It is notable that Ashcroft publicly declared that the Second Amendment protects the fundamental right of individuals to own guns. He would not have allowed the NRA to put his picture on their magazine cover if he did not intend to pursue a pro-freedom agenda! http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,30390,00.html

Working law enforcement officers -- the street cops -- are reluctant to involve themselves in politics and wary of the promises of politicians. They respond to actions, not words, and are very much aware of what is right and what is wrong.

With that in mind, it is clear that there is a new Sheriff in town, and The Constitution will take precedence over weekly polls. Ashcroft's actions provide clear direction for every law enforcement officer in this great nation.

After Ashcroft declared in a May 17 letter to the NRA that he believes the Constitution "unequivocally" protects the rights of individuals--not merely militias--to keep and bear arms, he served notice that he was seeking public comment on a new policy involving firearm background checks.

When was the last time anyone on The Hill gave you the impression that they really gave a hoot what you thought?

It was not long before Attorney General Ashcroft's proposed regulations reducing the retention period for approved National Instant Check firearms purchases to 24 hours. It was clear the man understood the meaning of "shall not be infringed!"

Seemingly unusual for a politician, he is willing to admit to government's past mistakes and has initiated remedies:

Administration Calls Halt to Gun Buybacks
Program Touted by Clinton White House Called Not Part of HUD's 'Core Mission' http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A50620-2001Jul25.html

"FBI auditors charged with verifying that Point of Contact States like Pennsylvania are properly conducting Federal Brady Act background checks, have found that the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) is violating both Federal and Pennsylvania laws."

And after all the hullabaloo over the UN disarmament conference, the US opposed the recent UN Gun Ban. See a good synopsis at: http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3b658d632557.htm

There is a clear message here: the current administration recognizes the right of honest citizens to keep and bear arms. And after years of ACLU dominance in defining the legal interpretation of The Second Amendment, scores of legal scholars have lined up behind the pro-freedom definition. John Lott, a respected scholar/researcher is presenting factual information regarding the value of firearms in the hands of citizens. Facts are what law enforcement officers understand and respect.

Actions speak louder than words, and these are actions that deserve the respect of law enforcement.

And the true test can be found in this headline:

FOP softens concealed-gun stance
http://enquirer.com/editions/2001/07/23/loc_fop_softens.html

The communication provided by the Internet has not been lost on American Law Enforcement. How many cops would you think read about their brothers in other countries who have succeeded in passing draconian gun laws? Like this one from Canada:

"NO one would ever have believed that one day Ross Webley would be a criminal in need of a pseudonym. In fact, he has been a well-respected constable with the Calgary police since 1980. But on Canada Day, the avid gun collector and sports shooter, who owns a number of 12-gauge shotguns and a few old German Luger handguns his father brought back from the Second World War, became one of thousands of Canadians in violation of gun control laws. He has never applied for a firearm licence under the Liberals' Bill C-68. If charged, he could face up to 10 years in prison--the penalty for unauthorized possession of a firearm--and lose his career." http://207.216.246.197/magazine/p24i010730f.html

Or, from Australia:

"For all my mates in the US, think yourselves lucky that you CAN carry off-duty, that you CAN carry spare ammo, that you CAN have a shotgun in in the car, that you HAVE decent training and supervisors who know what they're on about. I was impressed with the professionalism and level of expertise shown by all the police departments when I traveled throughout the US last year." http://www.2ampd.net/Articles/Pyle/ATTN_American_Law_Enforcement.htm

It is the perfect time for American Law Enforcement to join their new "Sheriff" in support of the right of honest citizens to exercise their Constitutional right to keep and bear firearms and publicly support a bill such as HR 382.

This bill was most recently introduced in the 107th Congress by Representative Cliff Stearns (R-FL) and is intended to

"amend title 18, United States Code, to provide a national standard in accordance with which nonresidents of a State may carry certain concealed firearms in the State, and to exempt qualified current and former law enforcement officers from State laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed handguns."

This is clearly intended to clarify the status of citizens in the many states that have recognized the right of their citizens to carry a firearm for protection, and will go a long way toward assuring the safety of both police and citizens as they go about their daily business.

"The days of Police Union leaders and Chiefs pandering without challenge or question to politicians, their anti-freedom statements and misrepresentation of American Rank and File Law Enforcement's positive position on CCW and the armed citizen are long past," said retired L.A. Sheriff's Deputy Joe Horn, "and it is time that we demonstrate to the public that their safety is a primary concern over the whims of politics. No one knows better than a street cop what can and does happen to disarmed citizens at the hands of violent criminals. If cops are represented at all in Federal CCW legislation, it will be devoid of elitism and in strong support of all law abiding citizens having the same rights as citizen cops, including the right to carry when traveling and the right of armed defense. A citizen without the right to armed self defense has no rights at all."

The Second Amendment Police Department joins Attorney General Ashcroft in his vigorous support of individual rights. We intend to demonstrate that line officers support the rights of all citizens by supporting H.R. 382. http://www.theorator.com/bills107/hr382.html

The myriad of confusing and conflicting firearms laws passed during these past few years creates a dangerous situation for citizens and police alike. Forty+ states have approved concealed carry for its citizens who meet written and practical standards. There is no logical reason, in this day and age of easy transportation, that state lines should act as a disqualifier. This act will apply to sworn officers, reserve officers, and citizens alike.

2AMPD has contacted the office of Representative Cliff Stearns (R - FL) to offer our support.

We need your input:

1)  Please review this bill at
http://www.theorator.com/bills107/hr382.html

2)  If you are an LEO, send us your comments and indicate your support.

3)  If you know an LEO who supports the 2AM and can help, point him or her our way.

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CONTACT:
Leroy Pyle, SJPD (Ret)
lpyle@2ampd.net
Chicago, IL 60610
Phone: 312-482-9910
http://www.2AMPD.net
Available daily for radio, television and print interviews.