Does Tim Mueller Want to Start a New Civil War Over Gun Laws?

Oregon Sheriff will not abide by any future federal laws regulating 'certain magazines and firearms'.

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Tim Mueller, the Sheriff of Linn County, Oregon, has issued an open letter proclaiming that he will consciously and conspicuously defy the laws of the United States if they change in a way that he disagrees with. It isn't clear exactly what prompted the seemingly defiant and unruly letter other than the current pro-gun lobby frenzy underway, but people are sure talking about it in social media.

First of all, let's just get this out of the way. A sheriff is a politician, they are elected, they are political figures. The truth is that almost every son of a gun on two legs breaks the law. To imply that people are perfectly legal is ridiculous, I don't even know what the sheriff is talking about. Guys with guns are dangerous regardless of whether or not they have a criminal record. In some cases it just means they haven't been caught.

The citizens of Linn County are not saints and it seems Mueller is intent on making sure people can keep weapons and accessories that are strictly designed to erase human life. Nearly all of the weapons that are criticized in this country are not rifles for hunting game, they are expressly designed to hunt people, like those little kids in Connecticut.

I find it interesting that this same county has all kinds of respect for federal law when it comes to enforcing marijuana laws and hassling bikers. That's right, guns are good, and motorcycles bad in Linn County, Oregon. (Charitable Biker Event Incites 'Criminal Profiling' from Police).

Sheriff or Secessionist?

On a personal level, Tim Mueller is a nice guy and he is responsive to media, mostly, and his agency is not one known for excessive corruption or flagrant police brutality. This is good. Nor is Linn County a place where people are constantly using guns to defend themselves from criminals, as Mueller seems to imply. It is a nice, fairly quiet place where mostly blue collar workers work in places like the Teledine Wah Chang factory that marks Albany along I-5.

Mueller's letter is below in its entirety, it is a Facebook sensation with almost 30,000 shares. People love the paranoid approach, along the way implying that their guns are about to be taken when there is no talk of this, and no discussions in the federal government over taking the guns away from citizens. My impression is that officials are reading the writing on the wall and simply saying "holy shit" because these mass shootings are out of control. They want to restrict certain weapons, and related items, but there is no talk of taking your grandpa's gun away.

I am shocked that a comparatively low level politician in a semi-rural Oregon county would feel the need to make these statements. I think it is clear from the comments that Mueller is widely supported, and it sounds like the opening volleys of a new U.S. civil war. I sure hope it's worth it, though I have my doubts.

With almost 25 years of experience on the west coast and worldwide as a television news producer, photojournalist, reporter and assignment editor, Tim King is Salem-News.com's Executive News Editor. His background includes covering the war in Afghanistan in 2006 and 2007, and reporting from the Iraq war in 2008. Tim is a former U.S. Marine who follows stories of Marines and Marine Veterans.

Tim holds awards for reporting, photography, writing and editing from traditional mainstream news agencies like The Associated Press and Electronic Media Association; he also holds awards from the National Coalition of Motorcyclists, the Oregon Confederation of Motorcycle Clubs; and was presented with a 'Good Neighbor Award' for his reporting, by the The Red Cross.

Tim's years as a Human Rights reporter have taken on many dimensions; he has rallied for a long list of cultures and populations and continues to every day, with a strong and direct concentration on the 2009 Genocide of Tamil Hindus and Christians in Sri Lanka. As a result of his long list of reports exposing war crimes against Tamil people, Tim was invited to be the keynote speaker at the FeTNA (Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America) Conference in Baltimore, in July 2012. This is the largest annual gathering of North American Tamils; Tim addressed more than 3000 people and was presented with a traditional Sri Lanka ‘blessed garland’ and a shawl as per the tradition and custom of Tamil Nadu

In a personal capacity, Tim has written 2,026 articles as of March 2012 for Salem-News.com since the new format designed by Matt Lintz was launched in December, 2005. Serving readers with news from all over the globe, Tim's life is literally encircled by the endless news flow published by Salem-News.com, where more than 100 writers contribute stories from 23+ countries and regions.

