About six years ago, the Effingham County Board in Illinois passed a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” resolution. Shortly after that, Iroquois County followed. While similar resolutions had been around since 2013, the term “Second Amendment sanctuary” stuck and these counties across the country did the same thing. Today, well over half of America is covered by these resolutions.
In the face of a serious shortage of law enforcement resources of late, the borough assembly of Matanuska-Susitna in Alaska unanimously passed a resolution urging eligible residents to own firearms and ammunition.
How tight are law enforcement resources in the region? Imagine having only five LEOs to cover a geographic area the size of Arkansas. No surprise residents have become frustrated at the long delays in police response…if there’s a response at all.
So they passed a powerful, albeit symbolic resolution. Powerful because in this day and age, urging Americans to exercise their right to keep and bear arms is controversial to some.
And while the resolution is largely symbolic, its passage should send a message to bad guys. Hopefully it also sends a message to other jurisdictions around the country . . .
From Alaska Public Media . . .
The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly voted this week to encourage all eligible residents to own firearms and ammunition, as residents express concerns about crime and low Alaska State Troopers staffing in the area.
Assembly members Ron Bernier and Dee McKee cosponsored the resolution, which passed unopposed during a Tuesday meeting.
Some residents expressed concern at the Assembly meeting, questioning how the resolution would increase safety. Bernier said the resolution is meant to help deter crime throughout the borough, with a focus on outlying communities.
Just imagine if other cities, counties and states did the same by passing similar bold resolutions urging eligible Americans to embrace the Second Amendment, tool up and stock up on ammo.
Not only would it send a message to bad guys, it would drive operation like Everytown and the rest of the gun control industry positively apoplectic. More importantly, it might help generate positive conversations among those who are agnostic towards gun ownership and the right of people – including young people – to own firearms for lawful purposes, including self-defense.