Rutherford County, North Carolina—On July 1st, 2019, the Commissioners in Rutherford County, North Carolina voted to let freedom ring a little early.
The Commissioners issued a public statement declaring the county to be a Second Amendment sanctuary.
While the Commissioners have no legislative or governing power, they said in their statement that their move represents the voices of the voters who elected them.
Adding to the great news, their local Sheriff, Chris Francis, came out in full support of the declaration.
Francis said, “I think the people have been concerned, especially by the federal government, believing the federal government will come and take their guns,” Francis said. “You have to understand, in the South and especially in rural areas, you have to protect yourself. And I’m not talking about vigilantism but being able to defend yourself. I truly believe the Second Amendment means a lot to Western North Carolina.”
Residents interviewed seemed to be in favor of the Commissioners and their stand for gun owners and gun rights.
Tiffany McEntyre, a six-year resident of the county, said, “I think it’s important for people to have the option to bear arms.”
One couple, Fred and Michelle Hafezi, who were in the area looking for a retirement home thought that it was a terrible idea.
“I’m not a big supporter of gun rights anyway,” Michelle Hafezi, a former teacher, said. She called the move a “little bit inappropriate.” “They need to back away a little bit,” she said.
Too bad she’s missed the boat, as hundreds of teachers nationwide are willingly training to carry weapons in their classrooms to stop mass-murderers intent on killing innocent people.
And aren’t there any quiet, peaceful places to live in the urban paradise of Raleigh where she currently lives? Funny how liberals always find their way to gun-friendly areas when they want a safe, quiet place to retire!
Former Democrat Party chairman Mark Brown was quick to point out that their statement wasn’t legally binding, saying, “The county commissioners have no jurisdiction whatsoever in these matters,” he said.
He ignores the trend that is sweeping the nation, as more and more local authorities are taking bold steps to nullify bad laws. Sheriffs and mayors in states all across the country are standing up against tyrannical state and federal law and saying, “Not in my town. Not in my county.”
These brave officials are the first line of defense for the grass roots gun owners. We already know that leftists in urban areas think guns are terrible. But out in the rural, self-reliant areas, elected officials aren’t so quick to throw out the gun rights of the citizens who have elected them and we’re darn proud of them.
If you’re interested, the text of Rutherford County’s Declaration is below:
Resolution declaring Rutherford County a Second Amendment sanctuary
WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States is the Supreme Law of our nation; and
WHEREAS, the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America states: “A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Constitution, Article I, Section 30, states: “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; and, as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to liberty, they shall not be maintained, and the military shall be kept under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power. Nothing herein shall justify the practice of carrying concealed weapons, or prevent the General Assembly from enacting penal statutes against that practice; and
WHEREAS, the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners is concerned about the passage of any bill or legislation which could be interpreted as infringing the rights of the citizens of Rutherford County to keep and bear arms or which may unduly restrict their right to the same; and
WHEREAS, the criminal misuse of firearms is not a reason to infringe the rights of law abiding citizens of Rutherford County; and
WHEREAS, the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners wishes to express its deep commitment to the rights of all citizens of Rutherford County to keep and bear arms; and
WHEREAS, the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners wishes to express opposition to any law that would unconstitutionally restrict the rights under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and under the North Carolina constitution of the citizens of Rutherford County to keep and bear arms; and
WHEREAS, the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners wishes to express its intent to stand as a Sanctuary County for Second Amendment rights and to oppose, within the limits of the Constitutions of the United States and the State of North Carolina, any efforts to unconstitutionally restrict such rights, and to use such legal means at its disposal to protect the rights of the citizens to keep and bear arms.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board of Commissioners of Rutherford County:
That the Rutherford County Board of Commissioners hereby expresses its intent to uphold the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Rutherford County and that public funds, resources, employees, buildings or offices not be used to restrict Second Amendment rights or to aid or assist in the enforcement of the unnecessary and unconstitutional restriction of the rights under the Second Amendment of the citizens of Rutherford County to keep and bear arms; and
That the Board of Commissioners hereby declares Rutherford County, North Carolina, as a ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary.”
Adopted this the 1st day of July, 2019.