A Republican lawmaker has asked the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners to declare itself Minnesota’s first “Second Amendment sanctuary county.”
In a Monday letter addressed to the board, State Rep. Shane Mekeland (R-Clear Lake) expressed concern with the “anti-Second Amendment legislation” making headlines across the country.
“With this backdrop, we respectfully urge the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners to adopt language that would make its jurisdiction a Second Amendment sanctuary county,” he said.
The letter was signed by House Minority Leader Kurt Daudt (R-Crown), Sens. Andrew Mathews (R-Princeton), Michelle Benson (R-Ham Lake), and Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake), and Rep. Sondra Erickson (R-Princeton).
“Nearly 400 counties across the United States have already adopted laws or resolutions to prohibit or impede the enforcement of certain gun control measures that would violate the Second Amendment, including universal background checks and bans on modern sporting rifles,” the letter continues. “We look forward to doing our part as legislators to protect and fortify the Second Amendment at the state level.”
The letter was issued the day before Minnesota Senate lawmakers held a “violence prevention” hearing in Hibbing to discuss a number of gun-related bills that will be considered during the upcoming legislative session. At the hearing, Democratic lawmakers called for expanded background checks and “red flag” laws while Republicans announced plans to introduce constitutional carry and “stand your ground” bills.
“In the meantime, we encourage you, as Sherburne county elected officials, to provide leadership at the county level by doing your part to uphold the Second Amendment rights our shared constituents enjoy under our cherished Constitution,” the letter concludes.
I decided to ask a few colleagues to join me in sending a letter to the Sherburne county commissioners. pic.twitter.com/csp5LWomK8
— Shane Mekeland (@ShaneMekeland) January 20, 2020
Gun-rights activists across the country are calling on their local leaders to institute Second Amendment sanctuaries, areas that would prevent the enforcement of gun control measures.
The Minnesota lawmakers said they can assist by “providing draft language that can serve as a model for local implementation.”
The national debate surrounding gun control intensified Monday when more than 20,000 activists protested outside the Virginia Capitol in response to legislation being considered by the state’s Democratic leadership.
“The Democrat Party in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia are working hard to take away your Second Amendment rights,” President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter. “This is just the beginning. Don’t let it happen, vote Republican in 2020.”
The Democrat Party in the Great Commonwealth of Virginia are working hard to take away your 2nd Amendment rights. This is just the beginning. Don’t let it happen, VOTE REPUBLICAN in 2020!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 20, 2020
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Background Photo “Sherburne County Board of Commissioners” by Sherburne County.
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