Rising star constitutional lawyer Timothy Sandefur likes to say government confiscates our rights and then sells them back to us.  This view certainly explains the behind-the-scenes approach of the Alabama Sheriffs' Association is taking in fighting proposed legislation, S.B. 24, that removes the need for a concealed carry permit.  In public, the sheriffs' body says officers would be endangered.  But AL.com reporter Cameron Smith got hold of an email from the association that suggests that their opposition to the bill on "officer safety" grounds is not the real motivation. A recent internal email suggests that the Sheriffs Association isn't necessarily negotiating in good faith. An email from Timmons called on sheriffs to contact their legislators "if you value your permit fund." He specifically warned against a compromise that would clearly benefit Alabama's gun owners. "The National Rifle Association...(Read Full Post)