In the wake of Newtown Connecticut shootings, the Board of Supervisors of East Coventry Township enacted a Second Amendment Preservation Resolution by a vote of 4-0, with Chairman Ray Kolb abstaining.
Supervisor Michael Moyer introduced the Second Amendment Preservation Resolution, which expresses deep regret over those lost to gun violence, but reaffirms the rights of law-abiding citizens.
“WHEREAS the People and the Board of Supervisors of East Coventry Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, while saddened and sympathetic to those people who have suffered tragedies related to the misuse of firearms are also deeply concerned that these tragic events will be used as excuses to infringe upon the constitutionally guaranteed individual right to keep and bear firearms, firearms accessories or ammunition; all of which infringements are in violation of the 2ND Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and Article 1, Section 21 “Right to Bear Arms” of the Pennsylvania Constitution.”
This Second Amendment Preservation Resolution lays out the constitutionality of protecting our rights from unconstitutional laws and regulations, and explains why they need to be resisted by employees of the municipality, along with the county and the state.
“WHEREAS The 2ND Amendment to the Constitution of the United States reads as follows, “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 Article 1, Section 21 of the Constitution of Pennsylvania states: Right to Bear Arms. ‘The right of the citizens to bear arms in defense of themselves and the State shall not be questioned.’”
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, THEREFORE, ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF EAST COVENTRY, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
1. That the Board of Supervisors of the Township of East Coventry reaffirms its full support of the constitutionally protected individual right to bear arms, including but not limited to the right to own and acquire ammunition and other firearm accessories;
2. That the Township of East Coventry opposes efforts by the federal, state or other local governments to restrict or infringe upon the right to bear arms by enacting laws, orders, rules or regulations regarding firearms, firearms accessories or ammunition as violations of the 2ND Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 21 of the Pennsylvania Constitution.
This resolution is not just a reactive challenge to the right of self-defense established by the Second Amendment, but is proactive in that it makes it their “official policy to cooperate with responsible organizations”. But they are not referring to other government or anti-gun organizations; they a referring to groups like, “the Boy Scouts of America, the National Rifle Association and other such organizations in their efforts to promote and teach firearm safety and the responsible use of firearms to the citizenry and residents of East Coventry Township and other communities.”
“That it shall be the policy of the Township of East Coventry to adopt or enact reasonable measures to promote the education about the nature and safe use of firearms through programs developed and presented by its police department or other organizations in order to enhance the public safety and discourage the unconstitutional enactment of any federal, state or local laws, orders, rules, or regulations in violation of the peopleʼs right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and/or the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
ACTION ITEMS
If you live in East Coventry Township or anywhere in Pennsylvania, contact the Board of Supervisors and thank them for their actions. But don’t just stop there contact your state legislator and let him or her know of your concern over federal actions to take away your 2nd Amendment rights and that you expect support of legislation reaffirming our rights to self-defense. Click here for contact information.
Maybe this is the Second Amendment Preservation Resolution you prefer or is it this one that we offer on our Model Legislation page but regardless take the time to get involved and introduce a bill or resolution to your local municipality, county and state government officials and ask they enact one.
To see what is happening with Second Amendment bills and resolutions around the country check out our Legislative Tracking Page.
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