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SHERIFF D'AGOSTINI holds a pocket size edition of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights in his hand as he speaks to a group March 7 at the Office of Education in Placerville about his duty to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. Democrat photo by Pat Dollins
John D’Agostini, sheriff of El Dorado County, discussed and debated a number of gun-related issues at last week’s meeting of the Democratic Women of El Dorado County. More than 80 attended, nearly filling a large conference room at the county Office of Education. Some were there to challenge the sheriff’s highly public and publicized remarks on gun control and the Second Amendment, while others were eager to learn more about the county’s chief law enforcement officer’s views and positions on crime and related issues.
While introducing D’Agostini, the group’s president, Jamie Beutler, jokingly welcomed him to the “lion’s den.” The reference suggested that he was walking into a hostile political environment filled with “liberal anti-gun Democrats.”
The sheriff took the joke good naturedly and described a community outreach program he has instituted to help “break down walls that have built up between law enforcement and the community.” He noted that he wants to change what he calls a common European dynamic where police officers are referred to as “men without legs” — that is, cops who never get out of their cars. He also described monthly meetings on the slate and community surveys to ascertain residents’ needs and expectations regarding law enforcement.
Written questions had been solicited in advance and more were collected from the audience. The first question, “Did you or someone else write the letter to Vice President Biden” that appeared on the front page of the Mountain Democrat? The letter sounded a defiant tone against what the sheriff perceived as potentially “unconstitutional laws or executive orders” that might restrict the Second Amendment.
“I wrote that letter one evening,” he said. “It needed to be said, and I have strong feelings about it. I take my oath of office very, very seriously. I have a copy of the Constitution in my pocket and all Sheriff’s Department employees will have one soon as well.”
D’Agostini acknowledged that he is not a “constitutional scholar,” but his study and research assure him that the foundation of the Second Amendment is about “being free from a tyrannical government. It is the law of the land … but it goes far beyond the Second Amendment.”
Larry Beutler, PhD in Psychology and former director of the National Center for the Psychology of Terrorism, represented a somewhat more clinical perspective on the issue of gun violence. Like any good professor, Beutler announced that he did not intend “to be as brief as the sheriff” in his initial remarks.
“America is a violent country,” he opened. “The FBI says we have 100,000 gun-related deaths every year. That represents 80 percent of the gun violence of the 23 next most-populous countries.”
Beutler continued with the rhetorical question, “Does reducing the access to guns reduce firearm violence? We have an empirical marker showing that people who own guns are more likely to die by gun,” he said in praise of good science and good research. “The scientific method allows us to take the emotion out of the issue.”
Wrapping up his introductory “lecture,” Beutler cited studies concluding that “guns are much more likely to be used to intimidate and threaten than to protect home and self (there are only about 200 cases of non-police officers saving their own lives with a gun)…. If you make it even a little bit harder (to get guns), it will have a significant reduction in bad behavior. That’s according to the American Medical Association, American Psychological Association and various other scientific groups,” he said.
The next audience question to the sheriff related to his letter to Biden wherein he vowed not to uphold “an unconstitutional law” regarding gun control or other perceived violation of the Second Amendment.
“How will you decide if a law is or is not constitutional?” the moderator read.
“I sincerely hope and believe it will never happen (curtailment of the Second Amendment) … (or other similar action like) some hypothetical situation such as quartering of troops (in private homes),” he explained.
[The Third Amendment: QUARTERING OF SOLDIERS. The constitution of the United States, Amend. art. 3, provides that "no soldier shall in time of peace be quartered, in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war but in a manner to be prescribed by law." By quartering is understood boarding and lodging or either.]
“And for every study the doctor cited there are opposing studies. I’d like to see a law that felons with guns get serious jail time. Background checks should be more stringent (to keep guns out of the hands of knuckleheads),” D’Agostini said.
D’Agostini used the term “knuckleheads” throughout his remarks to distinguish law abiding citizens and gun owners from criminals, “gang-bangers” and others who should not have firearms.
Responding to “How are you enforcing California laws that are on the books?” the sheriff proudly stated, “My deputies enforce every law in all categories. We’ve changed the way we patrol and we have a special enforcement division. We don’t turn our backs on any laws. They are our tools to protect you.”
He noted that his office cofiscates weapons from “felons and misdemeanants” as much as possible but scolded the state Department of Justice for “not wisely using their resources” and chasing low-level miscreants rather than going after those who pose serious threats to the community — knuckleheads and idiots.
Dr. Beutler interjected that “Most murders are committed not by criminals but as crimes of passion.”
Regarding issuance of Conceal Carry Weapon permits, D’Agostini praised the process and documentation required for CCW applicants and acknowledged the number has increased by at least double or more in the past two years. An audience member said it “seems counterintuitive (to public safety) to have three times more concealed weapons since you’ve been sheriff.”
“I trust the CCW person more, because the bad guys don’t apply for them,” D’Agostini countered.
Regarding law enforcement’s handling of situations involving individuals who may be mentally ill and are posing a threat or perceived threat, D’Agostini credited his predecessor, Jeff Neves, for implementing a comprehensive training program for officers. Establishment of a “crisis intervention team” has been an effective way to deal with the problem, he said. He further noted that incidents involving “adjudicated mentally ill persons have been very uncommon here.”