Tim specializes in writing about political and military developments worldwide; and maintains that the label 'terrorist' is ill placed in many cases; specifically with the LTTE Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, where it was used as an excuse to slaughter people by the tens of thousands; and in Gaza, where a trapped population lives at the mercy of Israel's destructive military war crime grinder. At the center of all of this, Tim pays extremely close attention to the safety and welfare of journalists worldwide.

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Pete Yost January 25, 2013 3:06 pm (Pacific time)

It has always been about handguns. Assault rifles are just a decoy to try and get their anti-gun foot in the door. Once they get a ban on AWs then they will use the same reasons to go after handguns. Below---NONE OVER #7 ROUNDS: John Kennedy killed with a 5 shot bolt action rifle. Medgar Evers, shot with a 5 shot 1917 bolt action Enfield rifle. Martin Luther King, shot with a 4 shot Remington 760 pump action Gamemaster rifle. Bobby Kennedy with a .22 Iver Johnson Cadet revolver. George Wallace wounded with a 5 shot Charter Arms .38spl revolver. Howard Johnsons shooter killed nine, wounded thirteen with a 4 shot RUGER .44 mag Deerslayer rifle. Gerald Ford attacked with a 7 shot 1911 semi auto. Edmond OK post office with two National Guard 7 shot 1911 pistols. Ronald Reagan and Jim Brady with an RG-14 .22 revolver. What do they all have in common? "NONE over 7 rounds", yet after each one came a cry of panic to ban all of them.

Rick January 23, 2013 2:19 am (Pacific time)

Tim...you are a dipshit

Anonymous January 19, 2013 10:14 am (Pacific time)

This Oregon Sheriff has been joined by many more, including the Washington County Sheriff. This is the 2nd most populas county in Oregon, and is where the NIKE Corporation is headquartered. It went for Obama 51 to 49 percent. These anti-Obama actions are all over the country, in every state, and growing. For example this recent story: "Federal agents would face arrest under Alaska gun bill Anchorage Daily News ^ | 2013-House Speaker Mike Chenault says federal law enforcement officers should be arrested in Alaska if they attempt to enforce any future federal law banning personal possession of assault rifles or large ammunition clips or if they attempt to register any Alaska firearm. On Wednesday, just as President Obama was announcing new firearm-control initiatives in the aftermath of the child murders at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn., Chenault offered his countermeasure in House Bill 69. His bill would extend the reach of a law passed in 2010 by asserting that any firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition possessed by anyone in Alaska was not subject to federal law. The 2010 law only covered firearms and ammo manufactured in Alaska and it already was of dubious constitutional validity, though it's never been challenged because no firearm is known to have been manufactured here since then. In addition to adding the word "possession" to the 2010 law, Chenault's bill declares that any "federal statute, regulation, rule or order" taking effect after passage of House Bill 69 would be invalid in Alaska if it restricted semi-automatic firearms or magazines. The bill also declares invalid any future registration scheme involving firearms, magazines or other firearm accessory. Any federal agent who attempted to enforce those future federal laws would be subject to prosecution by the state on misdemeanor charges. (Excerpt) Read more at adn.com ...

Anonymous January 18, 2013 10:17 pm (Pacific time)

"Poll Shows NRA More Popular Than President Obama." "Despite constant hammering by the national news media, the National Rifle Association has a favorability rating of 64 percent in the latest Gallup survey, much higher than President Obama's rating of 49 percent." http://www.gallup.com/poll/124922/Presidential- Approval-Center.aspx / http://newsbusters.org/blogs/randy-hall/2013/01/18/poll-shows-nra-more-popular-president-obama-usual-media-ignore

Anonymous January 17, 2013 10:51 am (Pacific time)

