Felony Friday: FL Sheriff Vindicated For His Defense Of The Second Amendment
Do you have the right to carry a firearm and use it in self-defense?Americans like to believe that they live in a free society, but in many urban areas around the United States individuals do not have the right to even own a firearm. Almost anywhere you travel in the country, if you want to legally carry a concealed gun, then the State requires that you gain their permission as a prerequisite.Unless permission to carry a firearm is granted by local bureaucrats, an individual is not authorized by the State to defend themselves with a firearm. This is insanity and it directly infringes upon the Second Amendment.Why should a bureaucrat get to determine if you are allowed to defend your life?Fortunately, in the state of Florida, the Second Amendment received a ringing endorsement from a local sheriff.Liberty County, Florida lived up to its name this past week. Sheriff Nick Finch was found not guilty of misconduct originating from allegations that he intervened in the arrest of Floyd Eugene Parrish on gun charges.NBC Miami reports that the jury took roughly an hour to produce the not guilty verdict for the suspended Liberty County Sheriff. Finch had been suspended by Governor Rick Scott after being charged this past June with official misconduct, a felony charge.Sheriff Finch was accused of destroying records associated with the arrest of Parrish. Parrish was arrested when one of Finch’s deputies found that he was carrying a pistol without a concealed carry permit.Finch denied destroying records, but openly stated that he did not believe state gun laws should trump the Second Amendment.It is refreshing to know that there are still police officers that understand the intent of the Constitution. Shocking, I know.On this site we frequently criticize police officers when they infringe upon our liberties. It is equally important that we credit individuals, even if they work for the State, when they defend our liberty.This story could act as a watershed moment with regard to the enforcement of gun laws. Hopefully, the principled stance held by Sheriff Finch emboldens other police officers to heed his actions and to consider legalizing the Constitution.
