WUSA9
Scott Broom:
He is a Maryland sheriff who says he will not enforce any new gun laws in his state. Sheriff Mike Lewis of Wicomico County also warns of a civil war over the gun rights issue. Now, critics say the sheriff has just gone too far, might be encouraging armed violence because of his rhetoric. As gun control bills move through Maryland's legislature, we decided to send Scott Broom to Salisbury, Maryland to find out more about this Sheriff, Mike Lewis.
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
Since becoming sheriff here in Wicomico County in 2006, Mike Lewis has been no stranger to getting attention with bold rhetoric.
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
This is a shot fired across the
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
Bow. He was criticized for overkill when he sent an armored vehicle to the Baltimore riots and took to Fox News to question the city's tactics.
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
On behalf of all of you, I promise.
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
But this time some people say his rhetoric calling for defiance of new gun laws is just dangerous. Lewis made news in February when he vowed he would not enforce additional gun control laws if they pass the Maryland legislature this year.
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
If these bills passed, we will not comply.
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
It's a very conservative county, even though the
Scott Broom:
Sheriff on patrol in Waco County, Maryland, 52% for President Trump in the last election.
Scott Broom:
Why does the gun issue resonate with many of your residents?
Sheriff Mike Lewis I think because the majority of people down here rely heavily on their weapon to protect their farms, to protect their homes. We only have 96 sworn deputies, but we're covering 374 square miles.
Scott Broom:
Do you stand by the statement you made that evening on video? We will not comply.
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
I will have to see what passes first. But had it passed in its original format, I would not have complied. Absolutely not. When they view their government as being tyrannical, overreaching, I want them to know that I'm not one of those government officials. I do not advocate violence of any kind. But what's going on here is, once again, they're pushing and they're pushing and they're pushing. And I know many people who will not surrender their guns, period, and they won't surrender their guns, and it would be an all out civil war. Do I think it's going to come to that, Scott? No, I do not. He
Jimma Gould:
Has a responsibility to understand that his words can openly lead to violence.
Scott Broom:
Talk of civil war and defiance of laws is shaking some of Lewis's constituents. Jamma Gould is a progressive activist and unsuccessful candidate for county council violence. How? What do you mean? Who might this inspire?
Jimma Gould:
White nationalists very easily can be inspired by this non-compliance,
R.S. Mitchell:
And I agree with the sheriff completely.
Scott Broom:
But in the gun rights community, Lewis has struck a nerve. RS Mitchell runs a gun training school in Salisbury.
R.S. Mitchell:
I think you need to look at Gandhi who had non-violence, non-compliance. That's where we're at.
Scott Broom:
This isn't about violent
R.S. Mitchell:
Confrontation with government. Absolutely not
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
About come
R.S. Mitchell:
And take it. No, not at all.
Sheriff Mike Lewis:
And when you introduce legislation, it restricts one's ability to purchase, to possess or transfer a long gun. It's just another way to discourage lawful gun ownership.
Scott Broom:
I ended my conversations with Sheriff Lewis talking about the concept of sanctuary cities against state gun laws same way as their sanctuary cities against federal immigration law. Lewis said he's heard about the concept. He's not ready to go there yet. In Salisbury, Maryland, Scott Broom, WSA nine,
Broadcaster:
You should know that the state of Maryland is currently considering two new gun bills. One would require background checks for the private person-to-person sale of all rifles and shotguns. The second would prohibit do it yourself. 3D printed gun kits with no registration or serial numbers.
Do you know Getting a handgun in Maryland just got easier