
As sheriff, I took an oath to support the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Georgia. I intend to keep that oath. I am encouraging you to stand firm on this issue and keep your oath of supporting the Constitution as well. Our citizens both need and expect us to represent them in this issue. It has been very clearly relayed to me in speaking with the people of my community that it is not the will of the citizens I serve to have their rights infringed upon by any level of government.
I am already aware of many “law enforcement officials” who are being enlisted to express their support of an infringement of the Second Amendment. I expect that most, if not all, of these “law enforcement officials” will prove to be nothing more than appointed figureheads and, therefore, only capable of declaring publicly the words and positions of their superiors for fear of losing their positions. I was present when Georgia’s Sheriffs, who serve only the citizens who elect them, were given an opportunity to weigh in on the issue. The statement they agreed to make to the world was clear and direct: they will stand by their oath!
I want to be very clear so that my position is understood. As the duly-elected Sheriff of Towns County, Georgia, I have no duty, nor obligation, and cannot be compelled to enforce federal law. I will, as my oath requires, aggressively oppose any state or federal legislation that attempts to take away any of the natural rights guaranteed under the Constitution to the law-abiding citizens I serve. I will exercise the full authority of the Office of Sheriff in defending all of the Constitutional rights of each and every citizen of Towns County, Georgia, “so help me God!” – - Sheriff Chris Clinton, Towns County Georgia