The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence (CSGV) is targeting Wicomico County Sheriff Mike Lewis, actively campaigning to have the pro-gun law enforcement officer lose his teaching certification for comments he made about the Second Amendment.
Back in August, Sheriff Lewis emphatically voiced his opposition to Maryland’s new gun law and attempts by the federal government to roll back the right to keep and bear arms.
“As long as I’m the sheriff in this county,” he said in a video posted on Youtube, “I will not allow the federal government to come in here and strip my citizens of their right to bear arms. I can tell you this, if they attempt to do that, it would be an all-out civil war, no question about it.”
Well, CSGV took umbrage with the “civil war” aspect of the Sheriff’s comment and on Tuesday launched the “Tell the Maryland Police Training Commission: Revoke Mike Lewis’ Certification” campaign.
Ladd Everitt, communications director of CSGV, argued that “insurrectionist” language should not be tolerated in a public servant.
“When you employ violence against your government essentially to effect policy decisions, you are damaging the principle of political equality,” Everitt told DelmarvaNow.
“That’s the behavior of a thug, not a citizen in a democracy,” Everitt added.
CSGV website reads, in part, “It is difficult to see how a law enforcement officer who is threatening to wage war with the United States government meets any recognized standards of public service. In the wake of his threatening comments, Sheriff Lewis should not be given the responsibility of training law enforcement officers in Maryland.”
However, Lewis called the effort “ludicrous,” noting that he teaches his students about apprehending and identifying criminals, not about what their views on the Second Amendment should be.
“They’re going to twist and turn this to suit their own special needs,” he said.
For Lewis to lose his certification, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services would have to hold a staff review and evaluate whether the sheriff has violated any commission regulations, according to spokesperson Gerald Shields.
Shields did not say whether a review would be held for Sheriff Lewis.
As of Tuesday, CSGV petition had collected around 1,470 signatures. It’s not clear how many are need to move the needle for a review as anyone can make a request for staff review. But with 30 years of law enforcement under his belt, Lewis doesn’t seem all too concerned either way.
“I will continue to identify and arrest all criminals who are in violation of the law,” he said.
He should remind those people that he took an oath to uphold the Constitution and is doing just that! He should also point out the facts that violent crime is much lower in states that have less restrictive gun laws.
Ladd Everett should read what Lincoln said:
Lincoln on the Right of Revolution. In Congress, January 12, 1848
“Any people anywhere, being inclined and having the power have the right to rise up and shake off the existing government, and form a new one that suits them better. This is a most valuable, a most sacred right-a right which, we hope and believe, is to liberate the World.”
Prior to taking office as a public servant this sheriff swore an oath to:
“I, [name], do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.”
I’d say that anyone that undermined, or did not support our Constitution was not fit for public office!
Smith
County Sheriff Mike Lewis this country needs more LEO’s like you! Well done sir.
From my perspective, Mr. Everitt is a coalition thug. This country is not a Democracy but a republic. It’s citizens are guaranteed the right to keep and bear arms -for protection against the criminal element as well as an over zealous, over reaching Federal government. A law enforcement officer who would stand up to a government trying to infringe or remove its citizens constitutional right(s) is a true patriot. One that I would join to defend those constitutional rights.
It could have been said better. I think; “I have sworn to uphold the constitution, and any federal officer who attempts to violate any citizens constitutional rights in my county, without a valid legal reason will be subject to arrest by my officers. Like any law breaker would be.”
To all the dip strips of the CSGV. If the founding fathers had listened to you – we would be British now. People like this sheriff saved this country from invaders.. Think about it ????? Dip Strips..
Sounds like he’s trying to uphold his oath to protect and defend the constitution, against all enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC.
“When you employ violence against your government essentially to effect policy decisions, you are damaging the principle of political equality,” Everitt told DelmarvaNow.”
Mr. Everitt, when you employ unconstitutional policy to affect citizen disarmament you too are damaging the principle of political equality.
However, I don’t expect you to understand that.
I see the Sheriffs comments as those of a Citizen, and the comments from the “others” as thug like intimidation. Stand for the Constitution and leave your PC BS at the door.
Ladd Everitt, stated “When you employ violence against your government essentially to effect policy decisions, you are damaging the principle of political equality” So a public servant surrenders his 1st Amendment rights in acceptance of office?
As a director of communications, surely his media access is faultless; never editorialized, reported, promoted or disparaged, indicated bias toward characters or events. It is astounding he maintains absolute neutrality, that sole practitioner outside an otherwise questionable gaggle of spinners.
Reminds me of a certain sociology professor online. By some infinitesimal small bit of chance, he just happened to author the textbook required. Every submission for course credit needed properly cited legitimate sources; searchable in the university’s online library. Wikipedia (and wiki’s in general) were not only frowned on, but disallowed! So professor, your material is pure of bias and agenda, despite being paid for such text; therefore superior to contributions by uncompensated members of a boundless community? Hmm.
Only a Sociologist can figure out how to get a pulse without frickin’ patients.
Mr. Everitt’s ideal of political equality is more principle than reality. I’d press him to describe where ‘Principle’ ‘Policy’ or ‘Privilege’ outranks a ‘Right’.
To those who question intent the forefathers set in the 2nd Amendment, look at statues of the Minutemen. Even an artist could bring the 2nd to life with a handful of tools, by reading and interpreting perfectly phrased ironclad English – not a degree in law.
Leave it to a liberal to be so ignorant as to not know we are not in a democracy but a republic the overwhelming will of the people is for the right to bear arms it is a minority of uneducated unethical pukes that always lie and stir the pot
Since that minority of uneducated, lying, unethical “pukes” is attempting to (illegally – outside the Constitution’s strictures) change our Constitutional Republic into a socialist regime… those “pukes,” by definition, ARE indeed “domestic enemies” of this country! They need to be removed, completely.
The organization attacking the Sheriff is actively working against the Constitution. THAT should be illegal since they are harassing an LEO who hasn’t broken the law…MAYBE the IRS should go after THEM.
F. Scott, NO! Stop.
Mike Lewis is a well respected police officer in Wicomico County. The standards he has set since being in office has raised the confidence of both the officers under him but also the people who elected him. In a state where a very small land area controls the whole we are greatfull to have someone take up for the local opinions against Baltimore city. We of the eastern shore have no real say in the laws that can be passed and imposed by just 4 counties. Thank you MIke,
Leave it to a liberal to twist words around and try to make a case.
I was thinking the same thing Charles.
I also share your point of view.
Thanks for your service to our country.
Your a true American and your opinion means more than anyone else’s on this matter.
As I read his statement, the officer did not say he would lead or start a civil war. He simply stated that there would be one if the government tried to take weapons from the common man. I for one think he is correct. I would die before I’d let my own government steal my firearms because at that point I would no longer respect it as my government. I’ve given almost twenty years of my life to our country between active duty army, national guard, and army reserve. These critics have every right to express their opinions just like everyone else but they don’t have the right to try to destroy the life of a fine man who has dedicated his life public service.
Charles, you are right in every aspect of your remarks. most people don’t know it but the “county sheriff” is the ultimate authority in the chain of law enforcement responsibility. I currently know a police chief where I live in NE Tennessee say that if the federal authorities ever came in to seize weapons there would be blood running in the streets. His statement not mine. I also agree with you that if the government tries a weapon seizure effort I too would defend my Constitutional right to disobey. By the way, read the first part of the Declaration of Independence and the writers specifically say that if any government becomes tyrannical the “people” have the right and obligation to seize the government and reorganize it under the proper standards. Hear that Washington elites?