Sheriff Cannon: I would be violating the law if I enforced unconstitutional law

Charleston County’s Sheriff Al Cannon voiced his opposition to proposed national gun restrictions in the wake of the Newtown, Conn. shooting.

During a press conference this morning, Cannon said people are “taking advantage of broken hearts” to push the gun agenda.

He also told reporters he would be violating the law if he enforced a law that was unconstutional. “An officer is obligated not to follow any unlawful order,” Cannon said.

During the press conference, Cannon dumped bullets out of a revolver and said: “The only way I can hurt you with this is if I hit you with it.”

Cannon also said banning assault weapons won’t guarantee the safety of students and blamed the “general erosion of morals and ethics in society” as the contributing factor to gun violence.

“Criminals don’t obey laws. They’re not going to turn in their 30-round magazines,” Cannon said.

On Wednesday, President Barack Obama unveiled the most sweeping proposals for curbing gun violence in two decades calling for universal background checks and bans on military-style assault weapons and high-capacity ammunition magazines like the ones used in the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.

President Obama also used his presidential powers to enact 23 measures that don’t require the backing of lawmakers. The president’s executive actions include ordering federal agencies to make more data available for background checks, appointing a director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and directing the Centers for Disease Control to research gun violence.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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