Sheriffs Across Oklahoma Endorse John O'Connor For Attorney General
Tulsa, OK - Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor has always stood with law enforcement.
Today, sheriffs across the state have released a message for Oklahomans urging them to support John O'Connor on Tuesday, June 28.
CANADIAN COUNTY SHERIFF CHRIS WEST ENDORSES CAROL HEFNER FOR OKC MAYOR
Oklahoma City, OK-- Today, community leader and candidate for Mayor of Oklahoma City Carol Hefner announced she has been endorsed by Canadian County Sheriff Chris West. West is a fifth-generation Oklahoman and lifelong resident of Canadian County. He served in the United States Marine Corps and later served twenty-eight years with the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety.
See Sheriff West's full endorsement video here:
Honored to be endorsed by one of the most respected men in law enforcement, Sheriff Chris West.
Posted by Carol Hefner for Oklahoma City Mayor on Monday, January 3, 2022
Carol Hefner had this to say:
OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, Chair of the Oklahoma House States Rights Committee, has filed legislation for the upcoming session that would identify county sheriffs as the constitutionally-recognized chief law enforcement officer of their respective counties.
Currently, there is no statute in place that designates a chief law enforcement officer of a county, and Steagall says this legislation is important to make sure that lack of recognition does not cause issues in the future.
"The office of your county sheriff is charged with numerous duties including supporting the justice of the county, keeping the peace and protecting our lives and property," Steagall said. "However, there is no greater duty that a Sheriff has taken an oath to discharge than that of supporting and defending both our state and national constitutions. Sheriffs are responsible directly to the people in their elective capacity, which is unlike any other law enforcement position in our Union."
Canadian County Sheriff Chris West, President of the Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association and Secretary of the National Sheriffs' Association, worked with Steagall to introduce the legislation.
"It is a tremendous honor to work with Rep. Steagall on this very important piece of legislation," West said. "I have been fortunate to have worked with many outstanding federal, state, county and municipal law enforcement agents throughout my career in different capacities and on multiple types of cases. However, unlike all other police executives, sheriffs are elected by and answer directly to their constituents. The securing of the constitutionally-recognized and protected freedom, liberty and rights of those they represent is of an utmost priority to our sheriffs, which makes recognizing their position as the county's chief law enforcement officer vitally important for our citizens."
Steagall said that this legislation is also important due to a continued effort by the federal government to reach into the day-to-day issues of states and municipalities.
Oklahoma City — Oklahomans United against 805 released a statement upon the news that State Question 805 — which would have allowed repeat criminals out of prison sooner and endangered all law-abiding Oklahomans — has been defeated.
“Thank you to the voters. It proves that grassroots and Oklahomans control their own destiny. Our constitution cannot be bought by out-of-state interests. It took an incredible team, not the least of which are our elected leaders, Governor Kevin Stitt, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell, Attorney General Mike Hunter, and so many others. When we started, it was an uphill battle, but these three leaders stood strong to do what was right -- not just that which appeared to be politically expedient.”
— Former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating
"Oklahomans have shown they do not take altering our constitution lightly. I am very proud my fellow Oklahomans have recognized this, and it is my hope that future efforts fully exhaust legislative remedies before embarking on an amendment as did the out-of-state proponents of S.Q. 805.”
— Marc Nuttle, Attorney & Treasurer, Oklahomans United against 805
I will be officially announcing today that I stand with other Oklahoma Sheriffs, and many across the country in support of the 2nd Amendment, and will proclaim Canadian County, Oklahoma to be a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary County.
As Canadian County Sheriff I swore an oath to protect and support the Oklahoma and United States Constitutions, and there is no other RIGHT more sacred or vital in protecting the freedoms and liberty of American citizens than ensuring the protection/s afforded under the 2nd Amendment.
There is nothing more critical during a home invasion, burglary or other assaults and crimes against persons than the ability to protect yourself and your family.
We are very blessed to live in a state that understands and supports the gun rights of Oklahomans secured and guaranteed under the 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.
I believe that if every citizen who could legally carry a firearm would, not only would they and their families be safer, but our entire community would be safer as well.
I urge and encourage our Oklahoma Legislature and our United States Congressional Delegation to support the rights of American citizens, and oppose any and all attempts to pass state or federal legislation infringing upon the gun rights of Americans, or to support and pass any state or federal laws that would criminalize legal possession of firearms... making criminals out of otherwise law abiding citizens.
Furthermore, I urge our Oklahoma Legislature and our United States Congressional Delegation not to support, pass or take any official actions that would be contradictory to the 2nd Amendment, resulting in the unnatural and immoral act of illegal confiscation of firearms from law abiding citizens, or the establishment of a “mandatory” state or national firearm registry, buyback or other firearms surrender type program/s.
In God We Trust!
