To the editor:
I’m writing to express my support for Steve Hoffman for Jasper County Sheriff. Steve was born and raised right here in Jasper County, he has more than two decades of distinguished law enforcement service under his belt and he would do a fantastic job of serving the citizens of Jasper County and ensuring their safety.
He has a track record of not only dealing responsibly with tax-payer money, but actually increasing county revenue by essentially marketing the county jail to other sheriff’s departments around the state. Jasper County would certainly benefit from such innovation in these tough economic times.
But there’s something else about Steve that I’d like to talk about.
Before Iowa’s new “shall issue” gun law was passed, Jasper County was one of the worst counties in Iowa for being able to obtain a permit to carry a firearm. At the League of Women Voters forum last week, Steve pointed out that there’s no guarantee that this law will remain in place. A change in the political landscape in the Iowa Legislature could very easily result in us going back to a “may issue” law, where your right to keep and bear arms would be entirely contingent upon your local sheriff’s views concerning the Second Amendment.
Steve Hoffman is a member of the NRA, and he held a raffle a few months ago where two of the top prizes were firearms. These facts speak volumes to me about his view of the Second Amendment. He believes that every law-abiding citizen has the constitutional right to keep and bear arms. Jasper County has not had that mindset in a sheriff for many years, but this year we have the opportunity to elect just such a man.
Our state flag bears our motto: “Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” If you value maintaining your constitutional right to keep and bear arms, and if you want a sheriff who will honor and uphold that right, then I encourage you to join me in voting for Steve Hoffman for Jasper County sheriff.
Aaron Gunsaulus
Newton