DUUGLAS CCIUNTT DFFICE
Justice Building - Flesebtth, Oregon Eli's'iil - i541] arcades

JOHN HAMLIN
SHERIFF

 

 

January 15,2013

Vice President Joe Biden
lbil? Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20501

Dear Mr. Vice President,

I am Sheriff John Hanlin, ?tc Sheriff of Douglas County, Oregon. I have served in the Douglas County
Sherist Office for 24 years. I am currently in my second term as Sheri?. As Sheriff, 1 am entrusted with
the responsibility of providing for the peace and safety of my county's citizcns. I recognize the badge of my
office as a symbol of public fai?r.. .t'aith that I will uphold my oath of office and maintain a strong
understanding of my fundamental duty to serve mankind; safeguard lives and property; and to preserve, preteut
and defend the Constitution of The United States and the rights of the people in this county. These are duties
that I and the men and women of my Df?ce take great pride and honor in being responsible for.

This letter serves two purposes- First, to make a formal request that you NOT tamper with or attempt to
amend the 2? Amendment. Gun control is NUT the answer to preventing heinous crimes lilce school
shootings. Any actions against, or in disregard for our U.S. Constitution and Amendment rights by the
current administration would he irresponsible and an indisputable insult tn the American people.

I fully agree with the statement made by Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller in a recent letter he sent you. He
stated, ?In the wake of recent criminal events, politicians are attempting to exploit the deaths of innocent
victims by advocating for laws that would prevent honest, law abiding Americans from possessing certain
?rearms and ammunition magazines. We are Americans. 'We must not allow, nor shall we tolerate, the
actions of criminals, no matter how heinous the crimes, to prompt politicians to enact lav-rs that will infringe
upon the liberties of responsible citizens who have broken no laws."

The United States Supreme Court has ruled that when a Sheriff chooses to enforce an unconstitutional directive,
he is violating his Constitutional Bath. 1 will NCIT violate my Constitutional Clath. Therefore, the second
purpose of ?dris letter is to make noti?cation that any federal regulation enacted by Congress or by executive
order of the Prosident offending tlte Constitutional rights of my citizens shall not be enforced by me or by my
deputies, nor will I permit the enforcement of any unconstitutional regulations or orders by federal o?cers
wi?iin the borders of Douglas County Dregon.

In conclusion, it is my position as Sheriff of Douglas County, Oregon that i will refuse to participate in, nor
tolerate enforcement actions against citizens that are deemed unconstitutional.

Respectfully,

agglebn Hanlin

Douglas County Oregon