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Lawrence County fiscal court

09jisaac

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Lawrence county, as of last fiscal court meeting, didn't act on their ordinance at all. They know that they have 6 months after this statute takes effect to act on it without liability. So they voted to "shelf" it.

Hogan also suggested that he challenges this statute's legitimacy. He ask the fiscal court to allow him to file suit challenging this in federal court. Unanimously it passed but the "second" was withdrew after the vote. So I don't know what is going to happen with this.

He made up scenarios of cons having guns in the court rooms and would not listen when I suggested this ordinance having no effect in there. They also brought up federal courthouses like they are similar to our courthouse. They failed to see that they have their own rules/regulations, and that they are, if I am not mistaken, just court rooms and offices for court proceedings.

Also, I brought up that this was nothing new as it took effect in '84. Hogan keeps suggesting that this is a new law, which bothers me. He also said that he asked me "nicely" not to have my gun in their. As he is perceived to have authority this held weight with the fiscal court. I did have some support from Jeff Kinzer (spelling?) and some guy I did not know though.

I am being made out as a fool in the local online newspaper, the Levisa Lazer. Since he does not bother to get anything right, I would not suggest getting your "news" from him though.

I made front page news in the Big Sandy printed newspaper too (Wednesday June 20th edition). They also did not get all of their "facts" straight. Apparently since I now have my CDWL now (It was asked if I did at the court meeting) you have to be properly trained and licensed to carry into "public" buildings.

Lastly, this past meeting started out with a "update" by Rocky Adkins (our state representative) detailing funds appropriated to Lawrence county that ended with every council member telling him how much they appreciated him. Then, as he left before the weapons ordinance was brought up, they went behind his back to challenge the legislation he helped to pass. Apparently they only appreciate him so much. The next meeting is July 16th at 9:30am if anyone wants to show up. Apparently Hogan is going to have a powerpoint presentation for the court so I "don't have to continue coming to the courthouse".

Any advice on how to proceed or support would be greatly appreciated. Do you think pursuing this would hurt our cause more than it will help it? Do you think I should write a letter to the editor of the Big Sandy to state my case and correct the article?

@KYGlockster, I would greatly appreciate that audio file. As I have informed you, I am willing to take on all financial burden for you to send the file to me. I am willing to drive up their and get that audio file if that is what you want to do. I am wanting to show everyone how "nicely" he asked us not to carry in the courthouse.
 

self preservation

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"County Attorney and Sheriff Garrett Roberts quizzed Isaac as to why he wants to come into the counrthouse packing a sidearm"
It seems you answered that very plainly. And the below quote sounds like he answered his own question.


Hogan said he does not understand why Isaac is so adamant, "There's a lot of dangerous individuals that we deal with on a daily basis especially as prosecutors and law enforcers and I just don't see allowing them to carry .40's on their side when they come to the courthouse,"


Pack a .45..lol. You have some serious dumb mother fuckkers "running the show" there. I thought I lived in an ass backwards, 1 track mind kinda town. I feel for you for having to deal with these idiots. But I also say thank you for fighting the good fight. You dont seem to be the kind of man that backs down easy. God speed to you and good luck.
 

langzaiguy

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Good job, man--keep on 'em!! I would bet the house that he doesn't bring this to federal court. I think he would actually have to get the facts straight before he goes there. If and when he does get the facts straight, I think he'll realize that he has no grounds. I think that this is all rhetoric. I think that if you keep on 'em for 6 mo., I think they'll cuss and cry but finally pass a legal ordinance in accordance with the law. I think that they'll wash their hands with the situation insinuating that they don't like it at all but they'll abide by the law. All of my "I think"s are certainly speculation; it'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
 

09jisaac

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I thank you guys for the support. It feels that I am "fighting city hall" as they put it.

The fellow that I did not know brought that up and Mike Hogan replied "Well I have a gun close in my office" (something to that effect). I think he thinks that us "underlings" shouldn't have the right to self defense but he should.

I don't understand why he thinks that a piece of paper in the records room and a couple of tin signs would stop anyone who really wants to bring a gun in from doing so. Anything dastardly that anyone would do with a firearm is already illegal. If they are willing to do that for some reason, I doubt a small weapons charge will sway them away from the idea.

I also don't think he will bring it to court. You have to have a good cause to get laws changed.

It either has to be:

1. Against the Federal Constitution or applicable federal laws.
2. Against the Kentucky Constitution or applicable state Laws.
3. Voted on and passed to amend/rid this statue to allow it.

As I don't see any laws that it is directly against, then it would have to go in front of the legislatures. Seeing that we had overwhelming support, I don't see that their is much chance.

