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GOP subcommittee rebukes Sheriff concealed gun policy
April 6th, 2009, 6:00 pm · 26 Comments · posted by NORBERTO SANTANA JR.
The county’s GOP central committee is gearing up for a showdown with Sheriff Sandra Hutchens over her concealed weapons policies.
This weekend, a resolution committee for the GOP voted 7-0 to condemn Hutchen’s new gun policies, which are stricter than the policy she inherited from former Sheriff Mike Carona.
Allan Bartlett, a GOP activist who heads up the resolution committee, said the panel convened this weekend to hear the resolution prepared by Bruce Whitaker – who works for county Supervisor Chris Norby.
Speaking only for himself, Bartlett said the resolution committee decided to weigh in because of the importance of the gun issue to local Republicans.
“This is a core issue of freedom for the Republican Party,” Bartlett said. “This is way of showing those in our party that we’re backing up our words with actions. This is a small step in sending a message to our voters that we want to get back to the basics of what made our party great in the past.”
While Bartlett said the committee wasn’t making a proclamation on Hutchens, he said her gun policies are not popular.
“Our right to self defense is in the sheriff’s hands. And by interpreting California law as narrowly as she has decided, it’s having a chilling effect on citizens even applying.”
While Hutchens supporters have argued that the issue is not that central to moderate Republicans, such as those in the New Majority, a spokesman for the group declined to comment saying it had not been discussed at any leadership meetings.
Hutchens said she was disappointed in the resolution committee’s vote and said she respectfully disagreed with their take on the issue.
“I understand the concern by the central committee, about the gun issues,” she said. “But I’m disappointed in the fact that they don’t understand that I feel strongly about the integrity of this department.”
“I’m not going to sell the integrity of this office because some people are unhappy about the law. I’m not going to be the vehicle to find a way around that law.”
The issue of concealed weapons permits has been raging since Hutchens took office and decided to tighten how such licenses were granted. Carona made expanding such permits a central part of his three election campaigns.
However, those permits also got on the radar of federal prosecutors who alleged that Carona handed them out to campaign supporters.
Hutchens has been motivated by that since she took office and her policy sharply contrasts with Carona’s.
Hutchens has said that although sheriff’s have broad discretion to hand out such permits, she said state law creates narrow exceptions. Others disagree with her saying that the legislature left such decision in the hands of local sheriffs.
When asked whether she supports in concept the idea of having concealed weapons permits handed out in a uniform manner (often called Shall Issue), Hutchens said she could not comment without seeing specifics of a proposal.
“I think it’s up for debate,” she said. “It’s not a simple decision.”
And despite all the tension in recent months over the gun permits, Hutchens said concealed weapons is “not an issue I’ve studied in terms of ideology and the data.”
That kind of answer, Bartlett said, is what drove the rebuke from the GOP committee.
“By not answering the question,” Bartlett said, “I got the sense that the committee members gave each other the look…that sends the message.”
So while Hutchens has often said she isn’t a politician, that’s how GOP committee members saw her, adroitly skipping a tough question.
Yet Hutchens said it’s not that complicated.
“I don’t think I’m a classic politician in that I’ve taken a stand that in all likelihood can harm me.”
As usual, Hutchens said she’s comfortable letting voters judge her fate.
But the next stop is the full Republican Central Committee on April 20 at the Hyatt hotel in Irvine, which is a public meeting.
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DENA BUNIS, Washington bureau chief, 202-628-6381 or dbunis@ocregister.com
BRIAN JOSEPH, Sacramento correspondent, 916-449-6046 or bjoseph@ocregister.com
JENNIFER MUIR, County government reporter, 714-796-7813 or jmuir@ocregister.com
JOEL WALSH, Washington bureau intern, 202-628-6381 or jwalsh@ocregister.com
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Maybe this little special interest group hasn’t figured it out yet. They are not going to strong arm this Sheriff into doing their bidding. Keep your integrity Sheriff Hutchens, you have my vote.
Matt H.
If you are who I think you are, you and your boss are no doubt vying to be her political consultants when she runs for election next year–much like when you were former Sheriff Carona’s consultants. Don’t you guys learn from the past??
Kudos to the Resolution Committee of the OC Republican Party. It’s time they stand for conservative principles again. I hope this is a new beginning to once again adhere to the platform of the California Republican Party.
