2nd Amendment sanctuary resolution has support in Macomb County

Macomb County could become one of the first five counties in Michigan — and the first in the tri-county area — to become a so-called Second Amendment sanctuary county, if the board of commissioners approves a proposal at a future meeting.

But the proposal is drawing mixed responses from residents, with some ready to pull the trigger and others a bit more tepid to the idea, worried that the plan and its proponents may be only half-cocked — though even some of those folks still thought the issue was worth discussing.

"I believe you have the right to bear arms," said 58-year-old Michael Hadley of Clinton Township, who bought a gun for protection at home and because he has the right to have one under the Second Amendment.

"That's something that's been in the books since before we were all born," the former Marine continued, noting that he could get behind the largely symbolic resolution to curb any infringement on that constitutional right.

Macomb County Commissioner Phil Kraft isn't a gun owner yet, but he's proposing the Second Amendment sanctuary resolution.

"Why not here in Macomb?" said Kraft, a Republican. "I saw this resolution. A basic resolution in support of our Second Amendment right to bear arms. I know there are a lot of gun owners in Macomb County. They wouldn't want their Second Amendment right infringed upon."

Kraft said being a sanctuary county means that if a bill is passed at the state level — as an example, taking away semiautomatic rifles of the AR-15 variety — "we would oppose that and not provide the sheriff or other county employees to use taxpayer-funded resources to take your guns or whatever that law stated."

"It's more for the future — looking ahead," he said.

The term sanctuary county was new for many people in Macomb County who the Free Press talked with this week as the county board and a handful of others in Michigan — including St. Clair, Monroe, Delta and Marquette counties — start talking about resolutions declaring their county a Second Amendment sanctuary.

The Second Amendment sanctuary movement is gaining steam in the state with the Michigan for 2A Sanctuary Counties Facebook group having nearly 78,000 members.

But it's been in play nationally for much longer, particularly in Virginia — home of the National Rifle Association — where Democrats have gained control of the governor's office and both houses of the legislature and where officials are pushing for tighter state gun control laws.

The Associated Press reported last month that more than 100 counties, cities and towns in Virginia have approved Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions.

The resolutions vary by county, but most declare the intention of local officials to oppose "unconstitutional restrictions" on the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, the AP reported. It reported the movement began in 2018 in Illinois and spread to other states, including California, Colorado, New Mexico and Florida.

Opponents of the resolutions have been vociferous in denouncing the copycat resolutions as they pop up across the country.

Last month, the Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund and Moms Demand Action groups said in a release that they sent letters to national law enforcement groups and others urging them to condemn the recent wave of these resolutions passed by local governments.

They said the resolutions hold no legal merit and "set a dangerous precedent and undermine the rule of law by encouraging law enforcement officials to refuse to enforce gun safety measures that they incorrectly and unilaterally consider unconstitutional."

"To me, it's more of a political statement. (They're saying) I'm really going to honor the Second Amendment," Dave Chipman, a senior policy adviser with the California-based Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, who is originally from metro Detroit and spent 25 years as an ATF special agent, said of the sanctuary resolution movement.

However, he said the real test will be to watch what happens in Virginia. He said if the expected state restrictions pass there, "are sheriff's not gonna enforce those state laws?"

Dewayne Hastings, a former concealed pistol license holder, said he could support Macomb's proposed resolution "as long as it's done right."

The 49-year-old Warren man said he believes in the right to bear arms, particularly for self-protection in today's society. He said he carried guns until he was charged with a felony and is no longer able to do so.

Hastings, originally from Louisiana, said "our right to bear arms in the South is just like a way of life." But he said he also believes in some regulations on who can carry and in more thorough background checks that include a person's mental health status.

Jaclyn, a 21-year-old resident of neighboring St. Clair County where a similar proposal is under consideration, and who, like a few others, didn't want to provide her full name because of the sensitivity of the topic, supports the Second Amendment but also believes there should be limits.

"I think it's a nice thought," Jaclyn said.

She said she grew up on a farm and around guns and that her family hunted. She said there is a reason the country has the Second Amendment and the Constitution, but believes that certain people should not have guns.

"Even if we restrict good people from getting guns, the criminals are still gonna get them," she said.

Seventy-plus-year-old Elizabeth, from Clinton Township, went a bit further. Elizabeth said some weapons, such as an AR-15 type semiautomatic rifle, should not be in citizens' hands. She said there should be tighter background checks; that those with mental illnesses should not have access to guns; and that people should not be able "to buy a gun like you buy ice cream."

"I think it's a problem," she said. "It's an epidemic."

Brian Seibert, 35, of Mount Clemens said he supports a sanctuary resolution, adding "the way the society is becoming, people need to carry guns."