If I had a .45, I would carry it.
 

self preservation

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I thank you guys for the support. It feels that I am "fighting city hall" as they put it.

The fellow that I did not know brought that up and Mike Hogan replied "Well I have a gun close in my office" (something to that effect). I think he thinks that us "underlings" shouldn't have the right to self defense but he should.

I don't understand why he thinks that a piece of paper in the records room and a couple of tin signs would stop anyone who really wants to bring a gun in from doing so. Anything dastardly that anyone would do with a firearm is already illegal. If they are willing to do that for some reason, I doubt a small weapons charge will sway them away from the idea.

I also don't think he will bring it to court. You have to have a good cause to get laws changed.

It either has to be:

1. Against the Federal Constitution or applicable federal laws.
2. Against the Kentucky Constitution or applicable state Laws.
3. Voted on and passed to amend/rid this statue to allow it.

As I don't see any laws that it is directly against, then it would have to go in front of the legislatures. Seeing that we had overwhelming support, I don't see that their is much chance.

If I had a .45, I would carry it.

I share the same thoughts on a person that is hell bent to murder in cold blood isn't going to give two sh1ts about a sign or rule. I agree with the other poster too....be careful about getting rectal cancer because they are just blowing smoke up ur ass about federal court. I agree that they will probably wine, cry and bitch but will have to abide by the law sooner or later. We have laws on the books that I hate with a passion...but I abide by them because they are what they are..Elected officials should do the same. Anyhow, I hope you do stick with it til the end. They may be praying for you to lose steam then the issue would be "outta sight,outta mind" and they could let it die and just move on with no changes...dont let em...
 

KYGlockster

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Lawrence county has just got themselves into a problem they don't want. I would suggest contacting KC3 and asking for their assistance in this matter. Nearly the entire state house of representatives and senate voted to pass this amendment to our state preemption which done nothing but strengthen the law to allow us to sue and reclaim damages and charge for OM, the law is certainly not new and an attorney with half a brain would know that. I would also suggest we contact Rocky and inform him of the situation and see if he would have a word with the "public servants" of Lawrence county. I am sure Rocky and other legislators would like to know how disrespectful this county government is of their authority, and I do believe Rocky was a co-sponsor of this legislation that strengthened our preemption. This county has been corrupt for too long obviously, and it shows because they obviously have never been challenged on their violation of state law; this makes me wonder what else is going on in this county that is in violation of our state's laws. We need to do some research into this county's past, and check records relating to all county functions. I also believe the people of Lawrence county need to know how incompetant their elected servants are, because I can assure you they would not be happy to hear how the government is trying to waste their tax dollars on a losing battle. If nothing else, we all get together and use our own funds to fight these idiots. I would also suggest as many of us as we can get go to the next meeting and see what they do. If they arrest several of us, then the county would be out thousands of dollars and we would easily have them removed from office for violating our rights and the newly amended state preemption.

Isaac, as soon as I get back in town I will get the audio to you.

Edit: Everything these ill informed folks say in these meetings is recorded, so we have all the proof we need to show gross negligence on their behalf and a lawsuit would be extremely simple. Once they received their summons, I guaruntee they would try to settle. They obviously want to play like they are the only ones to say what happens to people and their rights in Lawrence county so they need removed and dealt with. It is obvious they are going to continue to act as they are right to save face with the residents of the county, so I suggest we make this a top priority and get the wheels in motion. Then we can see how much their words mean with the local newspapers when they are on un-employment benefits. It is obvious that it isn't just the elected servants that need to be educated, but also the supposed journalists down in Louisa.
 
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KYGlockster

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I have contacted Rep. Adkins, and I also attempted to contact KC3 but I can't access their e-mail address because something is wrong with their website. Mr. Adkins knows better than most how this law will work, and hopefully can inform Lawrence county that they are about to waste a large amount of tax dollars if they continue to stonewall our attmept to have this ordinance removed. One way or the other we will have this removed and it is up to them to decide how it happens. They can do it the easy way and lawful way and remove or amend the ordinance, or the hard way and we sue them in court and have them removed from office. Apparently they don't realize how much we enjoy our rights, and how hard we will fight to have those rights restored when elected public servants try and take them from us. I would like to know what his grounds are for challenging this statute in Federal Court because this is a state right and issue. I guess he failed to pay attention in his course regarding the federal constitution, but perhaps he should read the Tenth Amendment.
 

