Board of Commissioners to consider resolution declaring Iredell a ‘Constitutional Rights Protection County’

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman
Pictured (from left) are Iredell commissioners James Mallory, Ken Robertson, Marvin Norman, Tommy Bowles and Gene Houpe.

FROM STAFF REPORTS

The Iredell County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing next week to allow the public to weigh in on a resolution declaring Iredell a “Constitutional Rights Protection County.”

“It is the intent and desire of the Board of Commissioners that this action will be seen as a measure to formally assure our citizens that the protection of their constitutional rights is of utmost importance,” County Manager Beth Jones said in a news release.

The public hearing will be held during the Board of Commissioners meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, at the Iredell County Government Center in Statesville.

During the board’s meeting earlier this month, Sheriff Darren Campbell asked commissioners to pass a resolution designating Iredell as a “Second Amendment Sanctuary,” as several other counties in North Carolina have done in response to gun control legislation proposed in Virginia.

The resolution under consideration by commissioners vows the county will oppose “any efforts to unconstitutionally restrict such rights, and using the legal means at its disposal to defend and protect the rights of the citizens, including the second amendment right to keep and bear arms,” Jones explained in the news release. 

Proposed Resolution

RESOLUTION OF THE IREDELL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IN SUPPORT OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AND DECLARING IREDELL COUNTY AS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS PROTECTION COUNTY

WHEREAS, the elected officials of Iredell County are sworn to support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States and the State of North Carolina, and as such, the Board of Commissioners offers forth this resolution as an action to ensure the constitutional rights of the citizens of Iredell County are protected; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners recognize the Constitution of the United States as 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 Supreme Court of the United States has held that the Second Amendment protects an individual’s right to possess a firearm, regardless of whether that person is or is not affiliated with service in the militia, and the individual’s right to use that firearm for traditionally lawful purposes, including as self-defense in their home; and

WHEREAS, the criminal misuse of firearms is not a reason to infringe the rights of law-abiding citizens of Iredell County; and        

WHEREAS, pursuant to the oaths taken, the Commissioners wish to express their deep commitment to protecting all constitutional rights of the citizens of Iredell County and oppose any law, regulation or other act that would unconstitutionally infringe on the rights of the law-abiding citizens of Iredell County; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioners, together with the Sheriff and deputies of Iredell County, are concerned about the passage of any bill or legislation which could be interpreted as infringing the rights of the citizens of Iredell County to keep and bear arms or which may unduly restrict their right to the same.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Commissioners declare Iredell County a “Constitutional Rights Protection County” and as such, the Commissioners hereby express their intent to use all power and authority at their disposal to uphold the constitutional rights of the citizens of Iredell County; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Commissioners, with the full support of the Sheriff of Iredell County, urge the North Carolina General Assembly and Congress of the United States to use all power and authority to protect our citizens’ freedoms and rights pursuant to the Second Amendment of the Constitution.

Adopted this the 4th day of February, 2020.

                                                                      

________________________________

James B. Mallory III, Chairman

Iredell County Board of Commissioners

 

Attest:

 

_______________________________

Amy B. Anderson

Clerk to the Board of Commissioners

3 thoughts on “Board of Commissioners to consider resolution declaring Iredell a ‘Constitutional Rights Protection County’”

  1. Frank L Johnson says:

    This is total horse hockey. Do you think they are so cruel that the would make this type if statement ro let school shooters know they are all in. They are simply playing with themselves. This is driven by the same people who supported the fiasco in Charlottsville. Our commissioners swallowed the bait and it is shameful, self righteous and grovelling all at the same time.

  3. Janith Jones Huffman says:

    Other than approving policies regarding weapons on county property, the County commissioners have no enforcement powers that I am aware of regarding weapons. This resolution seems unnecessary. There are many parents and grandparents who would rather see efforts to protect citizens particularly school children. It seems they should spend their efforts on protecting our school children by funding an SRO at Troutman Elementary. The majority of those students do not live in Troutman. A huge problem is gun owners do not properly secure their weapons. Ask the Sheriff how many students have brought guns or other weapons to school in the last few years.

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