Colorado Sheriff Says Dems Are Using Salary Threats To Pressure Sheriffs To Support Gun Control Bill

One Colorado sheriff is claiming that Democrats are pressuring pro-gun sheriffs in the state with tactics he think border on extortion. In a radio interview with KVOR on Saturday, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said he received an email last week with a threat to stop or stall pay raises to the state’s elected sheriffs if they don’t support Colorado’s pending gun control legislation.

It appears the gun-grab crowd are attacking our 2nd Amendment rights by any means necessary.

The email, sent from the offices of the County Sheriffs of Colorado, “basically said, Dem. leadership is very upset with the sheriffs and their opposition to the gun control bills,” Maketa said. He claimed it said the Democrats were threatening to delay legislation that would give the sheriffs a long-delayed pay raise if they continue to speak out against the new push for more gun control laws.

They will force these Sheriff's to go along with their agenda or they won't get a raise...

I've never seen a bigger push in America to destroy our ability to protect ourselves from tyrannical government, it's so out in the open now, almost unbelievable.



www.theblaze.com...

This is pretty low, thoughts?

I think good, solid and well reasoned ideas stand on their own and don't need to be sold to anyone, let alone coerced and arm twisted like this. If this were a sound course of action, likely to bring results then the Sheriff's could support it on merit.

The fact they can't and won't tells me our system works as intended ..and trying to arm twist the outcome is simply trying to circumvent the system itself. These tactics are getting real old and tiresome.

reply to post by Signals


The OP's comments do not reflect the whole story. The "e-mail" upon which the claim is based is unavailable. And, posted link also contains the following, which suggests the title may be misleading/sensational journalism (Deny Ignorance):

"Colorado Sheriff Says Dems Are Using Salary Threats to Pressure Sheriffs to Support Gun Control Bills
Mar. 10, 2013 10:08am Mike Opelka

One Colorado sheriff is claiming that Democrats are pressuring pro-gun sheriffs in the state with tactics he think border on extortion.

In a radio interview with KVOR on Saturday, El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa said he received an email last week with a threat to stop or stall pay raises to the state’s elected sheriffs if they don’t support Colorado’s pending gun control legislation.

The email, sent from the offices of the County Sheriffs of Colorado, “basically said, Dem. leadership is very upset with the sheriffs and their opposition to the gun control bills,” Maketa said.

He claimed it said the Democrats were threatening to delay legislation that would give the sheriffs a long-delayed pay raise if they continue to speak out against the new push for more gun control laws.

In the radio interview, Maketa strongly suggested that the pressure being placed on sheriffs organization bordered on extortion and should be investigated.

Maketa said some sheriffs in the organization were suggesting they compromise and support one proposed bill that would remove firearms and ammunition from people accused of domestic violence before ever being convicted of a crime.

“They’re infringing on your Fourth Amendment rights and Fifth Amendment rights,” Maketa said.

He quoted statistics saying firearms were used in less than 2 percent of crimes reported in his state. Maketa also said that if guns are confiscated, blunt objects and instruments like knives and scissors should be as well, since they are used in domestic violence cases more often than guns.

Hear Maketa’s full interview 18-minute interview with KVOR’s Jeff Crank below. (The issue of the alleged coercion starts around the 6:30 mark.)

After the interview, Maketa took to his Facebook page to clarify that the email did not come directly from Colorado Democrats:

I want to make something very clear; I have not been directly threatened or coerced in any way nor would I tolerate any threat. A message delivered verbally to a representative of the Colorado Sheriff’s Association basically stated that the Senate Dems are very upset with the Colorado Sheriffs opposing the gun legislation proposed by the Senate Democrats. This message insinuated that this could negatively affect the salary bill which has been delayed and put off by the Democrats with the excuse that they would expect bipartisan support. I do believe the salary proposal is being held hostage and I believe that if they’re willing to send gun control measures without bipartisan support then they should be willing to take a stand as the majority leadership and follow a democrat-created commission’s recommendations.

It’s been seven years since the sheriffs have had a salary increase. Maketa’s post continued:

This inaction, and other vague insinuations, I take as quid pro quo. They are holding the salary of sheriffs hostage to gain compliance with gun control matters. I assure you that there is not a legislator on the dems’ side of the isle that will take ownership of this injustice, nor will they know where it came from, but their inaction will speak volumes. This salary proposal or recommendation has no bearing on me personally as it does not affect me since I am term limited.

Maketa did not immediately return a request for comment "

Does Colorado have "no arrest" clauses protecting their state legislators?

Actions of extortion or political discrimination, are most certainly illegal. Are they not? Pretty simple solution and it is up to the courts to figure out if the arrested are guilty

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


Did you actually listen to the video, and what the sheriff said? That they were changing the rules up until the LAST HOUR, so that the HUNDREDS of citizens who traveled there to voice their opinion were totally shut down, and not allowed to speak. Not even one! They even did the same to the sheriffs themselves, all except for one or two!