Firearms/guns are not going away, in fact they are increasing in number on record levels every day. When you have various leaders like Obama saying they are not leading towards confiscation, then why do the Governors of New York and Illinois call for confiscation? Here are some recent headlines dealing with this topic as it relates to more elected officials taking Obama and his regime on: "60 percent of young Americans plan to purchase firearms, study reveals." http://www.campusreform.org/blog/?ID=4576 "Citizens File Articles of Impeachment Against Obama" http://www.infowars.com/citizens-file-article-of-impeachment-against-obama/ // "Second GOP congressman suggests impeachment over executive action for gun control" /http://dailycaller.com/2013/01/16/second-gop-congressman-suggests-impeachment-over-executive-action-for-gun-control/ //Former U.S. Attorney General Calls For Impeachment If Executive Orders Issued On Gun Control. http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2013/01/15/Former-US-Attorney-General-Meese-Calls-For-Obama%20impeachment-If-Executive-Order-On-Gun-Control // "Flashback: Mitt Romney Warns NRA Against an ‘Unrestrained’ Second-term Obama" / http://www.enumclaw.com/news/national-news/flashback-mitt-romney-warns-nra-against-an-unrestrained-second-term-obama/

Silence Dogood January 17, 2013 10:35 am (Pacific time)

Eroding of the Bill of Rights and U.S. Constitution is an imperceptible process when done by Executive Orders of President(s), incrementally. Some issues, like "gun-control" deserve a Constitutional Amendment process, period. That the Sheriff raises the situation, of CONGRESS, being involved, remember that: The Constitutional Amendment Process is LAID OUT!: The authority to amend the Constitution of the United States is derived from Article V of the Constitution. After Congress proposes an amendment, the Archivist of the United States, who heads the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), is charged with responsibility for administering the ratification process under the provisions of 1 U.S.C. 106b. The Archivist has delegated many of the ministerial duties associated with this function to the Director of the Federal Register. Neither Article V of the Constitution nor section 106b describe the ratification process in detail. The Archivist and the Director of the Federal Register follow procedures and customs established by the Secretary of State, who performed these duties until 1950, and the Administrator of General Services, who served in this capacity until NARA assumed responsibility as an independent agency in 1985. The Constitution provides that an amendment may be proposed either by the Congress with a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate >>>>> OR

John W. Tobin January 16, 2013 3:21 pm (Pacific time)

“But this is about a sheriff saying he isn't subject to the laws of the land and it sounds like a dangerous game to me.” OK! You want to bring up “the law of the land”! Just where in the “law of the land” (The Constitution) does it give a President the right to arbitrarily usurp the “law of the land”? Nowhere! I would change one word in your statement; But this is about a PRESIDENT saying he isn't subject to the laws of the land and it sounds like a dangerous game to me. The Sheriff is not taking Rights from anyone. He is protecting We The people from those who are. Treason comes from someone who does not live by their Oath of Office, NOT from someone who lives by their Oath of Office.

Anonymous January 16, 2013 3:11 pm (Pacific time)

Tim to update you being that Salem-News is located in Marion County, Oregon, many more Oregon county Sheriffs (over 7 and counting) have come on board with the Linn Cty. Sheriff, including the Marion Cty. Sheriff, where the state capitol Salem is located. Then if some of you find it difficult to imagine that the U.S government could start arresting people in mass and putting us in some kind of "concentration camp"...well FDR (Obama likes to be compared to FDR and Lincoln) did that to tens of thousands of Japanese-Americans not too long ago. There have also many many other federal incursions into taking away freedom from innocents since then, and many deaths. To suggest that these elected officials rejecting Obama's actual unlawful 2nd Amend. interpretation is treason is absurd as per reacting to an executive order that Congress has not passed. What does come under Treason is when you aid and abet those who have sworn to destroy us. Here is something else to think about re: the power in the Whitehouse, and how did this individual with such a record get into office: "FLASHBACK: In 1999, Obama wouldn’t support tougher prosecution for school shooters." In 1999, State Senator Barack Obama voted “present” on a bill that would require adult prosecution for discharging a gun in or near a school. That legislation came as a response to the tragic Columbine High School shooting that year. SB 759 provided that anyone 15 years of age or older charged with aggravated battery with a weapon in school or within 1,000 feet of a school would be charged as an adult. It passed the Illinois State Senate in a 52-1 vote, with 5 members voting present — including Obama. That vote followed a trend for the young lawmaker, whose controversial votes on crime legislation often raised eyebrows. A Chicago Tribune editorial even accused Obama of being a “gutless sheep” for missing a vote on crime legislation in late 1999." http://dailycaller.com/2013/01/16/flashback-in-1999-obama-wouldnt-support-tougher-prosecution-for-school-shooters/#ixzz2IAr4gR2T

