On February 23, 2023, the Utah Sheriff’s Association made a statement about the constitution and individuals’ rights to bear arms. The press release is signed by all 29 county sheriffs currently service offices in Utah.
All 29 Sheriffs in Utah have issued a statement reaffirming their oaths to the Constitutions of the United States and Utah. They titled this statement, “THE CONSTITUTION & INDIVIDUALS’ RIGHTS TO BEAR ARMS.” Among other things, this statement said, “TheDeclaration of Independence acknowledges the existence of certain truths and that these truths are ‘self-evident,’ ‘unalienable,’ and ‘endowed by the creator.’”
Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith was included in the signatures on the statement.
Text of statement
THE CONSTITUTION & INDNIDUALS’ RIGHTS TO BEAR ARMS
Prompted by increasing public concern to safeguard constitutional rights, we, the elected Sheriffs of Utah, solemnly reaffirm our sworn oaths to ” … support, obey, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Utah …. “
We humbly serve as the chief law enforcement officers of the 29 counties of the great State of Utah. As such, we publicly reassert our individual and collective duty to defend all the constitutional rights of our citizens.
The Declaration of Independence acknowledges the existence of certain truths, including that all individuals are created equal. It further declares these truths to be “self-evident”, “unalienable”, and “endowed by the Creator”. Thus, Providence is the source of unalienable rights, and the Constitution and those sworn to uphold it are protectors of those rights.
With our fellow Utahans, we recognize the Constitution not only as the founding document that establishes the structure of our government, but in regard to the Bill of Rights-the first Ten Amendments-it is the Guarantor of individual rights and the Limiter of federal government power. The Constitution is the Supreme law of the land, and all legislation and government action must comply strictly with it.
We recognize the Legislature as the body responsible for enacting laws and the Judiciary as the official interpreters of the law. As Sheriffs, it is our duty to enforce laws. Enforcing the law is a responsibility we seek to fulfill carefully, with respect and compassion for others and with unwavering protection of individual constitutional rights. We also acknowledge our obligation to safeguard the lives of our law enforcement and corrections officers as they serve and protect our communities.
We appreciate the Legislature, our Governor and other Executive Officials, and the Judiciary for working to uphold the Constitution. We obviously have separate and distinct functions but must be united in our respect for the role of the citizenry, the rule of law, and our enumerated responsibilities.
One of the Sheriffs’ most critical duties is preserving the public peace. In accomplishing this mission, we have many capable partners. On a regular basis, state, local and federal law enforcement officers assist one another in ensuring the safety of Utahans. All these officers have taken oaths to uphold the Constitution, and in our experience, nearly all of them work to meticulously adhere to the requirements of the Constitution.
We currently have a significant body of law to help maintain the balance between ensuring the safety of the community and protecting individual rights. We believe that as a State, we should be circumspect of new legislation, resolutions, rules, or executive orders, particularly those from the federal government, which may infringe upon individuals’ constitutional rights.
As members of the human family, we value the sanctity of life. We live in a time when unlawful violence is commonplace, and along with the victims and survivors of violence, we recognize these tragedies to be irrational, callous, and infuriating. Some individuals seek to use any means possible to injure or destroy life or property. While potential safety concerns continue to exist, we encourage citizens to refuse to give into fear tactics-those meant to confuse and cause chaos. Rather, we seek to be united as Americans and Utahans, to care for one another, and to insure preparedness and safety in our places of worship and learning, in our homes and places of recreation and business.
As your elected Sheriffs, we humbly report that we are working diligently to prevent and prepare for potential violence or disaster. In doing so, we feel strongly that the focus of these efforts must be on the perpetrator and properly leading through the potential incidents. It is not necessary or wise to focus on the inanimate weapon, instrument, or tool of the crime. We ask for your support in ensuring these principles are discussed further and applied to any upcoming legislation.
In addition, citizens are a vital part of preserving the importance of constitutional authority given we each shoulder a common obligation to ensure the constitutional legacy provided by our progenitors is passed intact to our children and grandchildren. Our resilient constitutional foundation has existed for 236 years, the oldest still in force today. Many countries with written constitutions have patterned theirs after ours. Our future generations need the constitutional foundation given to us in order to experience the same freedoms and happiness we have enjoyed.
Importantly, the Second Amendment of our divinely inspired Constitution clearly states” … the right of the people to keep and bear Arms shall not be infringed.” We hereby recognize a significant principle underlying the Second Amendment: the right to keep and bear arms is indispensable to the existence of a free people.
As your elected Sheriffs, we individually and collectively pledge to do everything within our power to steadfastly protect the Second Amendment and all other individual rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
We understand the destructive influences currently existing in our country will only relent when women and men everywhere genuinely care for each other. We must rely on Providence and care deeply about preserving the Constitution and its freedoms in order to be a strong and prosperous people.
We invite and encourage the citizens of our respective counties, as well as citizens across the State, to join us in following the respectful, peaceful, and orderly processes established by the Constitution for protecting individual rights and ensuring a prosperous future for all Americans and Utahans.
May God see fit to continue to bless the citizens of the United States of America and the great State of Utah.
Faithfully yours,
The Utah Sheriffs
Mike Kieffer – Editor-in-Chief, Cedar Valley Sentinel
Mike Kieffer is a dynamic leader and community advocate based in Eagle Mountain, Utah. He serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Cedar Valley Sentinel, a local publication dedicated to informing, inspiring, and elevating the Cedar Valley community through honest and accurate journalism. With a passion for fostering connections, Kieffer has made it his mission to highlight local businesses, provide reliable news, and support community development.
Beyond his editorial role, Kieffer is the owner of Lake Mountain Media, LLC, a company specializing in media and communications, and the co-owner of Quail Run Farms, which focuses on sustainable farming and community engagement. He also actively contributes to the local economy and culture as a member of the Eagle Mountain Chamber of Commerce.
Kieffer’s dedication extends to preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the Cedar Valley area. He often participates in community-centered events and media, including podcasts that explore the unique aspects of life in the region. Through his varied endeavors, he remains a steadfast advocate for the growth and enrichment of the local community.