KYGlockster

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The Sheriff seems like the most reasonable of the bunch, try to get him face to face and convince him. Didn't he tell you he wouldn't enforce the ordinance? Ask him "Why not". Its because he know its illegal. Have you shown him the actual statutes and AGO's? Have you shown them the email that I had the Ky. League of Cities send out? Tell them to get advice from KACO. They probably already have. Get print outs of the new articles about the incident with Charley Cherokee in Paducah. Show them the newspaper articles about me in Bardstown. Newspaper people put a lot of faith in other newspaper stories.


Yes sir we have showed the sheriff all relevant documents, however he stated he had already seen them and that basically he didn't care what they said. This was when this first started and before he contacted a private attorney, so based on what Isaac has stated I would assume he has changed his stance. I also believe your suggestion regarding the news stories is excellent. I believe if Isaac showed the local media these other stories then they would possibly try to actually be journalists and research stories they publish rather than taking some government dupe's word for it. Very good advice, and I would also be willing to attend a Fiscal Court meeting; like I stated in my previous post, the more of us that go the more they would have to arrest. The more of us they arrest, the better the case will be against them. I do not think however that they would arrest because they know good and well that we are right, they are just trying to save face.
 
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09jisaac

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Isaac, as soon as I get back in town I will get the audio to you.

Thanks, if you mail it you can include a receipt for everything. If you do I will send you a check to the return address made out to you for that value.

I too will email our representative.

I'm a little confused. First, the County Attorney says you can't legally carry in the courthouse. Then he wants to challenge the law in federal court because it won't let them prohibit guns in the courthouse. Which is it?

You need to educate a lot of people. That is often a hard job, because some people don't want to be educated. I suggest you start with the two newspapers. If it were me, I think I'd try to set up an appointment with the reporters/editors who wrote the articles and talk to them face to face. Say you want to explain some errors in their stories. Try to let him see you are not some lunatic. Take printouts of the statutes and Attorney General's opinions, let him read them. Try to explain why the law is like it is. Give a history of Ky. gun laws. Tell them that you are only trying to help the co. avoid a big lawsuit. Make yourself appear to be a helpful citizen. If you can't get him to meet you face to face use email for the same thing. You need to keep this in the news. Attend every Fiscal Court meeting. Go OC if you want. They promised to fix this and reneged. Defy them. Challenge them to arrest you if you want to. Ask why they don't arrest you if you are breaking the law. Talk about how much it will cost the taxpayers to sue in federal court or to not obey the state law. Having good gun laws do us no good if we are afraid to use them. How do they "nicely" ask someone to give up their rights? It won't be easy, but that hasn't stopped you so far. The Sheriff seems like the most reasonable of the bunch, try to get him face to face and convince him. Didn't he tell you he wouldn't enforce the ordinance? Ask him "Why not". Its because he know its illegal. Have you shown him the actual statutes and AGO's? Have you shown them the email that I had the Ky. League of Cities send out? Tell them to get advice from KACO. They probably already have. Get print outs of the new articles about the incident with Charley Cherokee in Paducah. Show them the newspaper articles about me in Bardstown. Newspaper people put a lot of faith in other newspaper stories.

The other choice is to wait and sue them after the law takes effect. I'm torn between the two options, myself. I'd love to sue some of these places and I'm sure I'll get the chance with some, but I'd also like the personal satisfaction of doing it myself. I've decided to continue to work on those that I've put the most time and effort into and wait on the others. Good luck, if I can help let me know how. I'd come there and go to a meeting with you, its a long way for me, but I'll still do it if it becomes necessary.

I don't think they even know when they are going to attempt to fix this. They may be thinking that I will just let it die and that they can just keep it the way it i. The sheriff isn't enforcing the ordinance because he knows it is an illegal ordinance and un-enforceable. KYGlockster found every relevant fact to give to them. I do not think Mike Hogan (county attorney) appreciates the "underlings" knowing the law and calling him out on it.

I would find some pleasure in taking them to court to fix this. It is so clear cut to me.
 

09jisaac

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Think they would print an editorial from you? Maybe we need to start writing in.

I have been in correspondence with Mark Grayson from the Levisa Lazer, hoping he will tell my story.

Also, I do think I need to email the Big Sandy to see if they will publish a letter. They have a wednesday only print.
 

KYGlockster

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I have been in correspondence with Mark Grayson from the Levisa Lazer, hoping he will tell my story.

Also, I do think I need to email the Big Sandy to see if they will publish a letter. They have a wednesday only print.

I believe as many people as possible should write letters to the Levisa Lazer and inform them of their inept ability to investigate their own stories and inform them that people with knowledge of this issue are paying attention.
 

KYGlockster

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I think my support system at my house broke down. News papers start talking bad about me, they start thinking bad.

