As conservatives continue to battle liberals and leftists to assure that our Second Amendment rights remain intact, it’s reassuring to hear that our sheriff stands with us.

The Gazette is pleased to have received a short letter from Ventura County Sheriff Geoff Dean which restates his sworn commitment to upholding our Constitution with its Second Amendment.

Our Constitution is under attack by liberal-radical revisionists who view that document as something soft and flexible rather than a thing chiseled in granite.

As the Founders continually emphasized, we receive our rights from God, not the government.

The Obama administration seeks to “infringe” on our Second Amendment rights as never before in American history. American citizens should defend against this force as never before.

One of the best summaries I’ve seen concerning the issue of gun violence and our Second Amendment has been set out in a video to be found on front page at www.fillmoregazette.com. The information is absolutely true and heavily documented. It clearly sets out the facts, which demonstrates that the rationale behind all of the so-called “reasonable” gun control bills being foisted on America is pure rubbish. As all credible studies and recent experience shows, gun control laws do absolutely nothing to diminish criminal conduct of any kind. To the contrary, the largest and most respected studies clearly show that more guns mean less crime. Removing guns from the law-abiding populace simply facilitates violent criminal activity. Criminals will always have guns and good citizens will always need an equal method of defending against criminal activity.

The most respected studies by the world’s most eminent scholars show, indisputably, the meaning of “More Guns Less Crime” (John R. Lott Jr., PhD).

The whole problem of violent criminal activity relates directly to criminals themselves and to criminal insanity. And, these two social problems continue to grow, fast. Here are some statistics from two years ago. “According to the Justice Department’s National Youth Gang Center, since 1980 the growth of gangs in the United States has been incredibly rapid, from an estimated 286 jurisdictions, which reported the presence of
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Approximately 2,000 gangs made up of nearly 100,000 members in 1980 to over 30,000 gangs with more than 1 million members in 2011.” And, they all have guns, not purchased through legal transactions.

Does any sane person believe “gun control” will lessen this threat? Gun control makes criminal activity easier.

Sheriff Geoff Dean's Comments on Gun Control:
In recent months, there has been a great deal of discussion and debate about gun control, which was brought into sharp focus by the tragic shooting of elementary school children in Connecticut. As the nationwide debate continues, I have received many phone calls and e-mails asking about my position on the Second Amendment.

As a peace officer, I have ...sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States and of the State of California. I believe in and support all aspects of our Constitution, including the Second Amendment. California already has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country.

There are several new gun control measures being discussed at both the state and federal level. It is a complex issue, and I have been involved in discussions with various elected officials on some of the proposals. I will continue to be involved in the discussion and evaluate each proposal on its merits.
-Geoff