By Shereen Siewert
Lincoln County officials on Tuesday did not approve a plan to declare the county a Second Amendment Sanctuary, instead sending the proposal back to the administrative and legislative committee for further review.
A Second Amendment sanctuary refers to a city, town, or county that has adopted a resolution rejecting the enforcement of state or federal gun laws perceived to violate the Second Amendment. Targeted regulations commonly include red flag laws, universal gun background checks, and bans on assault-style weapons.
More than 400 municipalities in 20 states have now passed resolutions opposing the enforcement of certain gun laws passed by state or federal lawmakers. Merrill officials, earlier this month, adopted one such resolution presented by Merrill City Council member Steve Osness. The city’s resolution states that the citizens of Merrill are “opposed to any legislation considered by the Wisconsin State Legislature that would infringe on the right to keep and bear arms.”
But county officials voted 13-9 to send the proposal, which was brought forward by Calvin Callahan, back to committee.
In general, a Sanctuary resolution is not legally binding, but expresses the locality’s intent that its public funds not be used to restrict Second Amendment rights.
