Reader “Paladin” had earlier asked if we publish a guest post by him – it can be found here: Guest Post by Paladin – a short commentary on HB135 (the NH “Run Away!” bill) sponsored by Stephen Shurtleff. Now that HB135 has passed out of committee in the NH House, he asked if this could be his follow up.
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Deputy Dawg Shurtleff, a Democrat who introduced HB 135 to repeal New Hampshire’s “stands your ground” self-defense law was endorsed yesterday by the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Rep. Dennis Fields (R) of Sanbornton and Rep. Steve Vaillancourt (R) of Manchester, joined the Dawg’s posse supporting the bill while all six “no” votes came from the other Republicans.
Deputy Dawg Shurtleff enjoys immunity from the his own bill by virtue of the fact he is a retired U.S, Marshal. He falls into the latter of the two classes of persons as defined by the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act – “ a United States federal law, enacted in 2004, that allows two classes of persons, the “qualified law enforcement officer” and the “qualified retired law enforcement officer” – to carry a concealed firearm in any jurisdiction in the United States, regardless of state or local laws, with certain exceptions. The law does not limit or change an officer’s authority within their own state or jurisdiction from carrying or to where a firearm is carried “off duty” or “on duty” under their own state law.
But it seems Deputy Dawg doesn’t think you should be allowed to protect your family and possible others. It seems instead, since he can do as he pleases, he will only provide this protection to those he chooses, his offspring and their kin. But not folks like Katherine Booth , the victim of an attempted kidnapping at gun point:
“This was the most horrific thing that has ever happened to me,” she said. “It has changed my life and world forever.” Booth’s voice trembled as she spoke of being attacked by the man sitting a few feet from her in the courtroom. Ms. Booth now owns a gun but Deputy Dawg is determined to make all the Ms. Booths criminals.
To add insult to injury, take a look at Deputy Dawg’s resume. It touts US Army (3 years), a pensioned U.S Marshal (20 years) and a NH substitute teacher when called upon. All those positions have been and continue to be paid for with our tax dollars. Kinda makes him a parasite.
When he was sworn into the Army, he took an Oath to uphold the United States Constitution; when he was sworn into the U.S. Marshals Service, he took an Oath to uphold the United States Constitution. When elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives, he took an Oath to uphold the United States Constitution and the State of New Hampshire Constitution.
He has failed to live up to these Oaths, none of which have an expiration date.
As I ride across the gently rolling plains, I have taken note there is a movement in New Hampshire and territories to introduce laws which make failure to adhere to these Oaths a crime, punishable by time in prison.
– Paladin
