State lawmaker: 'Open season on criminals'
MASON COUNTY, Wash. -- A local lawmaker in mostly rural Mason County is standing by some controversial remarks he made declaring "open season on criminals."
Mason County, like the majority of counties in the state of Washington, is facing budget cuts. County Commissioner Tim Sheldon says that could mean cutting at least one deputy sheriff.
But Sheldon is quoted in the Shelton-Mason County Journal newspaper saying he thinks armed residents in the county will help ease some of the risk involved in that decision.
Sheldon told the paper, "There is no bag limit. There's always an open season on criminals in Mason County."
Mason County Sheriff Casey Salisbury then told the paper, "I don't think that's an appropriate comment."
Sheldon, who also serves as a state senator, was reached by KOMO News in Olympia, where he stood by his remarks. But he added, "I'm not promoting vigilantism."
Sheldon says his comments must be considered in the context of his rural county.
"Mason County citizens are a resourceful group," he said. "I think at least half of the homes in the county are gun owners."
Sheldon, contrasting his county with more populated regions like King County, says, "We are a self-reliant area that protects ourselves."
In March, Mason County saw a 26-percent drop in sales tax revenue, and Sheldon says cutting a deputy position, while unavoidable, may be manageable.
"Mason County residents are hunters and fishermen, they're self-reliant people, they do own weapons in their homes," he said. "They are law-abiding citizens. I do think they are comfortable working with their neighborhood and looking out for themselves."
Mason County, like the majority of counties in the state of Washington, is facing budget cuts. County Commissioner Tim Sheldon says that could mean cutting at least one deputy sheriff.
But Sheldon is quoted in the Shelton-Mason County Journal newspaper saying he thinks armed residents in the county will help ease some of the risk involved in that decision.
Sheldon told the paper, "There is no bag limit. There's always an open season on criminals in Mason County."
Mason County Sheriff Casey Salisbury then told the paper, "I don't think that's an appropriate comment."
Sheldon, who also serves as a state senator, was reached by KOMO News in Olympia, where he stood by his remarks. But he added, "I'm not promoting vigilantism."
Sheldon says his comments must be considered in the context of his rural county.
"Mason County citizens are a resourceful group," he said. "I think at least half of the homes in the county are gun owners."
Sheldon, contrasting his county with more populated regions like King County, says, "We are a self-reliant area that protects ourselves."
In March, Mason County saw a 26-percent drop in sales tax revenue, and Sheldon says cutting a deputy position, while unavoidable, may be manageable.
"Mason County residents are hunters and fishermen, they're self-reliant people, they do own weapons in their homes," he said. "They are law-abiding citizens. I do think they are comfortable working with their neighborhood and looking out for themselves."