The Constitution of the United States of America makes it perfectly clear that Americans have the right to bear arms – however, in case there was any question about that, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners just weighed in on the matter and affirmed the county’s support of the Second Amendment that grants people that right.
At the Guilford County Board of Commissioners’ Thursday, April 16 meeting, six of the nine commissioners declared their support of the amendment, but three commissioners questioned the rationale behind the gun-owner friendly motion.
Republican Commissioner Alan Branson brought the motion to the board and read it at the meeting, and he argued that, in this day and age when the Second Amendment often comes under attack, the county board would be wise to publically acknowledge its support.
The resolution, which recounts a little of the history of the amendment and the court proceedings upholding it, speaks of the board’s wish to “express a deep commitment” to protecting all of the rights in the Constitution. It stated that the Board of Commissioners “declares that Guilford County government will use all powers and authority to defend and protect the rights of all of our citizens,” and it “implores the North Carolina Legislature and the United States Congress to use all of their powers and authority to protect our citizens’ freedom under the Constitution and specifically the Second Amendment.”
All five of the board’s Republican Commissioners approved the resolution, as did Democratic Commissioner Kay Cashion; however, the other three Democrats – Commissioners Carolyn Coleman, Carlvena Foster and Skip Alston – did not. Those three didn’t object to the Second Amendment, but they questioned why the commissioners would even take the vote.
Coleman asked, “I’d like to ask why is this necessary – do we not afford enough Second Amendment rights through the Constitution as it is?”
Branson replied, “We certainly do, ma’am, but there have been certain instances throughout different states – not specifically North Carolina, but states that adjoin us – that have had opportunities to challenge this recently, and I think it’s just a good idea to reaffirm that we support our Second Amendment rights here in Guilford County.”
Foster also questioned the move, stating, “I’m not getting the full understanding of why we are doing this either.”
Alston had raised his concerns about the motion at an earlier meeting held to set the agenda for the April 16 meeting. Like the other two Democrats who voted no, Alston questioned why the Board of Commissioners should spend time reaffirming something that was ratified over two centuries ago.
Our first Amendment rights are under attack in a media driven blitz over a virus that has killed fewer people in North Carolina than the flu. Our rights to worship and to even pray are being attacked by an out of control governor seeking to gain political power. Our First Amendment rights are being trampled on by an executive order that may or may not have been legally put into action in NC. For Democrats and news media types, this is why people don’t believe that the government will honor the Second Amendment. We should ask the Board of Commissioners to reaffirm the entire Constitution.
Jesus take the wheel. People are paranoid about their guns! It’s my opinion that if it wasn’t in the Constitution they would still own them. There are people that live in the worst hoods that’s never and will never own a gun. Never can I remember anyone trying to take guns away. Assault weapons has been mentioned.Live by sword, die by one. Everyone knows the 2nd Amendment for God’s Sake.
To the 3 fools: It is absolutely necessary in this county, when our ex-con sheriff partially blocked them by banning the issuance of concealed carry permits “in the name of” the Coronavirus pandemic.
Our liberties come from God and attempts by man to strip us of them ought to be called out every time.
Aren’t they just the wonderful part of a group of commissioners being in unison.Foster,Alston and Coleman habitually are the ones that standout.They know that states and counties in neighboring states have tried to play games with the 2nd amendment.This is typical of these three who would rather be different.I hope and wish that we could get more Republicans involved with commissioners,state house and state senate. Thank you .
Let Alston, Foster, and Coleman know that the “reason for doing this” is no different than passing rulings regarding “hate” crimes or speech (with specific groups in mind), “minority” (MWBE) jobs/loans, “equality” for women/minorities/sexual orientation, “non-gender bathrooms”, etc. It’s about specifically affirming that this County government believes in the actual content of the Second Amendment as it was originally written and not as others interpret it in different time periods.
If a person breaks a law they can be caught, arrested, tried and possibly convicted with appropriate punishment so there is no reason to further label a law as a “hate” crime, or “against a law enforcement/government official”. If you are giving out loans or jobs they should be given to the contractor/business that best meets the work qualifications and bid process. Minority and Women’s Business Enterprise jobs and loans should meet those same objectives. Bathrooms were always open to whichever you wanted to go into and rarely did anyone get upset. If we’re all equal then we don’t need laws qualifying how equal we are or the special way your actions will be viewed if you are or aren’t in a specific group.
The point is just as people who claim they want “equality” by giving specific groups special privileges in order to emphasize the point of the law/ruling, the Commissioners wanted to be very adamant in their support of the Second Amendment at a time when people in our country are debating its meaning.