Beutler then pointed out that the “incidence of homicide by such individuals is a little bit higher than among the general population, but it’s very difficult to identify who will be violent.” Suicide is more common among the mentally ill than is homicide, he added.
Asked about the existence of organized, violent, “patriot” vigilante groups in the county, D’Agostini said there have been “none on my radar.”
The sheriff’s advice as to how “non-gun owners” can protect themselves drew a laugh when he suggested, “Don’t put up a sign saying you’re a non-gun owner.” Realistically, however, he said, “keep your perimeter clear, don’t walk in the dark, maybe get a dog” (as was shouted out by an audience member).
In their closing remarks, Dr. Beutler said, “I’d love it if we could all operate from the same set of facts, those on which all global science agrees.”
Sheriff D’Agostini got a big round of applause when he concluded, “This is not a lion’s den. I work for you.”
Jamie Beutler described her group’s general reaction to the sheriff. “Most people really like him as a person and think he’s doing a good job with his community outreach, but some are puzzled by the strength of his opposition to the president’s positions.
“Has he really read what the president has written? Some of us are really frustrated that he wrote that letter to the vice president when it appears that he hasn’t read those positions. And as much as we like our sheriff, it’s not his job to determine the constitutionality of laws. That’s the Supreme Court’s job. But overall, we’re very pleased with how he’s doing. And I’d like to feel that when we do disagree with him, we can be very polite and respectful. I was hoping to find some common ground, and I think we did.”
Contact Chris Daley at 530-344-5063 or cdaley@mtdemocrat.net. Follow @CDaleyMtDemo.
Riordan: I think it’s great you back the Sheriff for his integrity, but I really think it’s called something else when you absentmindedly give out 2000 concealed weapons permits without checking mental health backgrounds. And only through your eyes were the people the Sheriff talked to hostile. About the icing, many of us have been flying since we teenagers and many of us have plotted course for international destination for flights as well as sailing vessels. What one learns through years of travel and experience is to avoid short tempered braggarts like your self. You may be a competent experienced pilot to some, but to others of us your average, with a good safety record, which counts for something.
free market capitalism :
In economics, laissez-faire describes an environment in which transactions between private parties are free from state intervention,… a side note to midnight, wasn’t it great to be able to earn money at age 11 before the lefists outlawed it.
DB Smith, I guess Kookie and Ken needed some help why else do you need to chime in? And really you have to bring my underwear into this? But because you are so interested …Nope, I checked, no bunching at all, but because I am so stupid I need to know, is that the way they are supposed to be? Still laughing all the way down to my non bunched up panties!
Kookie, Laissez-faire (i/ˌlɛseɪˈfɛər-/, French: [lɛsefɛʁ] ( listen)) (or sometimes laisser-faire) is an economic environment in which transactions between private parties are free from tariffs, government subsidies, and enforced monopolies, with only enough government regulations sufficient to protect property rights against theft and aggression. What country do you live in?
Midnight, did you see where they carried the coffin of obama’s idol chavez through the poverty stricken slums he left behind where people wait in line for hours hoping to get a sack of flour while he amassed a fortune of @$2 billion stolen through socialism from the citizens of Venezuala? If you lack the understanding of how wealth redistribution and statism under any name turns out everytime it is tried then you can claim anything you want but you are not educated. But like every leftist, you have an identity crisis going on so you have laid claim to numerous different things attempting to impress someone. You guys are like a broken record. http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/L/LT_VENEZUELA_PROBLEMS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2013-03-15-21-26-31
Kookie, Laissez-faire (i/ˌlɛseɪˈfɛər-/, French: [lɛsefɛʁ] ( listen)) (or sometimes laisser-faire) is an economic environment in which transactions between private parties are free from tariffs, government subsidies, and enforced monopolies, with only enough government regulations sufficient to protect property rights against theft and aggression. It’s OK to be wrong.
Dimlight, which part of the public trough do you feed from?
Did you see where after all the whining an sniveling from obama over his plan of sequester he has already spent $30.5billion more in the first 5 months of this fiscal year than during the same period of time last year. Too bad he has closed the Whitehouse to the kids who’s money he is spending. http://cnsnews.com/news/article/305b-federal-spending-not-down-first-5-months-fy13
Dimlight, you do understand why leftists hate free market capitalism don’t you? Tell me something with all that education, what is the single thing that give the dollar bill value?
Dimlight, did you see the anti-capitalists in Oakland protesting, breaking windows and smashing ATM’s? Don’t you think they should give up everything the free market provides and move their naked a**es into a cave? Or is it that they just want to benifit from it and not participate in it? Like the useless and highly pungent occupy parasites. Where would the leftists be without the non-producers to vote for them?
Dimlight, did you see what the lib icon Bill Maher said? He was having a discussion on the taxes in California and claimed the libs here may lose him because of the out of control taxation. He admitted something that is taboo for leftists to say. Pointing at Virginia’s former Republican Congressman Tom Davis, Maher said, “You know what? Rich people – I’m sure you’d agree with this – actually do pay the freight in this country.” Leftism only advances when the lies and deceptions are repeated. He went totally off the reservation.
