White County officials are researching the possibility of declaring the county a Second Amendment sanctuary. County commissioners were asked about the issue during a public comment period at the end of their called meeting on Monday, Jan. 27. Board Chairman Travis Turner confirmed county attorney...
White County officials are researching the possibility of declaring the county a Second Amendment sanctuary.
County commissioners were asked about the issue during a public comment period at the end of their called meeting on Monday, Jan. 27. Board Chairman Travis Turner confirmed county attorney Mary Jane Henneke had been asked to gather information regarding Second Amendment sanctuaries.
While mostly symbolic, cities and counties in several states have approved similar resolutions, which essentially state that no one affiliated with the local government will enforce laws or regulations that are believed to infringe on the right to bear arms outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
This month Habersham and Stephens counties became the first in Georgia to formally adopt the status of a gun sanctuary.
Turner was adamant that commissioners support the Second Amendment, and that local officials have taken oaths not only to uphold White County codes, but also the state constitution.
“But, a step above that is to uphold the U.S. Constitution, which absolutely includes the right to bear arms,” he said.
Turner said the county wants to ensure whatever if may approve would hold up in court and to see what additional benefit the resolution would provide on its own.
“What does it do that we have not already made an oath that we would uphold, and that is including the right to bear arms?” Turner said in explaining the current step.
Cleveland resident William King, whose comment prompted the discussion, told commissioners it would make a necessary and public statement amid national talk of gun control laws.
“What it does do is it tells our politicians of the counties and the people that believe in that second amendment,” Kind said.
“If we don’t stand up and do something or say something, our rights are just keep getting torn away.”
At the meeting, White County Sheriff Neal Walden also offered his support for the Second Amendment.
“I took an oath when I was elected sheriff to uphold the laws of this state and the U.S. Constitution, which includes the right to bear arms, and I will not enforce any laws trying to override that.”
Commissioner Edwin Nix gave a blunt assessment about the debate over gun owner rights and gun control.
“We all know that the intent of some of the people in this country is that criminals have guns and that honest, God-fearing good people don’t. That’s what the consensus is,” he said. “Sooner or later, if that happens, we’re all in trouble. They may come and get my guns. They make take them, but it’ll be after I’ve exhausted all of my bullets.”
Turner did not give a timeline for when the study would be completed, but he said any plans to address the issue would be taken up as an agenda item at a commission meeting.