Sheriff Hutchens you have my vote as well. This is yet another example of why I left the Republican Party.
Great news…GOP finally strikes a blow against “Blue Helicopter Thinking,” examples posted here:
http://www.worldexaminer.com/worldexaminer/blue_helicopter_thinking/
“And despite all the tension in recent months over the gun permits, Hutchens said concealed weapons is ‘not an issue I’ve studied in terms of ideology and the data.’”
Matt H., how do you call this integrity? She’s made a policy stance on something she hasn’t even studied. Is that how you want our county leaders to make decisions on policy?
Finally the GOP taking a stand! We don’t need LA policies in OC. The facts speak for themselves… Less crime if people are packing!
Good job Sheriff! Stand up for the law, it is a good change for that department. The ultra right wingers are merely leftovers from a day gone by. Americans want their leaders to lead from the middle, so let these right”wing nuts” shoot themselves in the foot.
I want the decision to be made based on the law NOT on her ideology! She is not a lawmaker she is supposed to be a law ENFORCER. I wish we didn’t elect sheriffs - that takes the criteria from law enforcement quals to ass-kissing abilities. I know politics can’t be take completely out of it when government bodies appoint but I feel police chiefs are better overall then the sheriffs. As for the issue of concealed weapons permits - I think the issuance should be based on REAL NEED not vanity or perceived needs or wants. And before you get all riled up - I am a gun owner and believer in the right to bear arms. I am also a NRA member who believes in RESPONSIBLE gun ownership and use!
Shame on Allan Bartlett and Bruce Whitaker for thinking they’re better than your average citizen, and hats off to the Sheriff for holding to the letter of the law.
Hey Bartlett and Whitaker, want to carry a concealed weapon? Have your bosses sponsor legislation to change the states CCW laws so it provides ‘equal protection under the law”.
Good job, GOP. This sheriff is attempting to impose a leftist liberal gun policy in a conservative county and that is unacceptable. Without the support of the OC GOP, this appointed sheriff has no chance of becoming an elected sheriff. My only regret is that I’m moving to the Free State of Texas later this year and I won’t get to cast a vote against her in 2010! (Although my move was motivated by the state’s increasing taxes and handout programs for illegals rather than Hutchens’ fascist gun policies.)
Dear GOP Cowboys,
Please check your guns at the door, and leave them there. We now have a 9-1-1 system that works well, and the Orange Fields are gone. Were a big boy County now, not Mayberry anymore..Grow up and get over it. ..Good for Hutchens
For you easy chair commentators, this issue is much greater than the second ammendment. If you would get off your hindquarters and do a little homework you would understand the real issue.. in the mean time, your comments are unfounded as iare the sheriffs.
Know Em All, walk down 4th Street in Santa Ana at 8PM and then say that. You might want to pre-call 911, I hear the response is slow compared to a bullet or a stab wound.
I am a longtime OC resident and homeowner who is not a Republican. However, I cannot trust a sheriff who obviously does not trust the citizens of her newly adopted county.
I’ve never had a CCW and am not sure I’d apply for one, even if I thought it might be granted. I do however, know several CCW holders. They are very thoughtful on the subject, pro law enforcement, very well trained (better than many LE officers that I know) and are very aware of the responsibility that comes with carrying. In revoking these people’s permits, it appears that Sheriff Hutchins has inappropriately taken a lot of leeway interpreting and possibly violating the law, that will now cost the county big bucks to defend her actions.
Seeing how Hutchins learned the ropes in Los Angeles, I have to wonder if she’s not trying to quietly institute a “pay for play” CCW policy like that of LA’s Lee Baca, where celebrity fundraisers for the sheriff are easily granted CCW and the regular folks are SOL.
Bottom line…I’d really prefer to have a sheriff who respects the citizens, one who consistently and equally enforces law for both the regular citizens and the wealthy/influential, and one who obeys the law herself/himself. I’m sorry to say that I simply do not trust our recently appointed sheriff and would whole heartedly back a recall effort.
- JD
Ted, the problem with REAL NEED is you don’t know you REALLY need it until you REALLY need it. Most of the time by that point it’s REALLY too late. At that point, if you’re still able, you call our good 9-1-1 as Know Em All suggested so the police can come and pick up the pieces. We have a good bus system too. Does Know Em All ride the bus, or does he exercise the option to drive his own car?
