Columbia County Joins 2nd Amdt. Sanctuaries Sheriff Hunter Silent on Raising Arms Against Feds
Posted February 7, 2019 06:12 pm
Columbia County Observer graphic | Photo: Specna
Arms
COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Last night, the Columbia County Commission (County 5 or The 5) brought out about 35 people to speak or observe the discussion and debate (there was no debate) on its resolution calling for Columbia County to become a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary County.
A Second Amendment sanctuary, which is also known as a gun sanctuary, refers to states, counties, cities, and other localities that have adopted laws or resolutions to prohibit or impede the enforcement of certain gun control measures perceived to violate the Second Amendment. (Wikipedia)
About 35 people came to see the gun sanctuary
discussion and vote.
Background
During the final 2019 (Dec. 19) official meeting of the Columbia County 5, Commissioner Sylvester "Bucky" Nash requested the County 5 direct County Attorney Joel Foreman to "prepare a resolution declaring Columbia County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County."
County Attorney Foreman had the resolution prepared and ready for prime time for the second meeting of 2020.
County 5 Opening Comments
Commissioner Nash listens to the speakers.
Commissioner Nash introduced the Sanctuary County Resolution: "... I feel that this board is committed to defending the Second Amendment at all costs."
Commissioner Murphy followed up, "I wish we had got it done earlier."
Commissioner Rocky Ford said, "I think it's a great thing to do."
Long time Commissioner Ronald Williams told the Board, "If you come to get my guns, you better bring [an] army with ya'."
Chairman Toby Witt, before opening the microphone to the public said, "I support it."
The Public
Ryan Drew addressed The 5. He told them he agreed with the resolution, but said it needs a section which states how the intentions of the resolution "will protect our rights if they were violated... It is very ambiguous as to how it will protect them."
Kyle Green addressed The 5.
Kyle Green, who is running for a seat on The 5 against Commissioner Williams, said, "If the federal government tried to come in and take away my guns it would be a fight to the end."
Kyle Spradley told The 5: "I'm solely responsible for the security of myself and my property. No one is deserving of anything I own without my consent. I have the innate right to protect myself and my property. There are protests against corruption all over the world, but it hasn't halted the continued aggression against them. They would not be so ineffective had the populace been armed."
There were others who came to the microphone in support and praised The 5 for having Columbia County become a Sanctuary County.
Questions for The 5
Commissioner Ron Williams listens to the
speakers.
Your reporter, who is a property owner and resident in the County, had some questions for The 5.
Your reporter asked, "What is a sanctuary county; what exactly does that mean?"
Commissioner Williams answered, "That means the board is standin' up and sayin' we are goin' to be a county that protects the second amendment and we will not pass laws against the second amendment."
Commissioner Tim Murphy listens.
Your reporter followed up, "So if the state or the federal government were to pass a law, it really wouldn't make a difference if you were a sanctuary county or not if somebody wanted to take assault rifles?"
Commissioner Williams answered, "Today, we're makin'' a stand that we would not tolerate it."
Your reporter asked, "So the Sheriff is going to come in and fight the federal government, would he, now that you are a sanctuary county?"
Commissioner Ford answered, "Other sheriff's in the United States have vowed that they will."
Commissioner Rocky Ford listens.
Your reporter followed up, "Will our sheriff come in and fight the federal government?"
Commissioner Ford responded, "I would hope that he would fight for the people of this county to protect their Second Amendment rights."
Your reporter: "Even against the federal government?"
Commissioner Ford: "Especially against the federal government."
Your reporter addressed The 5, "And everybody is in favor of that, the sheriff fighting against the federal government?"
Chairman Toby Witt listens.
Four of The 5 nodded that they were in favor. Commissioner Williams didn't move.
Your reporter addressed him directly, "Are you in favor of fighting the federal government?"
Commissioner Williams responded, "You understand what we're sayin' -- mostly unintelligible - we stand up - that's all it is."
Your reporter followed up, "So you're in favor of the Sheriff fighting the federal government?"
Commissioner Williams answered, "Yes sir."
Your reporter: "Thank you very much. Now we all know."
Sheriff Hunter Takes a Stand – Or Does He?
Sheriff Mark Hunter addresses The 5
Columbia County Sheriff Mark Hunter asked to be recognized before the County 5 voted: "Before you all vote, may I make a statement?"
Sheriff Hunter addressed The 5, "I am in full support of the resolution... I believe in states' rights and I believe in the right to bear arms. The best defense against a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. I whole heartedly believe that we have a right to defend our properties."
Sheriff Hunter was silent on standing up to the federal government.
Epilogue
Chairman Witt called for the vote.
It wasn't a surprise. It was unanimous.
Most of the attendees left the auditorium.
The 5 carried on with its business.
