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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNew Mexico counties declare themselves "2nd amendment sanctuaries"
While the New Mexico state legislature works to do what the federal government has failed to do - implement tighter gun control by expanding background check requirements sheriffs within the state are asking their counties to declare themselves 2nd Amendment Sanctuaries where only federal gun laws that they deem constitutional would be enforced.
Grant County, home to historic Silver City and portions of two wilderness areas, recently joined about 15 other New Mexico counties in passing such resolutions. At last Thursdays county commission meeting, two resolutions, brought by Sheriff Frank Gomez (elected as a Democrat) were discussed and voted on.
No. R-19-23 was in support of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and declaring Grant County to be a Second Amendment Sanctuary County.
No. R-19-24 was a resolution opposing legislation that would impose rules, regulations and restrictions exceeding federal law on all private firearm transfers between individuals, and referred to a bill requiring background checks for gun show sales.
Sheriff Gomez also opposes HB 87, which is intended to give law enforcement court-ordered authority to remove firearms from the homes of individuals deemed a potential high risk of violence, and is directed toward people involved in domestic violence and situations involving mental instability. (added edit)
Grant County is overwhelmingly Blue, but because supporters of the resolution had packed the house, the crowd was not representative of the majority of residents.
Opening of the news story in the online Grant County Beat by editor Mary Alice Murphy:
Proud Americans stood, hands on hearts, and proclaimed: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America " About 1,000 of them stood in the large conference room and in the halls of the Grant County Veterans Memorial Business and Conference Center. The sound filled the room and grew, phrase by phrase in unison, with a crescendo to "with liberty and justice for all."
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Impressive prose, perhaps even worthy of a Bulwer-Lytton Award. However, other attendees, including this resident of the Mimbres Valley, saw things a little differently:
"I attended the Grant County NM Commission meeting on Feb. 21, 2019 and witnessed the Trump base froth generated by emails from the local Chamber of Commerce CEO, Scott Terry, and NM District 38 Representative, Rebecca Dow (and possibly also the NRA?). It was not only ugly, it was scary. Some in the camo-wearing, mining company orange-vest crowd made 'almost threats' (e.g., "You try to get my gun and I'll come get you!" against the two liberal Commissioners and the 4 liberal speakers."
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Another attendee commented,
I think it is worth noting that those supporting these anti-background-check Resolutions had organized to completely fill the hall to SRO over an hour before the scheduled meeting leaving another large crowd of would be speakers outside, many of whom would have spoken against them.
It also seems relevant that the comments of these folks over that 4 hours were less about the proposed background checks and more about "Don't take my guns," the right to sell their property to their grandchild, and "creeping regulations," ignoring the facts of the legislative bills with which they did not seem familiar.
The resolutions were brought to a vote and passed 3-2. Democrats Javier Salas and Chris Ponce voted in favor, along with Republican Billy Billings. Democrats Edwards and Browne voted against.
Granted, theyre resolutions, not laws, but why did our Democratic sheriff and Democratic majority on the county commission suddenly defy the will of those who elected them?
How many counties in other states are enacting these resolutions?
What is behind these actions by county sheriffs here in New Mexico and in other states? It may well be connected to the philosophy of the Constitutional Sheriffs Association. According to politico.com:
The strange idea that unites all members of this movement is that a sheriff is the highest law enforcement officer within a countys borderssuperior not only to local police, but also to officers and agents of the federal government.]
Conspicuous members of this group include former Milwaukee County sheriff David Clarke and Joe Arpaio, convicted of violating a federal court order and pardoned by trump.
But the question remains: Why would law enforcement officers want fewer restrictions on the possession of guns that might end up pointed at THEM?
Coventina
(27,057 posts)I mean, I know it's not fair to stereotype, but those folks look like they WANT to be stereotypes!
Aristus
(66,286 posts)"Them's is how REAL Uhmurrikkkans look!"
3_Limes
(363 posts)I don't know why, but apparently being at least 40 Lbs. overweight is a strict requirement for 'real 'Murrican' status.
Maru Kitteh
(28,313 posts)and teenage girls!
Real Murrican's might eat a tater or a corn cob once in a while at a barrbeeQ or somthin' but thems Murrican vegetables so it's okay.
PasadenaTrudy
(3,998 posts)Go after their policy beliefs, but please leave body type out of the equation, thank you.
This is what rural folks look like all around the country. Your condescension is appalling. You go after what they look like instead of what their concerns are versus the legislation. This is what the gun control battle looks like at the local level in rural districts. These folks are swamped with disinformation by pro-gun interests and made fun of by the left who hate them for being who they are. How do we win if we alienate the very folks we need to convert?
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)Aristus
(66,286 posts)No point in even bothering.
I've been called a 'libtard snowflake' enough not to care about their delicate sensibilities over what we call them.
dalton99a
(81,392 posts)They are willfully ignorant and beyond the reach of logic or reason.
Moreover, they are pretty fucking vile.
theophilus
(3,750 posts)heartedly. If we stop trying to reason with others we are DOOMED to destruction as a planet and a nation. Let's have a little more patience for our own future and benefit, shall we?
llmart
(15,532 posts)Plus, there's always the Duck Dynasty look on some of them. Or a mullet.
3_Limes
(363 posts)In a way, they're creating a separate country for themselves.
Wanna have tons of guns and shoot all the time? Knock yourselves out! Move to one of these places, and enjoy. And free the rest of us from your nuisance to boot.
Sounds like a win-win to me.
El Mimbreno
(777 posts)I live there!
3_Limes
(363 posts)Sorry to hear about your situation.
PasadenaTrudy
(3,998 posts)I've been forgetting. I don't live in NM, but follow the news there. How can a county sheriff have this authority? This is so weird! Wonder how the new Gov is responding. Can she do anything?
El Mimbreno
(777 posts)Thomas Hurt
(13,903 posts)maxsolomon
(33,244 posts)The new laws do NOTHING to take your guns UNLESS you're the "individuals deemed a potential high risk of violence, and is directed toward people involved in domestic violence and situations involving mental instability."
are they all saying they might commit gun crimes because they're fucking crazy? or are they just wife beaters?
THINK, rustics.
forthemiddle
(1,375 posts)Sanctuary Cities?
Where is the law drawn?
Turin_C3PO
(13,909 posts)Were a liberal place, overall, but there are a fair amount of gun humpers and, unfortunately, they came out in droves.