Shurtleff quotes

Polygamy

On battling crimes within polygamous communities:

"We've been upfront about it: We're going after child abuse and fraud. We're not going to use our resources to go after consenting adults who are practicing polygamy."

Gun law

On challenging a law in the community of Virgin:

"Virgin passed a gun law that said you have to have a gun. I got wind of that. I went down there and told them you can't do that. The gun people were mad at me. They called me an anti-American bleep."

On why he challenged a University of Utah ban on guns on campus:

"I told (then-U. President) Bernie Machen early on that the U.'s policy was against the law. Machen sued me. How can I say I disagree with the law, so I'm not going to obey it?"

Gay marriage/Utah constitution

On his opposition to a proposal to amend the Utah Constitution to ban gay marriages, which he deemed unconstitutional:

"I support traditional marriage and define marriages as a man and a woman, but the second part of that amendment was mean-spirited and hurtful. It wouldn't allow basic rights for gay couples — visitation, remains, funeral plans, financial matters."

Media shield laws

On why he favors protecting journalists and confidential sources:

"We in law enforcement have confidential sources. If we couldn't, nobody would come to us. It's the same thing for media. Some sources won't come to us; they'll only go to a reporter, because if they came to us and the case went to trial, there's the right to meet the accuser in court and they would have to appear."

Hate crimes

On why he supports legislation against hate crimes:

"It gives law enforcement tools to protect everybody. If a crime is committed based on bias or prejudice, it's against a lot of people, which makes it a greater crime and a greater threat to public safety."