When Sheriffs Ignore Gun Laws They Don't Like Re "Sheriffs Refuse to Enforce Laws on Gun Control" (front page, Dec. 16): Sheriffs in Colorado and upstate New York justify their refusal to enforce gun control laws enacted by their legislatures by appointing themselves constitutional arbiters. Sheriff John Cooke of Weld County, Colo., is quoted as saying: "In my oath it says I'll uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Colorado. It doesn't say I have to uphold every law passed by the Legislature. An Arizona sheriff, Richard Mack, is quoted as saying, "The Supreme Court does not run my office." Even if these sheriffs were all constitutional scholars, it would be a frightening precedent for law enforcement personnel to choose to ignore the most fundamental constitutional rule of all: the separation of powers. The United States is a great constitutional democracy. It is admired around the world in large measure because of its checks and balances: three branches of government to independently make, enforce and adjudicate our laws. If one of those branches decides to go it alone - either ignoring the others or usurping their powers - the whole system fails. The same sheriffs who oppose the new gun control laws have brought litigation challenging the statutes. Like other law-abiding citizens, they must wait for evidence to be presented and ultimately for the court to decide the dispute. In the meantime, they, too, must follow the laws as they have been written. The writers are, respectively, president, immediate past president and a board member of the New York County Lawyers" Association. We in Colorado are appalled that some sheriffs are refusing to enforce the new gun laws. As protectors of their communities, sheriffs should be supportive of laws that keep firearms from criminals. The decision on the constitutionality of a law does not lie with the sheriffs, but rather with the courts. By their choices, the sheriffs have overstepped their constitutional role. Sheriff John Cooke makes light of the ban on large-capacity magazines. Actually, the power of the ban is at the point of sale, which makes it quite disturbing to read that "one sheriff acknowledged that some stores continued to sell them illegally." That sheriff is derelict in his or her duties. In 2000, Colorado voters overwhelmingly voted to close the gun show loophole. Sheriff Cooke is on record supporting repeal of that law and reportedly opposes all instant background checks. Upon retiring his star, Mr. Cooke hopes to be a state senator. If he's elected, perhaps we citizens should follow his lead and just ignore those laws he passes that we don't like. EILEEN McCARRON President, Colorado Ceasefire Capitol Fund Denver, Dec. 17, 2013