RON BENNINGFIELD LaRue Herald-News
Jan 16, 2020
LaRue Fiscal Court passed a resolution Tuesday supporting 2nd Amendment rights as the county became the latest local government to pass regulation seen as a defense against possible federal or state legislation that could limit access to firearms, ammunition or gun accessories.
The action was viewed as a response to a bill reportedly being drafted that would allow an individual’s firearms to be taken if the person is deemed dangerous.
Part of the two-page resolution approved by LaRue County magistrates reads, “Therefore, be it resolved, the People of LaRue County, through their duly elected Fiscal Court, hereby designate LaRue County a Second Amendment Sanctuary in order to preserve for the People of, on, and in LaRue County, their rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America; furthermore, that the LaRue County Fiscal Court hereby expresses its intent to uphold the Second Amendment for the citizens of LaRue County, Kentucky, and furthermore, that the LaRue County Fiscal Court hereby opposes any infringement on the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.”
As soon as LaRue Judge-Executive Tommy Turner read the resolution and the court unanimously passed it, an audience of more than 100 people responded with applause.
Before the resolution’s passage, Turner said so-called Red Flag laws prohibiting gun rights would be made at the state legislative level, not the local level.
County Attorney Kyle Williamson said a state statute prohibits local governments from passing any regulations on firearms, doing so could be considered a Class A or B misdemeanor.
“That can be interpreted to go either for or against limitations,” Williamson said, “and with that in mind, I think showing support for the Second Amendment through a resolution is the best way of causing the least problem with the statute.”
Turner said the concerns began in Virginia when state legislature enacted bills banning certain types of weapons and ammunition magazines. As a result, a movement began that asked local governments to declare people’s right to bear arms to be one that should not be infringed upon.
Turner said the movement expanded into Kentucky and has spread across the state.
Kendrick Mather of Magnolia, the local representative for Kentucky United, the statewide group supporting the resolution, said the group at the national level has almost 84,000 members and at last count, the LaRue County Kentucky United Chapter had 774 members.
Sheriff Russell McCoy said, “My opinion is when we get under fire, I want somebody with an assault rifle backing me up. LaRue County is actually on the verge of getting more of these ‘happenings,’ I guess you could call it, with the expansion of gangs right next door in Hardin County, and if I need some help I would expect some decent people who have these weapons to come and help.”
The audience applauded McCoy’s comments. … to read the full article click here.