Read more: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2013/03/16/bill-maher-california-income-taxes-liberals-you-could-actually-lose-m#ixzz2NqvmLBcq
Dimlight, did you see how wrong Krugman was on his austerity predictions? http://www.cnbc.com/id/100558455
Kookie, Used to be gold based, now faith based. But why are you asking me? Remember I am stupid, an idiot, a fraud, delusional, uninformed and finally a liar.
Did you see where California wants to steal even more money from the job creaters in another attempt to keep the public sector pensions and healthcare afloat. Talk about outright theft. http://www.kcra.com/news/local-news/news-sacramento/Small-businesses-in-California-fight-retroactive-tax/-/12969376/19322946/-/item/0/-/hgcbegz/-/index.html
Dimlight, that is not the answer oh educated one. There is a single thing that gives our dollar value, what is it? Show us all that education you claim to have… google away you won’t find it. Either you know it or you don’t. That is what I love about leftists, the run right out and try and establish their expertise cause they are soooooo educated, and really all they are is just another redistributionist. Looking for a way to get their hands on other peoples money. There isn’t one living that isn’t a total fraud.
Dimlight, did you see after decades of leftists and union rule and being the highest taxes state in the nation California ranks numero uno in poverty. If that doesn’t show leftism for what it is nothing will and you can’t see it because you choose not to. http://www.news10.net/news/article/235293/2/Lawmakers-ask-why-nearly-1-in-4-Californians-live-in-poverty
Kookie,
Minors aged 12 through 17 are required to get work permits before starting a job. A minor under the age of 12 cannot receive a work permit except in the entertainment industry. There are a few exceptions to these rules. No work permit is required for the following jobs: 1) certain agricultural industry jobs, 2) odd jobs in private homes such as gardening and babysitting, 3) newspaper delivery jobs, 4) casual work in a family-owned business, and 5) self-employment – Cali Dept Labor Do you tire of being wrong?
Dimlight, you do understand that leftism regardless of variation needs what capitalism creates in order to exist. It is funded by wealth capitalism creates. It does not create anything, it only consumes. It feeds off the destruction of people. It eventually collapses under the weight of its own immorality. It stifles human nature and takes creative, productive people and makes them dependent. Its foundation is the redistribution of wealth. It suffocates the very thing it needs to survive, other people’s money. It limits the potential of people and eventually devours itself once it destroys the mechanisms that cause prosperity.
Dimlight, I am not wrong. We existed as a country longer without a permit from the government to work than we have with needing a permit from the government to work. So tell me is it legal for a kid to work without getting permission from the government? How do you figure it is any of the governments business? Still waiting for you to tell me what gives our dollar value.
I think its time that one of us exercises our civic and humanitarian responsibility and duty as citizens of El Dorado County and request that Cookie turn in her guns and powder for her own safety and well being as well as the safety and well being of our community.
Richard, you would fit perfectly into the Gestapo. They had the same idea. Anyone who didn’t conform to the party line was deemed a threat. Anyone who expressed views other than what were permitted were locked away. They perfected the government schools that the libs in America have used quite successfully to undermine education and independent thinking. Amazing how threatened you feel over someone who doesn’t share your indoctinated groupthink.
We all know Detroit is bankrupt and we all know why. Corrupt leftist politicians and corrupt public sector unions. They just did an audit and discovered another $7.2 billion in unfunded, unreported public sector healthcare debt. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/12/us/for-detroit-a-financial-crisis-was-long-coming.html?pagewanted=all&_r=2&
Did you see where the taxpayers paid $1,150 per foot for a 100ft bike path? Maybe this was one of obama’s shovel ready jobs. http://www.kcra.com/news/New-Elk-Grove-bike-path-costs-1-150-per-foot/-/11797728/19291236/-/ypbj7iz/-/index.html#comments
Kookie,
Funny you ascribed me as a leftist, democrat, and a socialist. I never once said what my political convictions are. But to you, one who disagrees with you must be one of these things. And you are wrong again. Careful, your paranoia is showing. You watch way tooo much TV. This is my farewell, and it’s been fun. I wanted to get your goat and you went right down the rabbit hole HAHAHA! Everything I have said is truthful. I never meant to be insulting as you have been, because if I did I would say something like you are living proof of goat rape, but I would nover say such a thing! What I will say, you, Kookie need original thoughts and your logic is far from sound. Egads, you sir are a wart on the nose of society. Bye! Oh. now you can get back to slapping each other on the back and tell each other how superior you are! No need to respond wont be back to your boring oatmeal postings. And for crying out loud please buy a wig for your bald personality and go back where the woodbine twineth. Peace.
And I was hoping you would dazzle us with your brilliance by answering a couple of simple questions. But like all leftist you avoid any discussion of reality and scamper off declaring victory. The same way dianne feinstein got toasted the other day in a hearing on gun control. You don’t have to tell me you are a leftists, you all use the same talking points. Just like a school of fish.
“Harry Reid’s Gun Control Bill Makes a Missing Firearm a Ticket to Five Years in Prison” – HERE