Liberty Minute November 18 2013

Last May 21, Idaho State Legislator Mark Patterson sent a letter to Ada County Sheriff Gary Raney demanding information on the sheriff?s potentially illegal lobbying efforts against a gun rights bill he opposed. The following day Raney sent Patterson a letter revoking his concealed carry license, claiming that Patterson had lied on his application by failing to disclose a withheld judgment on a felony charge nearly 40 years ago.

A withheld judgment is not a conviction, and once a term of probation ends the charge is expunged from the record. An applicant who has a withheld judgment is eligible to receive a concealed carry license, and is not legally required to disclose the matter in any case.

Patterson was accused of serious crimes four decades ago, but he was acquitted. Now 61 years old, Patterson is a successful businessman and a devoted family man.

Raney?s revocation of Patterson?s permit was clearly retaliatory. He disclosed confidential information obtained through an FBI background check to the Idaho Statesman newspaper ? which is illegal.

Ada County cannot have a sheriff who behaves like a commissar. Gary Raney must be recalled from office and prosecuted for his crimes.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.