Sheriff Tom Jones speaks out about enforcement of Washington State Initiative 1639 
Ephrata, Wash. (04FEB2019) – Grant County Sheriff Tom Jones is speaking out in regards to Washington State Initiative 1639 and the growing momentum of Washington State county sheriffs publicly declining to enforce the initiative until it clears federal court hurdles. The initiative imposes new restrictions on Washington State residents that have been the subject of lawsuits challenging the constitutional validity since it passed in November 2018.
“I agree with my other county sheriff colleagues. I am instructing my deputies not to enforce Initiative 1639 in Grant County while the constitutional validity remains in argument at the federal courts level. I swore an oath to defend our citizens and their constitutionally protected rights. I do not believe the popular vote overrules that,” Sheriff Tom Jones said.
Sheriff Tom Jones added, “If the courts later rule the validity of this new law, at that time I will partner closely with our prosecutor’s office to ensure the best plan moving forward. Grant County has a very large voter base of citizens that are pro Second Amendment. They, we, have a right to have this challenge and appeals process play out before moving forward.”
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PR76/AGT1
Sharon Palmerton
Public Information Officer
[email protected]
509-760-6314
Address/Location
Grant County Sheriff's Office
35 C St NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 509-754-2011
Address/Location
Grant County Sheriff's Office
35 C St NW
Ephrata, WA 98823
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 509-754-2011
