SHERIFF RAMSAY ON GUN LAWS, UVALDE & ACCOUNTABILITY

Sheriff Rick Ramsay has spent more than 30 years as a law enforcement officer in the Florida Keys, and the past decade as the county’s sheriff. 

The most decorated deputy in the history of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Ramsay is proficient with firearms and knowledgeable about gun ownership. 

Following the “heinous” mass shooting that killed 19 little kids and two teachers in Uvalde, Texas on May 24, Ramsay spoke at length with the Keys Weekly about gun laws, school security and mass shootings in America. 

Ramsay is in close contact with Monroe County School District officials regarding “hardening” efforts to improve security at Florida Keys schools. As reported by the Keys Weekly last week, he has urged the district to invest in enhanced fencing around schools rather than 6-foot chain link fences that can easily be scaled by the 15- to 19-year-old males who typically commit school shootings. 

But fences aren’t foolproof and Ramsay had plenty to say about the Uvalde devastation, gun laws, background checks, video games, mental illness and parental involvement.

Sheriff on gun laws

“Here in Florida, I can go buy an AR-15 legally. I go through the legal process, the background check. The state knows I have it. But then I can sell it to absolutely anyone. No waiting period. No background check. No knowledge of the person’s mental health history.

“The easy answer is to take everyone’s guns away, but such laws are only followed by lawful people.

“I’m completely in favor of a 10-day waiting period and a minimum age of 21 to get an assault rifle. I’m also in favor of more intensive background checks, and of closing the loophole that allows anyone — no background check or waiting period — to buy an assault rifle at a gun show or from a private seller.”

Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay CONTRIBUTED

“I’m all about looking at all factors on all levels, including waiting periods, background checks, closing loopholes, and raising the age to 21 for assault weapons.”

MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF RICK RAMSAY

“Almost every one of these heinous events has been preceded by red flags. I’m very concerned about the confidential nature of these threats and prior investigations into someone’s mental illness. So no one ever knows until something horrible happens. All that information comes after someone has already committed a devastating act.

“We have to have a better ability to identify mental illness so we can do realistic threat assessments.

“There’s a lot we can do, but unfortunately, it’s become so politicized that we can’t resolve what’s in the best interest of kids and public safety. I’m all about looking at all factors on all levels, including waiting periods, background checks, closing loopholes, and raising the age to 21 for assault weapons.”

Sheriff on Uvalde mistakes

“It killed me seeing those officers outside an elementary school arguing with and handcuffing parents for no lawful reason. Any parent is going to risk their life to save their kid. I have no sympathy for those officers who failed to act. It was horrific and paints a bad image. The chief made a terrible decision. There was poor leadership from the top. That chief should have been fired immediately, or at the very least, suspended without pay pending an investigation and THEN fired. Every officer who failed to act should have action taken against them. They’re not expected to comply with unlawful orders from a superior. And the order to do nothing was not a lawful order.”

Sheriff on parents, kids, video games

“There’s been a collapse in the family structure. Kids are turning into loners with no social skills and no responsibility.

“We need some type of age restrictions or censorship on violent video games that teach kids to aim and shoot guns and take a life without giving it a second thought. 

“Parents need to be more accountable, more involved and more aware. They need to ask questions and should be cloning their kids’ phones and computers to see what they surf, post and who they talk to. The kid doesn’t like it? Too bad. The parents are paying for the phones.

“Back in the ’80s, kids would rather have the police called on them than their parents, who would be embarrassed to have to come to the police station when the kid screwed up. Today, the parents get mad at law enforcement and threaten to sue us. They reinforce bad behavior and assure their kid that mom and dad will fix it and that nothing is ever the kid’s fault. 

“So many kids today have no real curfews, social skills or responsibility. Every time we see these breakdowns in family structure, there’s red flags involved. Mental illness and bullying are too often a problem, and parents have to give us this information when they see these red flags.

We all have to start rowing in the same direction if we’re going to make any meaningful changes.”

Mandy Miles drops stuff, breaks things and falls down more than any adult should. An award-winning writer, reporter and columnist, she's been stringing words together in Key West since 1998. "Local news is crucial," she says. "It informs and connects a community. It prompts conversation. It gets people involved, holds people accountable. The Keys Weekly takes its responsibility seriously. Our owners are raising families in Key West & Marathon. Our writers live in the communities we cover - Key West, Marathon & the Upper Keys. We respect our readers. We question our leaders. We believe in the Florida Keys community. And we like to have a good time." Mandy's married to a saintly — and handy — fishing captain, and can't imagine living anywhere else.