EDITOR:
Major Erik Holland recently exemplified the courtesy and professionalism we expect, and respect, from our Platte County Sheriff’s Department. In comparison: Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt. The Landmark reported last week that the FBI, a law enforcement partner of sheriff’s departments all over the country, made a routine request of our department here. This audit is to examine a sample of our Concealed Carry Weapons Permit transactions as part of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. According to The Landmark, this request was also made to several other sheriff’s departments and was previously performed in Missouri in 2018.
However, Eric Schmitt, the Missouri Attorney General, made this an opportunity to scold Director Christopher Wray about the “out-of-touch FBI.” He said this audit “is not going to happen” and that he would “fight tooth and nail” on behalf of the people of Missouri.
It’s clear this routine audit is not to collect names of those with concealed-carry permits; it’s to review compliance with the system in place. The people of Platte County and the people of Missouri really have no interest in picking a fight with the FBI. And we don’t need Eric Schmitt to come to our rescue. Major Holland is also a lawyer and is counsel for our sheriff’s department. He can handle this on behalf of Platte Countians just fine.
Lastly, Schmitt’s tone does not reflect Platte County. In comparison, Major Holland wrote in his letter to the FBI where parking would be available to the team coming to do their work. This is Platte County.
--LeAnn Karbaumer
Platte City