I am thankful to have found sanctuarycounties.com a few months ago. I have lived in Ross County in the state of Ohio for most of my life. The Buckeye State is the only state I have ever gotten to truly know. What I will present in a couple links are recent examples of a governing body failing to understand the importance of a situation regarding the rights and freedoms of the American people.
Commissioners held a vote on March 2 to determine if Ross County would become a Second Amendment Sanctuary County. The measure was defeated by a vote of 2-1. Though he is pro-gun, Dwight Garrett stated that the Commissioners aren’t lawmakers and that their job is to abide by the Ohio State law. He added that the state has the authority to overrule any resolution for a Second Amendment Sanctuary.
Reaction from a Resident
Living in Ross County, I am very disappointed with the way the governments of Ross County and the city of Chillicothe have acted recently. However, I can’t say I’m surprised. For many years I’ve become unsatisfied with the way Ross County’s government operates. Many issues have come and gone without a proper resolution being reached in this county.
Long story short, Ross County and the city of Chillicothe decided long ago not to fight for our rights. There is a lack of understanding and respect for the United States Constitution if you enter Ross County. Actions speak louder than words, and the actions of city and county leadership here speak loud enough to me.
Through their actions on unimportant issues and their inaction on important issues such as protecting our rights, they are sending the wrong message. For them to pretend as if they speak for the people of Ross County is sadly a misrepresentation of us.
Chillicothe has developed a negative reputation in the past two decades alone. The city’s culture has an identity crisis, having only restaurants and car dealerships to show for its efforts. John Parsons, Roger Moore, the “Missing Women of Chillicothe” saga, drug abuse epidemics and other similar stories define this city’s legacy.
Ross County Auditor Tom Spetnagel recently said this during a meeting: “When we become an elected official we take an oath to uphold the law, so any suggestion that we do not follow any laws, whether they’re laws we like or dislike, it’s problematic to me. I have an issue with the County Commissioners making a statement that they’re not going to follow certain laws.“
More Work Must Be Done
I applaud and appreciate the efforts of patriot groups like Ohio Stands United. However, in cases like Ross County’s, more work must be done to confirm its Second Amendment Sanctuary status. There has to be a stronger willingness to protect the rights of the Ross County people. My hope is that groups like Ohio Stands United will be more present in my home county going forward.
The truth is that our elected officials took an oath to uphold and defend the United States Constitution first and foremost. The Ohio State Constitution doesn’t have the authority to overrule the U.S. Constitution. This is especially true if unconstitutional laws are passed to amend Ohio State law. Regardless of people’s feelings or interpretations of the law, the U.S. Constitution is the law of the land.
People don’t blindly follow laws just because the state government passes them. It is important to educate the American people on what our rights are and why the U.S. Constitution is still relevant today. That includes the Second Amendment, which says that we have a right to bear arms. I am practicing my First Amendment right to openly question the leadership in Ross County, peacefully and respectfully.
I see every county around Ross passing resolutions to declare their support of our most basic rights. The inability to understand and respect these basic rights should concern everyone living in Ross County. It is time for South-Central Ohio to wake up, because our rights are under attack.