Libertarians concerned with America's growing police state should know there is a small but growing resistance within law enforcement itself.
Even after the Colorado State University Student Senate resoundingly endorsed their longstanding right of concealed carry the board of governors voted to ban all guns from the campus.
But Larimer County Sheriff Jim Alderden had already told students in an email that his office would "not hold or detain a valid permit holder who violates that policy, nor would his department have anything to do with enforcing that policy."
A legal battle over the anti self-defense decision is currently ongoing.
During a protest and counter protest between a Christian group and a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) group on the Kutztown University campus last summer campus police Corporal Steven Armbruster was ordered by his chief to "push" members of the Christian group off of the campus. When Armbruster refused the order on the grounds that it would violate their Constitutional rights he was immediately relieved of his duties and told to leave the scene.
"The president of the United States
cannot tell your sheriff what to do."
Sheriff Richard Mack talked about his
book, The County Sheriff: America's
Last Hope. (screenshot from YouTube
video)
Armbruster was suspended for five days, had a disciplinary letter placed in his personnel file, lost $600 in wages and claims in a lawsuit against the university that he has been passed over for "training and promotional opportunities."
The Christian-based Alliance Defense Fund is defending him in the ongoing suit while Oath Keepers named Armbruster their Oath Keeper of the year at their October conference.
Oath Keepers is a relatively new "non-partisan association of currently serving military, veterans, peace officers, and firefighters" who promise to disobey unconstitutional orders.
Preceding Oath Keepers into the anti Police State fray was Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP), founded in 2002 by members of law enforcement who oppose the Drug War and demand on their website, "Repeal Prohibition Now!"
Bill Masters, a speaker for LEAP, has served as sheriff of San Miguel County (Telluride), Colorado, since 1979, where he became the nation's first Libertarian sheriff. In his book, Drug War Addiction, he tells how he was so good at fighting the war on drugs he earned a DEA award until "He discovered the drug war is itself an addiction."
Sheriff Bill Masters of Telluride,
Colorado, was interviewed in
September about his 30 years of
service in the Sheriff's department.
(screenshot from YouTube video)
Since then he has advocated "personal responsibility, simple laws, and limited government."
In January Masters celebrated three decades with the Sheriff's department where, beginning as a 23-year-old deputy, he has won seven elections as Sheriff.
Now an Oath Keeper, Richard Mack, former sheriff of Graham County, Arizona, a "long-time crusader for freedom and individual rights" was launched into the national spotlight when the US Supreme Court upheld his 1994 lawsuit against the Brady bill on states rights grounds.
Sheriff Mack is still at it today with his No Sheriff Left Behind campaign to place a copy of his book, The County Sheriff: America's Last Hope in the hands of every county sheriff in the country. In the book, he contends "The sheriff absolutely has the power and responsiblity to defend his citizens against all enemies, including those from our own Federal Government."
Everyone can fight the Police State by refusing to obey unconstitutional orders whenever possible, like knowing your rights when police question you, or using your jury nullification knowledge as a juror in victimless crime cases.
Or otherwise refusing to support or condone any lawman who won't obey the Constitution.
(video from Flex Your Rights – use them or loose them)
Don't miss a NATIONAL LIBERTARIAN NEWS EXAMINER article: Click the Subscribe button at the top of the article and enter your email address or choose the RSS button. Either way you’ll be alerted to the latest piece when it's published. And don't forget to click Email to send this article to a friend.
Libertarian contributors wanted! Have article ideas? Photos? News tips? News releases?
Join the team here!
Comments
Any good news in this war is welcome. Thanks!
outstanding! being an oathkeeper myself we are here to reach, teach and inspire others to their rights, our oath is to the u.s. constitution, we need others to join us to spread the word to other law enforcement, fire fighters, military, reserves, coast guard, we need to stand by our oath to the u.s. constitution. sgt donald w. rutledge,jr. allen, texas
I hope the Oath Keepers will stop supporting our two unconstitutional wars in the Middle East forthwith and return home.
Thanks! Good article.
Great stuff, though I would warn about "Sheriff" Mack. He's likely more interested in SELLING a copy of his book to every LEO. Hopefully he's dropped his gubernatorial campaign in AZ now. He tried that in Utah, but wasn't interested in actually running for office, just using the campaign as a platform to sell Pre-Paid Legal. I left his campaign staff, along with several others, over that issue.
Thank you for your website, which I just discovered through Idaho C4L. What you report is indeed good news. Hopefully, more of the decent people in the police and the National Guard will refuse to carry out illegal, unconstitutional and irrational orders. Speaking of the police state, please visit www.safetychoice.org and learn how the government's cynical, hypocritical and inept interference in automotive design and highway safety is taking your money and endangering your life.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!