Washington County, TN approves resolution for support of 2nd amendment
The Washington County, TN Commission has approved a resolution in support of the 2nd amendment.
During Monday’s full county commission meeting, commissioners voted 12-2 in favor of support of the resolution that in part, calls for state and federal lawmakers to refuse support for any legislation that they say would infringe on the rights guaranteed to the citizens of Washington County.
Commissioner Jodi Jones motioned to table the measure at the beginning of the meeting, but that motion was ultimately rejected.
The full resolution is available below:
WHEREAS, the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, one of ten amendments that form the Bill of Rights ratified in 1791 by the United States Congress, provides “[a] well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”; and WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, Article 1, Section 24, states “[t]hat the sure and certain defense of a free people, is a well regulated militia; and, as standing armies in time of peace are dangerous to freedom, they ought to be avoided as far as the circumstances and safety of the community will admit; and that in all cases the military shall be kept in strict subordination to the civil authority”; and WHEREAS, the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, Article I, Section 26 provides “[t]hat the citizens of this State have a right to keep and to bear arms for their common defense; but the Legislature shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms with a view to prevent crime”; and
WHEREAS, the representatives of Washington County recognize the constitutional obligation and constitutional duty inherent in public service which is grounded in an oath of office and continues throughout the term of service; and WHEREAS, legislation infringing upon the constitutional rights of Washington County citizens has been, and may continue to be, proposed in the United States Congress and the Tennessee General Assembly; and
WHEREAS, after much consideration and deliberation, this legislative body has determined that it is in the best interest of Washington County to publicly proclaim its support of a citizen’s right to keep and bear arms, and requests that the duly elected representatives of federal and state government continue to adhere to their respective promissory duties to support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, and Constitution of the State of Tennessee to advance legislation to recognize and protect the unalienable right of the people of Washington County, Tennessee to possess and bear arms;
WHEREAS, Washington County requests that these duly elected representatives of federal and state government refuse to support any legislation that infringes on any rights guaranteed to the people of Washington County by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Tennessee;
WHEREAS, the Public Safety Committee, at its January 9, 2020 meeting, recommended consideration and approval of this resolution declaring support by the Board of County Commissioners of the fundamental constitutional guaranties of the Constitutions of both the United States of America and the State of Tennessee; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF WASHINGTON COUNTY, TENNESSEE THAT:
SECTION 1. Washington County hereby declares its support for the Constitution of the United States of America, and the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, specifically the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, and Article I, Sections 24 and Section 26 of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee, and its obligation to protect those rights.
SECTION 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after the date on
which it is approved by the County Mayor or as indicated by certification of the
County Clerk, as hereinafter set forth.
