MARIETTA, Ohio- Washington County is now a 'Second Amendment sanctuary county'.
During a meeting Thursday, the Washington County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the resolution. Washington County Commission President Kevin Ritter says a group of Washington County residents encouraged the board to pass a resolution.
"The group came to the previous board of commissioners about a year ago asking us to pass a resolution declaring the county a Second Amendment sanctuary county," he explained. "At that time, there was a different administration in the White House that were strong supporters of the second amendment; as a result, the previous board decided that such a resolution would be redundant."
The current board feels that President Joe Biden's administration has indicated they want to curb some of the second amendment rights, which is why the current board thought it was important to work with local citizens to pass a resolution.
Ritter stated, "I was troubled when I heard the President say in a rose garden speech two weeks ago that no amendment is absolute. I wonder if he includes in that description the 13th amendment, which outlawed slavery or the 19th amendment, which guaranteed women the right to vote. I do see the second amendment as an absolute; it is a fundamental right that we enjoy as Americans and it is one in Washington County that we are not willing to give up."
It is important to note, that the board lacks legislative authority. Ritter noted that the resolution passed today is symbolic in nature.
"It is important symbolism but it does not have the same weight as law," he explained. "What we are saying to Columbus and Washington D.C. is that we have a second amendment right in this country to bear arms and the folks in Washington County are not in a hurry to give up that right."
WLWT News reports that a bill was recently introduced in Ohio that would designate the state as a Second Amendment sanctuary. The bill would override federal laws and authority enforcement in regards to Second Amendment rights.