You know you are right, and you also know if this goes to court you will win. Let these idiots play their childish games, and when things get real it will be you with the satisfaction of making them look ignorant and unable to properly execute their job.
 

self preservation

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I have been reading the online Levisa Lazer that Issac provided. And I agree that they did a poor job with the story. They did make Issac look like a "gun slinger" nut job. And if you read the post below that have been left by readers you will see that only 3 or 4 understand whats going on. The others think he wants to hold a judge or jury at gun point "just because he can".... I'm not from that area but has anyone done a letter to the editor to clear up the story? I believe Issac mentioned that he contacted the paper to do a seperate story but I dont know if he has had any luck with that or not. Just curious what we can do to get the real story out there.

Even when the county decides to change their illegal ordiances we really don't want the gun community looking like a bunch of bullies that "got our way"...How do we educate people that THEY (Lawrence co) are in the wrong? How do you make them understand that "court" house and a judicial court room are not the same thing? How do you educate them that "gun free" zones don't offer a bit of safety from violence? I know that there is no simple answer for any of my questions...just wanted to blow off some steam over this BS 'news' paper article.
 

09jisaac

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I have been in discussion with the writer of the Levisa Lazer, I have corrected him before and he does not want to be corrected. He maintains that he is on neither side, I see it differently.
 

09jisaac

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Orders} Lawrence county Fiscal Court

Discussion on the approval of amendments to the Deadly Weapons Ordinance 96.06 [96.006]

County Attorney Michael Hogan asked the Court to table this item. Mr. James Issac [Isaac] stated to the Court that since the State has passed this the County has 6 months to get this amendment done up. Guns can be carried in the Courthouse as long as they are open and not concealed. This however cannot be done in a courtroom nor will you be able to carry one into the new judicial building.

Mr. Hogan stated that he believes in the rights of citizens to carry guns, but in appropriate places and stated that he felt the Courthouse is not an appropriate place. He further stated that especially in his office he and his employees encounter, what he considered, dangerous people daily. He said that his office deals with murderers, people going through divorces, taking this children away and drug addicts every day. Many of these people are not happy being in their situation and bring their anger in on my employees. There have been several times we have had to call for officers to assist them. Just recently some of Chris Rose's employees were faced with a man threatening them with a knife and the man did not even have a problem with Mr. Rose or his office, he just happened to go into that room. Jeff Kinser, from the audience, stated to the County Attorney that a written law was not going to stop someone with a gun if they really wanted to get in with one. Mr. Hogan agreed.

Mr. Hogan asked Mr. Issac if he was in fact asked by himself and the Sheriff not to carry a gun into the Courthouse which Mr. Issac replied yes and then further stated that Mr. Hogan and the Sheriff had no right [authority] to ask him not to do so by the ordinance of record. Magistrate Bill Lemaster asked Mr. Issac why does he wish to carry a gun to which Mr. Issac replied, for protection. Mr. Lemaster asked Mr. Issac what does he need to be protected from and Mr. Issac stated that statistically you are more likely to be killed by a human that a dangerous animal.

Mr. Hogan asked Mr. Issac if he agrees that guns should not be carried into a courtroom and Mr. Issac agreed. Mr. Hogan then asked how Mr. Issac could condone carrying a gun n the hallway leading to a courtroom any different than a courtroom. Mr. Issac stated that the hallway was an open area not governed by the Judge.

Mr. Hogan stated that he feels the safety of this courthouse in non-existent. There are five entrances to this courthouse and annex area and no guards nor metal detectors to insure the safety of the citizens and workers here in the courthouse. Mr. Hogan advised the Court that they can either pass this item or they can table it or they can authorize him to file suit to challenge this in court. He had stated to the Court that many have filed a class action suit on this but feels if the Court wishes to file suit they would be able to do better filing alone than with a class action. *Bill Lemaster made the motion for Mr. Hogan to file suit out of class action with Morris Howard seconding that motion. Magistrate Earl Boggs, Jr. questioned as to what separates the federal courts and our county courts on this issue. Mr. Hogan stated that you cannot take any guns in any AOC facility but the Fiscal Court can pass in any county to ban anyone from carry a concealed weapons but not open weapons. *Bill Lemaster withdrew his motion for Mr. Hogan to file a suit out of class action in order to table the item for more discussion on the issue. Mr. Hogan stated that they have 6 months to decide from July 2012.


This is the approved record of the discussion last court meeting (June 18th, 2012)

The blue are my corrections.

