POMEROY — The Meigs County Commissioners recently approved a resolution declaring Meigs County to be a “Second Amendment Sanctuary County.”
It was commissioners Smith, Ihle and Jimmy Will who approved the resolution during their recent weekly meeting.
“In the wake of most publicized shootings the focus goes straight to the gun. An object that by itself is incapable of doing harm,” said Smith. “The focus should be on the mental state of the person who’s hand is holding the gun. When the focus is on the gun and not the real issue which is mental health, then those who suffer from mental health problems are marginalized. When we address the real problem and ignore political agendas then we will see progress in this era of violence.”
“The law abiding citizen should never be victimized by bad policies and politics,” concluded Smith.
The resolution, approved by unanimous vote, reads,
WHEREAS, The Ohio Constitution: Article 1, Section 4 states that “The people have the right to bear arms for their defense and security; and
WHEREAS, The 2nd Amendment of 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 2nd Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified in 1791, and is still the Law of the Land; and
WHEREAS, Article 6 of the Constitution of the United States of America states “This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding” and
WHEREAS, Article 15, Section 7 of the Ohio Constitution states: “Every person chosen or appointed to any office under this state, before entering upon the discharge of its duties, shall take an oath or affirmation, to support the Constitution of the United States, and of this state, and also an oath of office; and
WHEREAS, County Commissioner Randy Smith, County Commissioner Tim Ihle, and County Commissioner Jimmy Will have all taken such oath and believe it to be binding on them morally, ethically, and legally; and
WHEREAS, the Meigs County Commissioners fully affirm their support of the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms and stand firm against any law or ordnance on any level of government to remove that right from any law-abiding citizen without due process; and
WHEREAS, the Meigs County Commissioners will not authorize any county official to expend county funds for the purpose of enforcing illegal and or unconstitutional laws or ordnances that seek to limit a law-abiding citizens right to keep and bear arms; and
WHEREAS, the Meigs County Board of Commissioners believe the best way to prevent gun violence is to address the growing mental health crisis, hold those accountable who use a political agenda to disarm law abiding citizens, and the enforcement of already existing criminal laws that aim to stop violence and not to limit the inalienable rights of law-abiding citizens; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Meigs County Ohio derive economic benefit from lawful use of firearms, including hunting, recreation and shooting sports; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Meigs County Ohio by the authority granted the Board by the laws of the State of Ohio and the people of Meigs County, Ohio to stand and defend their rights and liberties, which are guaranteed by the United States and Ohio Constitutions, we hereby declare this Resolution to be a Second Amendment Preservation Resolution and declare Meigs County Ohio to be a “2nd Amendment Sanctuary County; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Board does hereby pledge not to appropriate funds, resources, employees, or agencies to initiate unconstitutional seizures in unincorporated Meigs County Ohio; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board demands that the state and national legislature cease and desist any further actions restricting the Second Amendment rights of citizens and instead address the real and fundamental challenges in our communities.