Barb McDonald does not have a gun, but would like to get a Concealed Pistol License. The 52-year-old Clinton Township resident said she supports the Second Amendment. She agrees with background checks, but said tightening gun laws may just "make more problems."

In a statement, Kraft said his proposed resolution "sends a clear message to our state and federal leaders that Macomb County will not allow our Second Amendment right to be violated in any way. We took an oath when we were elected to uphold and defend the United States Constitution and the Constitution of the State of Michigan. Approving this resolution shows the residents of Macomb County that we oppose any attempts to undermine our Rights."

County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said he doesn't see any changes in gun laws on the horizon in Michigan like in Virginia. He said he supports the U.S. Constitution and believes people have a right to bear arms as in the Second Amendment. But he has some questions about Kraft's proposal.

He said Kraft didn't reach out to him about the proposed resolution. Upon reading it, Wickersham said he would want to discuss some of the last three paragraphs.

The proposed resolution states the county board would affirm "its support to the sheriff to exercise sound discretion to not enforce unconstitutional firearms laws, or laws that do not allow for due process and that are not in line with the Bill of Rights."

It also states that the county board "will not appropriate any funds for the enforcement of any unconstitutional firearms laws, or laws that do not allow for due process and that are not in line with the Bill of Rights."

And it says the county board "standing in solidarity with all law abiding citizens of Macomb County to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and of the State of Michigan, hereby opposes the enactment of any legislation that would infringe upon the right of the people to keep and bear arms, and consider such laws to be unconstitutional and beyond the scope of lawful legislative authority."

These paragraphs also troubled some commissioners at Wednesday's board meeting, where more than dozen residents spoke for and against the proposed resolution. The board tabled the resolution to an undecided date, possibly to discuss wording it might agree on.

Retired nurse Suzanne Wilson of Romeo told the board she has no quarrel with the Second Amendment, but she had some concerns that proposed resolution made no distinction on the types of firearms to be covered.

Carole Chi, chairwoman of the Sterling Heights Democratic Club and a retired schoolteacher who has participated in active shooter drills, said the proposed resolution was “shocking and unnecessary” and gives a “bad perception of Macomb County to the rest of the world.”

But Elizabeth Hamilton, 59, of Clinton Township fully supported it, saying she has a CPL, is an NRA member and has an AR-15, AR-20, revolver and a shotgun.

“Guns do not kill people. People kill people, that’s what you have to keep in mind,” she said. “We need a sanctuary for gun owners like me. I’m never gonna give up my guns no matter what anyone says.”

Wickersham said he could see this as a political maneuver because it is an election year and people may want to know where politicians stand on issues. In Macomb County, all elected officials except for the county executive will be on the ballot this year.

County Executive Mark Hackel, the former sheriff, said county board resolutions are "feelings of support." He doesn't veto resolutions, like he can ordinances, saying resolutions don't have the effect of law or any binding effect.

"The Board of Commissioners, as a body, that's their position, not necessarily the county's," Hackel said.

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Elsewhere in Michigan

Monroe County Commissioner Greg Moore Jr., a Republican, said he plans to introduce a resolution at his board's regular meeting Jan. 21.

He said the final wording is still being worked out. He said officials want to make sure they don't legally overstep their bounds or hinder grant funding for the Sheriff's Office.

"The thought process behind this is every county commissioner on our board swore an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Michigan Constitution," said Moore, who is "unabashedly pro-Second Amendment," a gun owner and who has a concealed pistol license. "One tenet of both is the right to bear arms. This really started out a resolution in support of the Second Amendment."

Moore said he's received "99% support across the board" since first talking about introducing this a few weeks ago, adding he didn't think this was a divisive or partisan issue.

Moore said he was not aware of any Michigan counties that had passed a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution yet.

Delta County Commissioner David Moyle introduced a similar resolution in late November. The county board in that Upper Peninsula county is to discuss a revamped version of it this week, though no vote was expected, he said.

Moyle — a Democrat, a gun owner and a CPL holder for almost 20 years — said the original resolution was based on one from a nearby neighbor, Florence County, Wisconsin. It's been revamped, he said, with the sheriff helping with the rewrites.

The Florence County Board of Supervisors approved its resolution in November and was to send it to all 71 counties in that state.

Moyle said there is nothing in his proposed resolution "that would allow any special favor to anyone who carries a gun or weaken any laws. It's not weakening background checks or gun control measures. It won't allow anybody to carry anywhere. It's not cutting any corners or encouraging open carry."

He said the resolution, for which he is getting backlash, is to let future lawmakers know if they come up with a new law, to make sure it's in line with the Fourth and Sixth Amendments.

Given what is going on in other states, Moyle said he wanted to be proactive.

"It's more of a symbolic gesture than anything," said Moyle, who added that he supports background checks and common sense gun legislation.

More: Gun laws in Michigan: Who can buy, background checks, legislative action

Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @challreporter.