Former Seattle police chief calls for repeal of 2nd Amendment
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ORCAS ISLAND, Wash. -- A former Seattle police chief is calling for the repeal of the Second Amendment, and the controversial idea is drawing both praise and scorn.
Norm Stamper lives away from the gritty streets of Seattle on what he calls his own slice of paradise on Orcas Island.
But the former police chief recently shattered his peace and quite when he went public with his opinion that the Second Amendment -- the right to own a gun -- should be done away with.
Stamper said he knew his proposal would cause a fire storm, but he went ahead with it anyway.
"Because I really believe in the need for us to examine the Second Amendment," he said. "I've come to the conclusion that that amendment is actually more harmful than good."
He said the amendment is out of date and "bears no resemblance to what's happening today."
Stamper, who was squeezed out of his job as police chief after the WTO riots, said owning a gun should be allowed as a right, but only with broad restrictions.
He said responsible people should be able to own certain guns, but they should be required to take classes, have certain qualifications and the guns should be tracked.
"I am not, in any way, suggesting that guns be confiscated, that guns be taken away from Americans," he said. "But I don't think people on city streets, in urban and rural areas of this country, need to be armed for war."
Stamper's controversial opinions aren't sitting well with many gun owners, and some have been less than constructive with their criticism.
"There are people who have made threats. And shame on them. Who do you think you are to threaten me?" he said.
Others, such as Alan Gottlieb's Second Amendment Foundation, have offered up a more thoughtful reaction.
"If put to a vote of the people, I'm sure he would lose," Gottlieb said.
Many people have called for tougher guns laws, but few can claim to have as deep a background in law enforcement as Stamper.
"In some circles, my views definitely carry more weight, because of how I spent 34 years of my adulthood," he said. "I was around guns. I carried one every day for 34 years. I've seen what bullets do to bodies."
It's those very sights and experiences that have helped shaped Stamper's current views on guns.
"I shot and killed a man. In 1972. I wish to God I had not been put in a position to have to use lethal force, but I did," he said.
Norm Stamper lives away from the gritty streets of Seattle on what he calls his own slice of paradise on Orcas Island.
But the former police chief recently shattered his peace and quite when he went public with his opinion that the Second Amendment -- the right to own a gun -- should be done away with.
Stamper said he knew his proposal would cause a fire storm, but he went ahead with it anyway.
"Because I really believe in the need for us to examine the Second Amendment," he said. "I've come to the conclusion that that amendment is actually more harmful than good."
He said the amendment is out of date and "bears no resemblance to what's happening today."
Stamper, who was squeezed out of his job as police chief after the WTO riots, said owning a gun should be allowed as a right, but only with broad restrictions.
He said responsible people should be able to own certain guns, but they should be required to take classes, have certain qualifications and the guns should be tracked.
"I am not, in any way, suggesting that guns be confiscated, that guns be taken away from Americans," he said. "But I don't think people on city streets, in urban and rural areas of this country, need to be armed for war."
Stamper's controversial opinions aren't sitting well with many gun owners, and some have been less than constructive with their criticism.
"There are people who have made threats. And shame on them. Who do you think you are to threaten me?" he said.
Others, such as Alan Gottlieb's Second Amendment Foundation, have offered up a more thoughtful reaction.
"If put to a vote of the people, I'm sure he would lose," Gottlieb said.
Many people have called for tougher guns laws, but few can claim to have as deep a background in law enforcement as Stamper.
"In some circles, my views definitely carry more weight, because of how I spent 34 years of my adulthood," he said. "I was around guns. I carried one every day for 34 years. I've seen what bullets do to bodies."
It's those very sights and experiences that have helped shaped Stamper's current views on guns.
"I shot and killed a man. In 1972. I wish to God I had not been put in a position to have to use lethal force, but I did," he said.
And this is why it is in the Bill of Rights. So that even a majority can not take away the rights of people on a whim.Â
this is nothing but a commy who lived in office to take from the tax payer and now can afford to live and be retired on orcas island, these are our rights if you don't like it move to russia.
Interesting, concept. We could also Amend the Second Amendment to better clarify the whole "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State," part that seems to be a logical hurdle for some.
There is a moron born everyday, sometimes it takes time to manifest.Â
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He lives on an island... there is your first clue..
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Move to North Korea or China, they like your progressive thinking there.Â
I lived in Seattle when Stamper was C.of P. He was inefficient and lackluster, even worse than the next chief Kerlikowski, who lost his gun when it was stolen from his car. Now Stamper is a doobie advocate and is likely enjoying Washingtons new pot law.
"Stamper, who was squeezed out of his job as police chief after the WTO riots"
I think this man is bitter due to him losing his position and now wants to take it out on the citizens. Get over it!Â
Well I disagree with this gentleman.  He must be well on the way to losing his faculties and I feel sorry for him. His view, from out there on Orca Island, is way out of touch with the world.
Obviously this man is becoming senile..
The great thing about this country is, if you don't like it you can leave. I'd suggest moving to China!
 @11bravo yes, whole races of people have been destroyed over the centuries by dictators who first removed their right to own guns.Â
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He astute ex law officer should go back to school and take some history classes... There are some very ugly examples of what happens when government is in sole charge of things.Â
The more I thought about this man's position, the more I thought how did he ever get to be a Police Chief. He obviously is not a student of history, and does not know or recall why we became Americans. He obviously has no idea why he is able to even make the statement he has made. The more I thought about it, I began to feel sorry that this man has never understood what it is to be an American, the greatest nation on earth. I feel sorry for you sir, and only hope you can find some relief if you take the time to study and comprehend what governments of other nations have done to their citizens, because their citizens can't speak freely simply because they are afraid of the government. I will never give up any of my rights, and seriously hope that anyone who feels like this man certainly needs to be living somewhere besides the greatest nation on this planet.
Scorn from the non freedom loving people, and scorn from freedom loving people. I could only suggest one thing for anyone who wants to change the constitution of the USA. "Move". I would suggest that this individual, his name means abslutely nothing to a freedom lover, that he pack up all his guns and march over to my place and drop them off. I would be glad to keep them out of the hands of criminals.
"In some circles, my views definitely carry more weight, because of how I spent 34 years of my adulthood," he said.
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Not. Opinions are like, well, you know what.
So this idiot would have us unarmed and vulnerable to government control.. Me thinks NOT!
"peace and quite"??
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Quite what?
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Apparently news reporters aren't required to even pass a simple English Comp 101 class. And yet we are supposed to rely on them as our source of information about what is happening in the world.
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 @oregoncraigÂ
Either I'm just getting older and paying more attention, or the quality of reporting in both content and editing has degraded horribly. Â My school newspaper had better proof-reading and fact checking (and that was before we had the internet).Â