Her failure to answer very specific questions makes it clear to me that appointed Sheriff Sandra Hutchens is anti self-defense…
She’s been nothing but erratic and secretive since being appointed to office.
Anti Self Defense, erratic and secretive… Not what I want from a Sheriff…
Joe. Having been Bruce’s designated driver all day Saturday I would say that he did not bring a concealed weapon into my car. In fact as Bruce does not own a gun I am suggesting that he get a Gatling gun and place it on his front porch after this debate to protect his family.
On a serious note, in his presentation Saturday morning he told the committee that he does not own a weapon.
If she answered the question “Are the other Sheriffs in CA breaking the law when they use personal protection as good cause?” her argument of “following the law” would be thrown out the window. Put up any ideology against baseless facts, misdirection, and smokescreens and you will lose an argument all day long.
The Sheriff states that CCW without a license is illegal in CA and that license makes it an exception to the law. Sheriff, guess what, 38 of the 40 states that are shall-issue also have laws that prevent people from carrying concealed without a CCW. It’s there to punish criminals, NOT law abiding citizens. Good article Norberto!
Most of the people who received CCW licenses did not know Carona, as was apparent from the Nov 13 meeting and from OC Register investigations. They had a legitimate need for carrying based on their good cause, which was still stricter than 40 counties in CA. Of the 95 or so people that had CCWs that contributed to Carona, how many of those were issued “illegally”? I doubt none of them were issued “illegally” because every Sheriff can say what good cause is acceptable. Almost 70% of the counties in CA accept “personal protection” as that good cause. Hmm, that seems like an overwhelming majority to me. Not even Carona issued for “personal protection.” Is this still not considered “following the law” by Appointed-Sheriff Hutchens?
My opinion is that she is a closet LA County liberal hiding out in OC trying to make it like LA and please her old boss, Baca. She is very anti-self defense, irrational, erratic, and way out of touch with the citizens of OC.
Good for the OC GOP!!!!
This Appointed Sheriff admitted that she changed a (Republican values based) CCW policy on a whim! One that was working for all parties involved. Not only did she change it, but she made it her number 1 priority to do so days after her appointment.
She then admitted in front of everybody it is not something she has given much thought or research into. It is obvious she has based this radical move on her own ideology and is showing off for her LA Cronies!
She is erratic and has not once come close to the transparency she said would be her number 1 priority!!!
The OC GOP is doing the right thing for all Republicans and voters of this Red County!
Is it 2010 yet?????
When seconds count the police are only minutes away.
I’ve heard that a lot but never really thought about it. Since the police have no direct cause to protect me, who will? Santa Claus?
No, I will protect myself. Orange County is wonderfully crime free and some of that credit goes to the various LEOs but there should be no difference between me inside with a gun and me outside concealing a gun. My ability to protect myself should not end at the door stop..
Isn’t the real problem that we just do not have any faith in our Justice system? If we did, then we could just let everyone that wanted a gun to have a gun. If a person committed a crime with a gun, they would be punished accordingly. Obviously, a person that carries a gun but never commits a crime with it is not a problem to our society.
On the other hand, a handgun is the simplest, most practical tool for protecting our personal safety( Liberty). If you think you need one…you be the judge; it should not be Sheriff Hutcheons that will not arrive at the scene until the need is over.
“Our right to self defense is in the sheriff’s hands.”
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I’d like to hear even one example of someone with a CCW in Orange County that has EVER defended themselves with their weapon. I’m guessing that there are no such examples.
Sheriff Hutchens is doing her job as outlined by the state constitution. All the second-guessing by the GOP and others is simply interference and posturing for publicity. No legally-owned weapons have been confiscated; some individuals just can’t carry them around like junior G-men anymore unless they can provide suitable justification. IMO opinion, that’s called sound law enforcement.
Allen i wish you all the best, a shining star in the gop.
So, what is the GOP going to do about it ? The law is in the Sheriff’s favor and her fate is in the electorate’s hands. Where does the failed OC GOP come in? Hollow political grandstanding by washed-up old fudds from the 50s-60s. Don’t go away mad, Lincoln Club, just go away.
If you make gun laws tougher, you disarm the law abiding citizens and it gives more power to the criminals. Because criminals always operate outside of the law.
Outstanding work Sheriff. Continue to do what is right, not what is popular, or easy. You have earned my vote.