The vote on August 27 was unanimous.

The Alpena County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution #13-23 to (1) “affirm the individual right to bear arms as delineated in the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Michigan” and (2) “oppose any new statutes at any level of government, state or federal, which will diminish the ability of the law-abiding to defend themselves and their families.”

In addition, the resolution states that “[T]here is no benefit to, nor justification for, removing firearms or other weapons from the hands of law-abiding citizens while the lawless still possess them”.

This courageous exercise of federalism – that would surely make Thomas Jefferson & James Madison proud – sites both the Second Amendment of the US Constitution as well as Article 1, Section 6 of the Michigan Constitution.

Local support will play a vital role in the success of those who want to protect the right to keep and bear arms. The resolution is a great first step, as it gets the commissioners on record in support of the Second Amendment. But, since it’s non-binding, it will require another step to have concrete effect. Cities within the county – and the county board itself – should follow up this resolution with ordinances prohibiting any cooperation with federal agents attempting to enforce acts violating the Second Amendment. Such an ordinance will give these statements teeth.

As Judge Andrew Napolitano has said recently, such widespread noncompliance will make federal gun control measures “nearly impossible to enforce.”  (video here)

Here are some concrete steps you can take in your own area.

1.  Contact your local legislators – County, City, Town – and urge them to introduce model legislation in support of the right to keep and bear arms

local legislation:
http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2ndamendmentpreservation

2.  Become a local leader.   If you’re dedicated to the right and keep and bear arms, we’ll provide you with the tools you need to not only act on your own, but to organize and lead others to help support these efforts.

contact us here and let us know – http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/volunteer

3. Share this information widely.  Please pass this along to your friends and family.  Also share it with any and all grassroots groups you’re in contact with around the state.  Please encourage them to email this information to their members and supporters.

For additional reading:

The 2nd Amendment Preservation Act IS constitutional

How to Respond to Unlawful Orders

The 2nd Amendment didn’t “grant” rights

 

Scott Landreth