By: David Tripp
4 Feb 2013
On Monday morning, February 4, 2013 the Board of County Commissioners in Pitt County adopted two resolutions aimed at re-asserting the rights pronounced in the Second Amendment.
The first resolution, “A Resolution to Preserve and Defend the US Constitution and NC Constitution,” passed by a vote of 6-3, with the Democratic members of the board opposing it.
Verification Citation/Source:
Resolution date passed: 4 Feb 2013
Vote Count: 6-3
A Resolution to Preserve and Defend the United States Constitution and North Carolina Constitution
Whereas: The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution 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: Article I, Sec. 30 in the NC Constitution 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: Our rights are given by Our Creator and listed in the Constitution of the United States as a limit to government; and
Whereas: A Militia when properly formed is in fact the people themselves … and includes … all citizens capable of bearing arms; and
Whereas: “well regulated” meant, that the militia i.e. the people must be well equipped; and
Whereas: It being “necessary to the security of a free State” meant that the right of the people to bear arms was, and remains, the ultimate barrier to government tyranny; and
Whereas: The lawless are unaffected by prohibitions to law abiding citizens natural rights; and
Therefore: The Pitt County Board of Commissioners resolve as representatives of the people to defend the 2nd Amendment and Article I, Sec. 30 of the North Carolina Constitution and will not consent to unconstitutional laws, executive orders, or foreign/domestic tyranny. Furthermore, the Commissioners call upon the Governor and General Assembly of North Carolina to pass legislation that will guarantee the protection of our God-given right to the defense of liberty and our persons for all North Carolinians; and
Be It Further Resolved, the County Manager be directed to see that no county paid staff participate in nor allow any county resources be used in the implementation or enforcement of any Unconstitutional law, executive order or executive directive that infringe on the God-given right to self-defense.
The second resolution, entitled “A Resolution to Protect the Privacy and Security of Law Abiding Gun Owners in North Carolina,” passed by 7-2. Newly-elected Republican Commissioner Tom Coulson gave an impassioned explanation for his support of this resolution.
Verification Citation/Source: Pitt County Board of Commissioners
Resolution date passed: 4 Feb 2013
Vote Count: 7-2
A Resolution to Protect the Privacy and Security of Law Abiding Gun Owners in North Carolina
Whereas: the people of this state have an inherent right to privacy; and
Whereas: the vast majority of gun owners are law-abiding citizens; and
Whereas: owning a firearm for the defense of one’s person, home, family and liberty is not the exercise of government privilege, but of God given right; and
Whereas: thepublic disclosure of gun owner’s personal information has resulted in slander as well as victimization by criminals; and
Whereas: the public disclosure of gun owner’s information also exposes a citizen who has chosen not to own firearms to risk of victimization by being identified by exclusion as unarmed; and
Whereas: law enforcement, detention staff and correction officers have become targets of threat and intimidation following the release of their personal information as gun owners and;
Whereas: 40 states and the District of Columbia have taken steps to make information concerning gun owners private, and only 10 states, including North Carolina, continue to treat gun owner information as a public record; and
Whereas: no public interest is served by the release of the personal information of private citizens that have committed no trespass of law; and
Therefore: The Pitt County Board of Commissioners resolve, as representatives of the people, to defend the safety and privacy rights of lawful citizens. Furthermore the Pitt County Board of Commissioners call upon the Governor and General Assembly of North Carolina to enact legislation protecting gun owners from undue and unwanted release of personal information by exempting said information from the public records laws..
