Citizens of Franklin County North Carolina,
As most of you are aware I attended a meeting at Fargo’s Restaurant in Zebulon some weeks back. The purpose of the meeting was simple, to provide clarification to the citizenry as to where your Sheriffs stand with regards to your 2nd Amendment Rights to Keep and Bear Arms. Particular interest was given to the possibility of any new Federal Laws and/or restrictions and how each Sheriff would react should such measures be taken. Since that community meeting I have received countless emails and letters from concerned citizens within Franklin County. In response to these concerns please allow me, as the Sheriff of Franklin County, to make the following declarations.
As the Sheriff of Franklin County North Carolina I have sworn an oath, as have the men and women who serve under me, to “Support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith”. When I swore to this oath it was not intended on my part to be merely ceremonious in nature. Those words have meaning. They represent the very basis of what makes our society different from so many others worldwide. We have established a form of Government which derives its powers from the governed, as is clearly stated in our Constitution. Our founding fathers recognized that each of us is born equally into this world with certain rights. These rights were put to paper in clear and concise wording for all to understand, even future generations.
The 2nd Amendment states “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a Free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” Our founding father’s words still hold true today. However there are some who would seek to “adjust” the meaning of this amendment and its purpose. The 2nd Amendment was not intended to secure the citizenry the right to hunt wild game; it was intended to assure the continuation of a Free State. Having that in mind I respectfully make the following statement.
“As the Sheriff of Franklin County North Carolina I, Jerry W Jones, will not participate in, nor enforce, any Unconstitutional Edicts, Orders or Laws handed down by any Government Body. As the highest ranking law enforcement officer within my jurisdiction I feel as though it is my duty to make this statement clear. No Law Abiding Citizen of Franklin County shall have their Constitutional Rights infringed upon. I have sworn an oath attesting to this statement and it will be honored at all times. I thank each and every one of you for your time and continued support of the Office of Sheriff.”
Sheriff Jerry W Jones