I feel that the red section adequately shows why we should be allowed to carry a firearm into the courthouse. That part of the ordinance is valid. Knifes are a prohibited object in the Lawrence county courthouse, yet someone carried one in.

I think it is funny how they missed the part where the County Attorney Mike Hogan says that he has a firearm "close in his office".
 

KYGlockster

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"Mr. Hogan asked Mr. Issac if he agrees that guns should not be carried into a courtroom and Mr. Issac agreed. Mr. Hogan then asked how Mr. Issac could condone carrying a gun n the hallway leading to a courtroom any different than a courtroom. Mr. Issac stated that the hallway was an open area not governed by the Judge."

I do not see why this is relavent. The courtrooms for the Court of Justice are in the Annex and not the County Courthouse. You are fighting their ban in the County Courthouse and County buildings. This should show all citizens of Lawrence County just how ignorant their local officials are of state law and their ability to regulate certain activities. He is going to challenge this in court? Is this guy so ignorant that he does not research before he speaks? This has been challenged and has failed. The Ky Constitution and law are very clear, and Local governments do not have "home-rule" authority over this matter. This guy is a lame attorney if he can't study case law and other relevant information regarding this issue and come to a speedy conclusion that he is wasting the CITIZENS' money.

When is the next meeting? The court needs to contact other cities and counties that have already been down this road and even their local State legislators to discuss this issue. They will realize real fast that they are fighting a battle that has already been lost, and that if they wish to make state-wide news coverage over this issue and show the whole state how they could have avoided wasting large amounts of money then they might have a hard time come election time. The county could fix this issue quickly and easily, but if they want to lose in front of a statewide audience that is their prerogative.

We need to address the people in attendance at the next meeting and get them aware and upset about this situation. We need to tell them the truth, turn this into an issue about liberty and freedoms. We need to tell them if the county does not rectify the situation then they will lose in court and that their money will be wasted, and that critical services might be cut and taxes may be raised. We need to get them to understand that each and everyone of us are expected to obey the law, and that the government should be to. We need to ask if they would like the county to prohibit them from attending the public meetings (which would be like them telling us we can't because we are exercising our rights), or if the county should be able to violate the law when we would be severely punished for doing the same. We need to change tactics a little, and get the local community involved. We can tell them where to look this stuff up and discover for their selves that we are correct and the county is lying to them. We know we are right and the county will lose, but we can get the residents involved too. If we get the folks in attendance to realize this is more than a gun rights issue then we can place pressure on the court to remove their illegal ordinance. If that doesn't work then we can take them to court, or let them challenge the issue on their own and save us the money. Either way we will regain the liberties they have taken from us, while showing the county's citizens that they probably need to replace these elected public servants, because they are not serving the needs of the county or the people.
 
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KYGlockster

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I just noticed that the statement says: "Guns can be carried in the Courthouse as long as they are open and not concealed." This is incorrect. Guns can be carried openly or concealed in the County Courthouse right now because KRS 65.870 says any current ordinance that is in violation of state law is void and unenforceable, and even if it was not in violation of law they do not have the proper signage placed to enforce the ordinance. They can also be carried concealed after they amend their ordinance because no criminal penalty can attach to the ordinance, and they still won't have signs posted I'm sure. This is why it is ignorant to pass such an ordinance, because we can still carry.

Also, I agree that firearms in the Court of Justice Courthouse (Annex) are not a great idea, but this is the County Courthouse, with County Offices where the public has to visit to stay up to date on taxes and what not, and our right to bear is protected there.

This guy seems like a Totalitarian Democrat that believes a sign and words on paper will stop someone that is bent on destruction from entering the Courthouse, not a Conservative Republican that stands for rights and logic. You do not support the Second Amendment if you believe we have the right to carry in places you approve. Lucky for us his opinion means nothing in the matter and we will continue to have the right to carry in government buildings for some time. I will attend the next meeting and I will carry.
 
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09jisaac

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Nothing has happened since that meeting.

I am thinking about sending a letter to a newspaper about the corruption in Lawrence county government. They allowed (until quit recently when they were caught) the use of public equipment for personal use (pushing out a road, county garage for fixing personal vehicles, taking home a generator during the power outage etc.), a woman (who is on a government board) who manages to bypass an ordinance for 16 years even after she has been informed of it, the logs of an employee skips days he was working and "forgets" to mention what he did, you have to beg for the minutes of public meetings (might have fixed this) and this where they don't want to obey state statute pertaining to firearms.

I think Lawrence county thinks it is above the law. I am fighting them every chance I get.

I feel the same way about that gutshot. He thinks he needs protection, but we don't. I think he needs to remember, he is a public servant.
 
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