Florida Sheriff Nicholas Finch Arrested For Upholding 2nd Amendment
In February of this year, the Libertarian Party of Florida was elated when all 67 county sheriffs in Florida signed a pledge declaring that they would uphold the 2nd Amendment and protect people’s’ right to keep and bear arms. Sheriff Finch of Liberty County was a signatory to the pledge.
When Sheriff Finch observed a deputy sheriff arresting a Liberty County resident for nothing other than carrying a concealed weapon in March, Finch responded as he pledged he would. He decided against infringing on the 2nd Amendment, and made the obligatory decision to release the individual shortly afterwards. A decision that he was well within his right to make.
Tuesday, June 4th, Gov. Rick Scott, who was elected largely in part of his pro 2nd Amendment stance, suspended Finch from office and appointed Carl Causey, of Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s (FDLE) Pensacola Region, as interim sheriff. It was also FDLE who issued a warrant to arrest Sheriff Finch on charges of “official misconduct” which is a 3rd degree felony and punishable to up to 5 years in prison.
Finch’s attorney, Jimmy Judkins, released a statement that read, ”The records at the jail show exactly what happened in this case and the records speak the truth. The sheriff looked at the facts and said ‘I believe in the second amendment and we’re not going to charge him.’ That is not misconduct at all. That is within the Sheriff’s prerogative whether to charge someone or not.” It appears, therefore, that the Florida sheriff was arrested for doing his job.”
The Libertarian Party of Florida, has been a long time vocal proponent for 2nd Amendment rights, and condemn the actions taken by Governor Scott. He has sent a very loud message to all of Floridian’s and Florida Sheriffs, that he does not trust them to do their own job or stand for the rights of the people. It is clear what side he stands on in the debate on the people’s right to protect themselves and it is against the people.
The Libertarian Party of Florida also feels that the citizens of this state need more true Constitutional Sheriffs like Nicholas Finch. We are calling for people around the state to send a clear message to Rick Scott. That this intrusion on our rights will not be tolerated.
What just happened to Finch, the Florida Sheriff arrested for doing his job, may be the opening shot in a battle between the politicians who infringe on the 2nd amendment and the law enforcement officers who are determined to uphold their oath to protect the Constitution of the United States, and to protect Floridians from all those who threaten or cause harm. The Libertarian Party of Florida urges the voter to keep these actions in mind when casting their ballot in November of 2014. The state of Florida needs real leadership and Rick Scott has proven with these actions that he is not the person that should be charged with protecting the people of our state.
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