Washington Chief Says Officers Will Not Enforce New Gun Laws

Chief Loren Culp of the Republic (WA) Police Department said on social media that he won't allow his department to enforce new regulations under newly passed which he said are unconstitutional.

Initiative 1639 raises the age limit for some gun purchases and puts an enhanced background check and waiting period in place for people who want to buy a semi-automatic rifle, among other restrictions.

Chief Culp wrote on Facebook , "I've taken 3 public oaths, one in the US Army and Two as a police officer. All of them included upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States of America. The second amendment says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

The post continued, "The second amendment says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. As long as I am Chief of Police, no Republic Police Officer will infringe on citizens right to keep and Bear Arms, PERIOD!"

Further, Culp suggests that the city pass legislation that would make the City of Republic a "2nd Amendment Sanctuary City."

Culp said in a separate Facebook post that he wants local legislation passed that that would "prevent federal and state infringement on the right to keep and bear arms; nullifying all federal and state acts in violation of the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and Article 1 Section 24 of the Washington State Constitution."

Initiative 1639 passed with a statewide approval of nearly 60 percent of the vote. In Ferry County—where the City of Republic is located—73 percent of voters said no to the measure.