CHILLICOTHE — Nearly three weeks ago, a small group of community members met with the Ross County Commissioners to discuss a proposal that would turn the county into a Second Amendment sanctuary.

But this week, another group of residents came out in droves to oppose the proposition.

On Monday morning, the commissioner's meeting room was packed full of Ross County educators, historians, lawyers, city and county employees, political activists and a reverend. While there was a handful of gun rights advocates in attendance, the meeting was dominated by residents imploring the commissioners to not sign a resolution.

"My opinion, my strong opinion, is that this is a huge mistake for Ross County to enter into," County Auditor Tom Spetnagel said. "Any suggestion that we should not follow the law is a real issue."

Growing concerns in the community

For nearly 45 minutes, individuals spoke to the Ross County Commissioners — Doug Corcoran, Dwight Garrett and Steve Neal — imploring them to follow state and federal laws.

Spetnagel, who was the first to speak at the meeting, reminded the commissioners and the public of the Oath of Office that all elected officials must take. The oath affirms that electees uphold the United States Constitution and uphold the law regardless of their personal feelings.

Ross County Recorder Kathy Dunn agreed with Spetnagel.

"Align yourselves with this issue as an individual citizen and lobby at the state and federal level," she said. "But please do not involve this issue at a city and county level."

Speakers instead suggested that those who believe their right to bear arms is being infringed upon should speak to their state and federal representatives, not local officials.

Concerns among community members if the declaration should pass include increased access to firearms, especially among the youth, increased suicide rates, increased violent crimes and decreased tourism.

Jack Burgess, a retired teacher, veteran and gun owner, said that he doesn't feel as if anyone from the United States government is trying to take away his gun. And while those in favor of the sanctuary declaration say it's primarily because of proposed red flag gun laws, Burgess hopes that if he's ever deemed to be a "danger" that the government confiscates his weapons.

Burgess went on to discuss the upcoming decision on whether Ross County will be a World Heritage Site and the county's status as a tourist destination. He believes declaring Ross County a sanctuary county will negatively impact economic development and growth in the region.

"What kind of message does this send?" he asked the audience.

Bart Henshaw, president of the League of Women Voters, read a statement declaring the organization's support of proposed state legislation on background checks and other gun control measures.

Other speakers highlighted the conservative values of current state legislators that would not allow certain gun control bills to pass.

"We here in Ross County are law-abiding," said Eric Hill. "We abide by the vote."

Community member and gun owner Ronda Kinnamon told the crowd that it's the job of the commissioners to write fair laws that do not conflict with state and federal laws. If they don't follow the Oath of Office, then it leaves the sheriff to determine what they'll enforce.

Sheriff George W. Lavender says that all law enforcement personnel with the Ross County Sheriff are bound by the U.S. Constitution. Therefore, they would not consider the Second Amendment sanctuary resolution as legally binding.

"I support the Second Amendment," Kinnamon said. "I also support the Fourteenth Amendment which promotes equal protection under the law."

Sending a symbolic message

For the last 15 minutes of the meeting, Mark Shepard of Ohio Stands United, a gun rights advocacy group, said that the organization is seeking the resolution mostly due to proposed red flag legislation because it lacks due process.

Shepard says that during his time in the U.S. military, he has witnessed first hand what can happen if a government removes weapons from citizens. He also said that he's had to confiscate soldiers' weapons if they were accused of domestic violence or assault.

Mike Johnson, another gun-rights activist, agreed with Shepard that red flag legislation is dangerous. He said that he could make a complaint against a neighbor and if a judge granted it, all firearms in the neighbor's home could be removed.

"There's not a gun problem with this country," Johnson said. "There's a moral problem."

But Ross County Prosecutor Jeffrey Marks says that this isn't necessarily true as no official red flag law legislation has passed. However, prosecutors have been told that they will have to provide evidence for an order to be issued.

A lawyer at the meeting told the crowd that red flag legislation does include due process in it as a defense is allowed.

"Until legislators decide what it will say, all anyone is doing is speculating," Marks said.

In states with red flag laws courts may issue special protection orders, often at the request of relatives or friends, that allows the police to temporarily confiscate firearms from people who have been deemed a danger to themselves or others by a judge.

Requests are often made over concerns of those expressing suicidal thoughts or who have discussed violence towards others. The authorities may also request an order. Guns are confiscated for a period of time dependent on the circumstance. As of August 2019, 17 states have enacted such laws.

After the August 2019 shooting in Dayton, Governor Mike DeWine announced a new gun reform plan that would include red flag laws and mandatory background checks on private gun sales. But in October he stepped back from the proposal, instead, he plans to expand the state's "pink slip" system that could place an individual in the hospital for up to 72 hours instead of taking the gun.

After just over 60 minutes of discussion, Corcoran concluded the meeting. The Ross County Commissioners have not yet determined how to act on the proposal and are not operating on any time frame.

Although there has been an increase in Second Amendment sanctuary counties since the initial Jan. 13 meetings, the declarations are merely symbolic.

But to gun rights activists, the declaration is an important statement to the state and federal government that they believe proposed gun control legislation infringes on their rights.

"All we're trying to do by making this show is to tell DeWine we this these laws are unconstitutional," Johnson said.

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