One of the questions asked at the forum for the Miami-Dade sheriff candidates Monday was whether or not our community would be safer if we each went out and bought a gun, obviously getting the training or whatever needed to use one. And, almost like an echo chamber, the candidates said they believed in the Second Amendment — an expected answer from law enforcement types who own guns themselves.
And that’s what’s wonderful about the U.S.A., most said, some bringing up their political prisoner parents and family’s flight from dictatorship.
But there were some notable differences.
Kudos to Jose Aragu for going out on a GOP limb and being critical of Gov. Ron DeSantis‘ controversial 2023 law, allowing Floridians to carry guns without a government permit, calling it “ludicrous” and saying he would work to repeal it. “All we’ve done is create more accessibility with individuals who do not know when they can use it, when they cannot use it and how to use it properly,” Aragu said,” adding that he’s written to the guv and requested a meeting.
“I will have an active voice and we need to have this overturned because of the safety of our families.”
Assistant Miami-Dade Police Director Rosanna Cordero-Stutz, the highest ranking current MDPD officer running for the seat, said that it’s a personal decision to be made by each individual. Her sister, she offered, does not have a gun because she is not comfortable with one in her home. She does.
“We can be responsible gun owners,” she said. But she also believes in training and, apparently, restrictions. “We don’t give a teenager who just learned to drive a Ferrari.”
Read related: KFHA forum for Miami-Dade sheriff candidates helps narrow down the field
Former Miami-Dade Commissioner Joe Martinez, who was also a police officer, used a variation of the bumper sticker. “Guns aren’t what kills people. It’s people. Having a gun in a home isn’t what causes shootings,” he said, adding that there are knives and “blunt instruments” in every home.
Martinez, who is facing felony public corruption charges for an alleged exchange of money for legislation, did not list any firearms among his assets in the financial disclosure he filed last week. But he does say he has $100,000 worth of jewelry.
The best answer came from Rickey Mitchell, a funeral home director who was a cop for five minutes and apparently has a conflict of interest because a higher body county would improve his bottom line.
“You’re safer to have a gun in your house, yes you are,” he said, answer the question posed by KFHA President Michael Rosenberg to several candidates. You almost expected him to announce a two for one special at the funeral home after that.
In the financial disclosures that were submitted when the candidates qualified earlier this month, only two of them include weapons in their assets.
Ernesto Rodriguez owns $20,000 worth of firearms. Alex Fornet, who was a cop for five minutes and now owns a credit clinic, listed he had $15,000 worth of “guns and rifles.”
Miami-Dade candidates for sheriff talk about guns, gun safety at KFHA forum added by Ladra on
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