.” He wasn’t specific, but said he’s heard about legislation that would take away Second Amendment rights.
Of course he wasn't specific. He wasn't specific because that legislation doesn't exist. Read the entire thing. Someone's on a wee power trip. There's also this. A few years ago, Raines formed a citizens group, called the Guardians of the Constitution, made up mostly of citizens who hold licenses to carry concealed pistols. Raines called the group, which he said now has about 275 members, a “self-sustaining, non-law-enforcement, citizens group.”
...snip... The group’s proposed mission statement, which is posted on the website for the sheriff’s office, says, in part: “We believe Sheriff Raines is an innovative and progressive sheriff with a heart for people and for the Constitution. ... A free society shall not be shackled by the bonds of tyranny, and shall have the right to keep and bear arms.”
So, he goes out and forms this neo-vigilante band of armed nuts intended to promote "freedom" but who have no authority to enforce laws I guess until they're needed, and then posts their mission statement -- self-serving to him because it promises fealty from the members -- to a government agency website. Keep in mind that this is all in support of a paranoia-driven conflict about government overreach. |