:shk:

And threatening sheriff's pay over their position on the gun control bill? It IS extortion. It's total BS is what it is. Why all the ammo purchases and police militarization? Because they know what's coming down the pike. Gun control bills out the ass. They are getting ready to deal with those who would oppose tyranny. Plain and simple.

Oh and btw Signals, thanks for the thread. S&F

reply to post by surfin4it


If you're going to quote the entire piece, you should use these--> [ ex] ... [ /ex]

Your post validates the claim, however

reply to post by TrueAmerican


I'm totally confused as to what you're debating? I'm in full agreement with you and without qualification?

The ways and 'clever' tactics being used at all levels to ram through gun policy the general public either flat doesn't want or certainly doesn't want THIS way is over the top and pushing hard outside the limits of even our rather open way of running Government in this nation.

I'm just not getting what I said? Hmmm...

reply to post by Wrabbit2000


lol, no brother, my comment was meant as a supportive post, and only because you didn't seem to comment much on the actual content of what the sheriff in the video said. No debate. No need. Tyranny is clear.

reply to post by Signals

This is pretty low, thoughts?

You almost make it sound as if there is a limit to how low they'll go. But I know you better than that Sig.
I like how a lot of the State Govs. are come'n off all pro second amendment. Like their behind the people and the constitution. I bet everyone of 'em will stab us in the back with the old bait and switch.

SnF

reply to post by randyvs


A politician lying for political gain? Say it ain't so...please say it ain't soooo....oh my world has just crumbled around me...

Sheriff Maketa is my county sheriff and he's awesome. His deputies are fantastic and he runs a great office.

Fantastic guy.

Worst administration..... EVER.

most criminal administration......EVER.

Most useless administration.....EVER.


They should be tried in a court of law for their unlawful actions. They are not exempt.

Sooo... Republicans don't like it when their own tactics are used on them by Democrats??? Sorry no sympathy, even though this probably isn't even true.

reply to post by SweetChild


sooooooo...... Democrats applauding this kind of behaviour. (not suprised)\

You want to back up your statements with facts?

Or do you just want people thinking you are a troll ?

Originally posted by SweetChild
Sooo... Republicans don't like it when their own tactics are used on them by Democrats??? Sorry no sympathy, even though this probably isn't even true.

How about you post some links backing up your inflamatory claim?

Or do you normally make such statements without including facts to back up your accusations?

Originally posted by Lostmymarbles
reply to post by randyvs

 

A politician lying for political gain? Say it ain't so...please say it ain't soooo....oh my world has just crumbled around me...

Think you'll miss it ? I can always tell when a politician is lying. His lips are moving.

reply to post by Signals



Well, shoot.....pardon the pun....pretty soon won't be nothing but them sweet little sashaying Hollywood celebrities and their fully armed bodyguards will be going to Colorado to ski.

What? You don't have fully armed bodyguards day and night? What's wrong with you? You do know that under the socialist system only the elite will have guns. The guns held by big, burly bodyguards.

I'm starting to think that the poor classes of the socialist order won't be able to live in Colorado anymore.; The rent's too high. And they'll get mugged by the socialist criminals.

It's a brave new world developing out there. Just because you call yourself a socialist doesn't mean you get to hobnob with the socialist elite at Vail.

We may not get borders up along the Mexican boundary, but we sure might be getting those borders up between states fast enough?

You figuring the sheriff's or our nation might be getting together some day at a big old convention to talk about what sheriffs are going to do anymore?



KY Sheriff Scoffs at Idea Obama Could Use Executive Order to Confiscate Guns

www.youtube.com...

You think this here big city sheriff might want to get together with them there Colorado sheriffs to come up with a unified plan?


Published on Feb 24, 2013


Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. warns of a second American Revolution if cops have to enforce extreme gun control measures


Sheriff Warns of Second American Revolution over Gun Control

www.youtube.com...

The Government is starting to get really carried away with this sh1t. Taking money from public servants for not supporting gun control? That's horse sh1t.

If I was them I would give a speech to the citizens of CO directed towards the Democrats saying "Yes, they can take our guns away, but when and if they get them we will be surrounded in empty shell casings holding an empty gun."

People need to rise the # up and quit pussing out. The Government could stop EVERY citizen. On with the Revolution please

Originally posted by coltcall
You think this here big city sheriff might want to get together with them there Colorado sheriffs to come up with a unified plan?


Published on Feb 24, 2013


Milwaukee County Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. warns of a second American Revolution if cops have to enforce extreme gun control measures


Sheriff Warns of Second American Revolution over Gun Control

This is the greatest Sheriff in the country...