The right to self-defense does not come to us from the State, but from God. Any rights given by man can be taken away, but rights from God remain the same because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
A few years ago, I was lying in bed when I heard someone breaking into the house. I jumped up, grabbed my gun and ordered my wife to call 911. I ran into the hallway where I could look into the kitchen and onto the porch and there he was, on the outside of the house in the act of removing the screen. With my loaded 9 MM pointing at him, I began to yell at him: “Stop, I have a gun. Stop, right now!” I had determined if he made it into the house, I would have killed him. When he heard the police sirens, he fled. Latter I found out that he had killed another person. So why was he not given the death penalty? Why was he enabled to strike again?
Why didn’t I flee? Because of the principle of stand your ground. Why did I stand my ground? Because of something called the Castle Doctrine. Your home is your castle and when an intruder forces his way into your house you have the right of self-defense even to the point of lethal force if necessary. This doctrine must be strengthened, defended and expanded. As your Sheriff for York County Maine, Lord willing, I will do just that.
Expansion of the Castle Doctrine includes when you are in your motor vehicle. I have seen news reports where cars are swarmed and individuals are trying to smash the windows. What does the driver do? Just drive away and if the assailants are hurt, it is their own fault. The driver should be held blameless, and marked as a hero.
Expansion also includes businesses. A few years back, I was disgusted to see our Western states, run by Democrats, in chaos. Rioters were smashing windows and looting stores in the most un-American and un-Godly fashion. Where were the storeowners? They should have been in the stores with their guns and anyone who entered their stores with the intent to loot should have been shot. The storeowners have a right to self-defense for themselves and their property. Protestors have no right to destroy property and if they claim that right, they should not lay claim to that a second time. Storeowners (and their employees) are not villains; they are heroes. By their acts of self-defense, looting would cease.
As I began this memo, I declared that self-defense is a God given right. You can read about it in The Book of Exodus, Chapter 17. The event takes place in the year 1941 B.C. In short, after God led Israel through the Red Sea, He brought them to Rephidium, where they needed water. Therefore, God miraculously told Moses to strike a rock and water flowed from the stone. After they were refreshed, the descendants of Amalek attacked. In an act of self-defense the Israelites, under the authority of God and leadership of Moses and Joshua, defended themselves and many Amalekites died.
As I stated, the act of self-defense is a God given right. This right does not come from the state. As your Sheriff, I will strengthen, defend and expand that right. Together, let us make York County great again!