Billy Bob January 16, 2013 1:58 pm (Pacific time)

I thinks guns is good, I aint givin up my gun for no pressident.

John W. Tobin January 16, 2013 1:54 pm (Pacific time)

Editor. You believe in the corporation known as United States. You do not believe in the Republic that the Founders created for us. You believe in a “central” government. And you believe that that “central” government has sovereign power to dictate to the States and We, The People. The Constitution DOES NOT give the executive the authority to RULE by executive order. It does NOT give a president (no matter what YOU or I think of him) to make "law" by executive order. Only by a change to the Second Amendment by another Amendment can any new laws be made regarding OUR Right to keep and bear arms in defense of our States from the tyranny of a central government.
Beyond the Second Amendment, We The People have The Natural or God given Right to defend our selves, our Families and property (by any means possible) from criminal elements other than a tyrannical government. You have no more authority or right to take away my arms than I have to make you own them.

Anonymous January 16, 2013 1:47 pm (Pacific time)

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." [Referring to "Narcissistic Sociopath's" who were shunned as school kids?] ~ C.S. Lewis ~ Gingrich: 'If Gun Control Works, Chicago Ought to Be Safe' BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR ALL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES! A job for the private sector to have. HEY DJ COME ON DOWN AND I'LL SHOW YOU A WELL REGULATED AMERICAN WHO DEALS WITH MARXIST' INTERLOPERS...

Anonymous January 16, 2013 12:55 pm (Pacific time)

Thanks for the article, I feel better now. Just wondering how Mr. Mueller feels about Obamas opinions on armed guards in the schools. Does he know anything at all about microwave weapons... that they can melt that Usi from his hot hot hands...G%

John W. Tobin January 16, 2013 12:35 pm (Pacific time)

"...defiant and unruly letter...". "...will consciously and conspicuously defy the laws of the United States if they change in a way that he disagrees with." Good for him!!! Defiant letter? YES! Unruly letter? NO! Disagrees with? Everyone who is not a traitor to the Constitution and The Republic should disagree with the dictator Obama's use of executive orders to rule this country. And you and people like you are enabling him. And it is NOT Sheriff Tim Mueller who will “Start a New Civil War Over Gun Laws”. It is the usurper Obama and the federal government who started this. So don't blame Sheriff Mueller for doing his job. He is a true Patriot! Blame yourself and people like you for not doing theirs.

Bob Burdick Kitzhaber January 16, 2013 11:41 am (Pacific time)

It appears Tim that you're completely right, screw that redneck!

Anonymous January 16, 2013 11:34 am (Pacific time)

the same problem will always exist in that cenario because the criminals will still have those weapons, there are too many already on the streets, and if we say ok, take these assault weapons, the average guy that bought on because it was cool, wont have it but the crack dealer still will, how is it going to work,,??

Anonymous January 16, 2013 8:12 am (Pacific time)

Your an idiot, just about any rifle round will penetrate a level 3 vest!! Again talking about something that you have no knowledge of just makes you look even stupider!!

Rick January 16, 2013 7:39 am (Pacific time)

Give up your car because of all the old or drunk, crazy, angry and the list goes on, of people that that get behind the wheel and kill others. Then I might talk about giving up my weapons because you feel they are a threat to someone.

