A8 East Oregonian NEWS Saturday, June 22, 2019 Oregon sheriffs make a break from the past about delivering on their promise. While sheriffs in other states were refusing to enforce new laws this win- ter, a raft of new gun laws were making their way through the Oregon Legis- lature. But this time, Ore- gon’s sheriffs were quiet. That may be because in the past few years things have changed in parts of rural Oregon. “I think the militia thing has really dropped off,” said Zanni. “That became huge when President Obama was first elected.” He says his constitu- ents are still worried about new gun laws but he’s noticed less vitriol and more patience. Gun owners spent eight years worrying that the Obama administration was coming for their guns. But no one came for their guns. “I think over the years that it’s kind of like … the world hasn’t come to an end, so it’s not quite as big a deal,” Zanni said. This year the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association changed how it approaches the state government as well. “I think we have made a concerted effort to have a good relationship with all the legislators,” said exec- utive director John Bishop. “Going in and beating heads and saying ‘You’re stupid and we’re not going to do this’ doesn’t work anymore.” He says sheriffs have the expertise that can improve legislation. But they have to be in the room to share it. Bishop also talks to his counterparts in other states. “Now as far as Colorado and Washington, I think they’re just sort of a little bit behind this,” he said. Bishop says he thinks other states will come to the same realization as well. County sheriffs change approach to gun laws By JONATHAN LEVINSON Oregon Public Broadcasting COQUILLE — Early this past June, Coos County Sheriff Craig Zanni was in his Coquille office field- ing an email from a sover- eign citizen. The sender was claiming that the Oregon state government doesn’t have grounds to operate because it can’t provide him with a copy of the 1859 state constitution. Sovereign citizens reject the legitimacy of the state and federal government. All of it: taxation, currency, the courts and, of course, gun laws. Zanni says a significant number of people in his OPB photo by Jonathan Levinson southern Oregon county, population 69,000, hold Coos County Sheriff Craig Zanni, center, speaks with sheriff department dispatchers on June 6 in Coquille. Zanni says a signif- similar views. Except for icant number of people in his southern Oregon county, population 69,000, hold sovereign citizen views. Sovereign citizens the rare exception, he says reject the legitimacy of the state and federal government. All of it: taxation, currency, the courts and, of course, gun laws. Except for the rare exception, Zanni says they’re not dangerous. they’re not dangerous. “Most of them are reason- able people,” he said. “Like “The sheriff is the most explained Shortell. “States Northwest, the actual and Idaho. most people, I just want to powerful law enforcement create them, states could makeup of the electorate has “I think what we’re see- live my life and be left alone, officer in the country, no eliminate them, states can changed too. As the militia ing now … is people mov- so I understand that.” one supersedes his jurisdic- redraw their boundaries and movement gained traction ing to these places because Along with national mili- tion,” Mack falsely claimed as such, they are treated as in the 1970s and 1980s, the their perception of these tia organizations like the in an interview with the simply a part of the state.” Pacific Northwest was an places is they are over- Oath Keepers and Three Oath Keepers militia. “The attractive destination with whelmingly white, over- Voters eat this up Percenters (whose President of the its vast, sparsely populated whelmingly conservative,” A lot of this is about pol- and affordable land. said Beda. core beliefs overlap United States cannot Beda says if enough significantly with tell your sheriff what itics. Sheriffs have to win “Specifically, a lot of elections if they want to these groups looked to … white conservative Califor- sovereign citizens), to do.” their ideology has Portland State keep their jobs. And in rural places like Eastern Oregon, nians move to rural coun- experienced a resur- University profes- counties with small pop- Eastern Washington and ties because they believe it sor of political sci- ulations, a politician can’t Idaho because land was rel- reflects their values, then it gence since President ence Chris Shor- afford to ignore organized atively cheap,” says Steven will ultimately reflect their Barack Obama was tell says that is at voters. Zanni Beda, assistant professor of values. first elected in 2008. Their outsized odds with the U.S. “A small group of very history at the University of A new approach political influence was on Constitution. engaged voters can have an Oregon. “So they could buy Last November, Dem- full display in recent years “Most notably the outsized impact,” Shortell up land and build their own ocrat Kate Brown won her when Oregon sheriffs supremacy clause,” said said, “particularly in elec- bunkers.” grabbed national headlines Shortell, “Which lays out tions that are what we would Fast forward to the early re-election bid for governor for refusing to enforce pro- that when there’s a con- call off cycle.” 2000s, and families are and Democrats won super- posed state and federal gun flict between federal law Constituents were cheer- leaving California in search majorities in both houses laws, a concept plucked right and state law, federal law is ing them on when Oregon of lower housing prices and of the Oregon Legislature. sheriffs said they wouldn’t cost of living. Many are Brown and many legislators supreme.” from the militia playbook. But as sheriffs in other But Shortell says these enforce the 2015 back- again looking to rural parts had campaigned on passing states try the same thing, sheriffs are right on one nar- ground check bill. But while of the Pacific Northwest, stricter gun laws, and soon it played well with voters, particularly Eastern Oregon after taking office they set Oregon sheriffs say they row point. “That doesn’t mean that the law doesn’t actually have already realized that the existence of federal laws involve sheriffs. strategy doesn’t work. Sheriffs dig in can’t constrain the actions of In Oregon, if you want to In 2013, eight Ore- state officials,” said Shortell. sell a handgun to a friend, gon sheriffs, led by Linn So if the federal govern- you go to a gun store, pay County Sheriff Tim Muel- ment bans certain kinds of $35 for a background check ler, sent letters to the Obama firearms, that law would with the state police — not administration saying they apply to each state and all of the local sheriff — and wouldn’t enforce new fed- its counties. you’re on your way. Unless 2019 eral gun laws. And while there may be the gun is stolen or one of “Nor will I permit the some wiggle room in the you is a felon, the sheriff enforcement of any uncon- state-federal relationship, wouldn’t be involved. stitutional regulations or that isn’t the case with the Political migration orders by federal officers county-state relationship. In some parts of rural within the borders of Linn “Counties are entirely County Oregon,” Mueller a construct of states,” Oregon and the Pacific wrote. Two years later, in 2015, the Oregon Legislature Excludes Hybrid passed a bill requiring back- ground checks for private gun sales. And again, Ore- gon sheriffs dug in. for 60 Months So it was already a well- LEASE A NEW 2019 OR $1,500 Cash Back worn path when sheriffs in Washington and Colo- Double Cab SR5 Excludes TRD Pro rado started making similar assertions earlier this year. mo. 4X4 $ Federal law is supreme 36 mos. 2019 The false idea that the Security $ 1,999 $ Deposit Due at Signing sheriff reigns supreme was Excludes Hybrid popularized by Consti- tutional Sheriffs and the Over 10,000 lbs Peace Officers Association of towing capacity founder and former Arizona Sheriff Richard Mack. 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