Pro-Self Defense Sheriff Apologizes for "Embarrassing" Police Chief Testimony

Pro-Self Defense Sheriff Apologizes for "Embarrassing" Police Chief Testimony
By Katie Pavlich
3/6/2013

Ever wonder why police chiefs from big, crime ridden cities are always chosen to testify before the Senate about gun control while sheriffs are often ignored? Police chiefs are appointed. They simply serve as politicians and mouth pieces for their city councils and liberal mayors. This is the case in anti-self defense Philadelphia, Chicago, Washington D.C. Milwaukee etc. Sheriffs on the other hand are elected and represent the voices of the people they serve.

On Monday Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke, the sheriff who sent out a public service announcement encouraging residents to learn how to use a firearm in order to protect themselves, sent a letter to Senator Lindsey Graham apologizing on behalf of his constituents for the "embarrassing" behavior of Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn at a recent subcommittee hearing. Flynn shilled for more gun control just like Baltimore County Police Chief James Johnson did during a gun violence hearing back in January.

From the letter (emphasis is mine):

I am Sheriff David A. Clarke J r., the elected sheriff of Milwaukee County, which is the most populous county in the state of Wisconsin and comprises 19 municipalities, including the City of Milwaukee. I am writing to offer an apology on behalf of my constituents for the embarrassing behavior of Milwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn, who testified on February 26, 2013, before a subcommittee that you sit on.

Please do not see his arrogance as exemplary ofthe people in Milwaukee County. His views on gun Control are his and he is entitled to them, but he has no constituency of his own. He is an appointed bureaucrat. I do not remember him emphasizing that fact and I want to you to know that his viewpoint does not represent either my view on gun control nor countless other law-abiding citizens and gun owners in Milwaukee County. Chief Flynn has been a mouthpiece for the Mayors Against Guns group that has made no secret of their desire to obliterate the Second Amendment. Chief Flynn should have made his bias clear before speaking.

More concerning, however, is the rude behavior Chief Flynn displayed. I watched in utter disbelief as he talked over and interrupted you, at one point arguing that your questions were “self-answering.” You, Senator, are a distinguished and respected member of the United States Senate, and have represented the people of the state of South Carolina in Congress since 1994. The Way you have conducted yourself on Capitol Hill personalities statesmanship. Regardless of your political party or political views a very certain amount of dignity and respect comes along with being an elected official in our representative democracy. Chief Flynn showed you none as he shamefully tried to shout you down and talk over you as you asked very relevant questions about street Violence in Milwaukee that he did not want to address because it would unveil his true motive, which is gun control, not a reduction in street violence.

Clarke implied a willingness to testify before Congress about the issue of gun control in the letter and pointed out the positions of other sheriffs who hold an opposing view to Flynn.

I have a forceful personality but would not even dream of coming up to Capitol Hill to disrespect and shout down a member of Congress who is tasked with asking questions to get answers on behalf of the American people. My understanding of political protocol and discourse is that if two or more elected officials Want to engage in discourse that stretches the boundaries, that is tine. But an appointed bureaucrat should never for one second think that the same understanding applies to him.

After Chief Flynn’s testimony and in an interview with a Milwaukee newspaper, he accused members of Congress who do not support the evisceration ofthe Second Amendment to the Constitution, of crying “crocodile tears,” and suggested that their support of law enforcement was insincere. Several days later I received a phone call from Sheriff James Alton (A1) Cannon, Jr. of Charleston County, South Carolina. He offered his suppolt for my position regarding law-abiding gun owners and Wanted me to know that no one in South Cai'olina has been a more steadfast supporter of the law enforcement community than you, sir. I did not doubt that for one second.

Now the question is, will he get invited?
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To read another article about gun control, click here.
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To read another article by Katie Pavlich, click here.
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To read more about Sheriff David Clarke, click here.