Douglas Benson January 16, 2013 7:37 am (Pacific time)

Tim I have made it clear that anyone who supports taking our rights will find themselves deleted .It breaks my heart but this is the end of the line. As much as I enjoy Salem News and the work you do I cannot in any way support taking from the american people the ability to fight back against thier own government with force. Closing private sale rights creates a list and these lists can be used to take firearms later . I'm sorry but goodbye. Peace Douglas Benson

Tim King: Wow Doug, this sucks, I am not happy to read this and hope you will reconsider, you are entitled to your thoughts and I have always carried your comment posts and was happy to. I will miss your comments, you can always change your mind.

concerned woman & citizen for our r January 16, 2013 6:53 am (Pacific time)

you are so right sheriff mueller it's said that washington d.c. is so so ignorant.. like pawns on a chess set board... and i agree with going to the source of the problem mental illness people with violent back grounds ..... but there again there halfs to be a fair approached on this issue on those people with such issues as well not all people with mental illness are violent...

Luke Easter January 16, 2013 3:10 am (Pacific time)

Who does this guy think he is, Patrick Henry? Yep!!!

anon January 16, 2013 12:40 am (Pacific time)

"Guys with guns are dangerous regardless of whether or not they have a criminal record."

That's a very interesting sentiment. So I take it you are promoting the disarming of all militaries, the secret service and all police departments because they are all dangerous criminals who just haven't been caught yet?

Editor: Do you realize that there is a such thing as unarmed cops? Do you know there is something called peace? Take the money away from the corporate bastards and give it to the poor, then and only then will then stop killing each other and threatening innocent people. There is no equity. There is little opportunity for many people to simply work and earn a living. Thank the 1% for your problems, the same ones that bring us needless wars that we keep losing.

"My impression is that officials are reading the writing on the wall and simply saying "holy shit" because these mass shootings are out of control."

Hardly. More people were killed in 2011 with knives, or with bats/hammers or with bare hands and feet than with rifles, which includes the AR-15, that scary black .223 that the media likes to flash across your tele to make you scared. Most homicides occur over drug disputes, often among family members or acquaintances. Maybe we should make drugs illegal... er, wait. Actually, mass shootings being continuously played via the 24/7 news cycle is what leads to copy-cat crimes. They idolize the shooter and you never hear anything about the victims. Crime is down, it's been on the decline for two decades. The government is doing nothing but fear mongering and the media is party to it.

Editor: You sound so unconcerned about the victims, I guess learning to do that is step one in your world? Al of this flack so people can carry around items that instantly end a life, yeah I think it is a joke, no offense. I think worrying about this so much is such a bad sign from your side, again no offense. I just know that scared people feel like they need things like guns, the majority of Americans don't even think about it. That's just my opinion.

Criminals don't care about laws. I find it ironic that so many liberals don't want the government interfering in their private lives when it comes to gay marriage and abortion, but then when it comes to the right to own firearms or just about anything else they disagree with they clamor for the federal government to "regulate" more. And the conservatives do the exact opposite. I suppose we have lost the knowledge that this is a democratic Republic for, of and by the People and that all government exists with the authority of said People. The mainstream media has convinced everyone that the People can't be trusted and need keepers. I suppose Franklin was right. This is a Republic, if we can keep it. It doesn't appear that we can or will.

Editor: I can't believe how people like yourself love to categorize others, I suppose I am no better, but I think we are wrong for doing that. Jesus was a liberal for Christ's sake - ummm, anyway, I am not into having our right to bear arms removed, I think most people feel the same way, but the excessive flack about wanting certain types of military weapons, that is what gives people the shakes. I think this should not be such a big deal, the pro-gun folks just need to calm down, nobody is taking your gun away unless it is something that only police and military should possess. Want to know why I don't want AK's and AR-15's in the mix? Because they go right through a police vest. I don't want people to easily possess cop killing weapons, one of my biggest concerns.

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Does Tim Mueller Want to Start a New Civil War Over Gun Laws?

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