The pro-Second Amendment resolutions sweeping across conservative pockets of New Jersey are generating lots of attention, and that’s about it.

Supporters of the resolutions acknowledge that the impassioned declarations carry no authority and do not override any federal or state gun control laws.

Still, the large crowds at public meetings and lengthy debates can make it look like something big is happening.

New Jersey’s first pro-gun resolution was adopted two months ago by the West Milford council. It declared the rural Passaic County municipality a “sanctuary" for a law-abiding gun owners, mimicking the provocative word choice on numerous pro-gun resolutions in Virginia and other states.

Ensuing resolutions have steered clear of calling themselves a sanctuary - a play on jurisdictions using the same term to express support for undocumented immigrants in their communities - with officials theorizing it might lead some to assume, mistakenly, that guns laws will not be enforced.

An exception was in Cape May County, where the freeholder board approved a pro-Second Amendment “sanctuary” resolution on Jan. 14, two weeks before President Donald Trump held a campaign rally in Wildwood.

Scott Bach, executive director of the Association of New Jersey Rifle & Pistol Clubs, told NJ Advance Media that the non-binding resolutions are serving a purpose.

“They raise public awareness of the issue. They make sure our government leaders are aware there’s a Second Amendment that needs to be upheld. They force lawmakers to take a position, and that’s a good thing” Bach said.

Assemblyman Parker Space, R-24th District, in hat, with Sussex County Freeholder Herbert Yardley at the township committee meeting in Stillwater, Jan. 21, 2020Rob Jennings / NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

When the Sussex County freeholder board voted 5-0 to declare Sussex a “Second Amendment / lawful gun owner county," following 80 minutes of discussion, supporters in the audience gave elected officials a rare standing ovation.

However, unlike pro-gun resolutions adopted elsewhere in New Jersey, the text of the board’s resolution did not condemn “red flags laws” allowing a judge to order the removal of weapons from someone judged a threat to themselves or others.

New Jersey’s red flag law took effect in September, with nearly 200 guns seized as of Jan. 22, and has been a rallying cry for gun control opponents.

The commentary surrounding pro-gun resolutions in New Jersey has been less strident than those in other states. In Virginia, a county sheriff was quoted stating that he would refuse to carry out a judge’s order to seize weapons if he considered it unconstitutional.

No officials in New Jersey have gone on record calling for anything like that.

The resolutions in New Jersey and elsewhere remain a source of concern for Brady, a Washington-based non-profit that works to prevent gun violence. The group is named after James Brady, who was President Ronald Reagan’s press secretary and among those shot in the 1981 assassination attempt that also wounded Reagan.

“While these resolutions may not appear to have an immediate or practical impact, we cannot ignore that the call to ‘oppose’ or even to imply that public safety laws will not be followed or respected is dangerous," the group’s attorney, Josh Scharff, said via email.

“All it takes is one instance where a law is unenforced, or laxly enforced, for a preventable situation to become a permanent tragedy. This is why we continue to encourage local citizens and governments to oppose these resolutions and the rhetoric they represent,” Scharff said.

The pro-Second Amendment resolutions in New Jersey have offered a reminder, perhaps not intended, that those who are generally supportive of guns are not necessarily on the same page on every issue.

In January, when the all-Republican, Stillwater Township Committee adopted its resolution, there was a single dissenting vote.

Stillwater Mayor Lisa Chammings told the audience that, while she supports the Second Amendment, she was not comfortable with the part of the resolution claiming that red flag laws had been “misapplied and misused” and run afoul of the U.S. Constitution.

Chammings, whose late father was Stillwater’s last police chief, alluded to incidents of domestic violence in the township, and also the suicide of a police officer.

The resolution was approved in a 3-1 vote.

Overflow crowd in Stillwater #NJ tonight as the township committee approves a pro-2nd Amendment resolution. Mayor casts lone ‘no’ vote after explaining she was not on board with the part objecting to red flag laws. pic.twitter.com/onUEQg5G9A — Rob Jennings (@RobJenningsNJ) January 22, 2020

For supporters of loosening gun restrictions in Democratic-controlled New Jersey, their best hope is someday getting a favorable court ruling that results in a weakening of the state’s laws, currently deemed the second-toughest in the nation.

The pro-Second Amendment resolutions play no part in that process.

Six years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court came very close to hearing a challenge to New Jersey’s “justifiable need” standard for granting a handgun carry permit. The lead plaintiff, John Drake of Fredon, ran a business servicing ATMs and routinely carried large amounts of cash, but was denied a carry permit.

“I do agree with showing support for any amendment, the Second Amendment included,” Drake said when reached by phone.

Asked about the resolutions, Drake said, “I think they’re beneficial, in that they promote a conversation on both sides.”

It is a conversation that is expected to continue.

Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @RobJenningsNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.