Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Panel to study gun sanctuary proposal
BENTONVILLE — The Quorum Court’s Committee of the Whole on Tuesday night delved into a Second Amendment/Bill of Rights sanctuary discussion, and decided to form a subcommittee to study the situation.
The county’s Libertarian Party submitted a proposed Second Amendment/Bill of Rights sanctuary ordinance to the Quorum Court last month, but justices of the peace voted to table it Tuesday night. The committee is comprised of 15 members of the Quorum Court.
Justice of the Peace Tom Allen suggested forming a subcommittee to study the issue. How big the subcommittee will be and when it will meet will be discussed at the Quorum Court’s meeting Feb. 27. Two justices of the peace asked County Attorney George Spence if he would look at crafting an ordinance.
The Quorum Courtroom on the third floor of the County Administration Building was packed with residents, some trickling into the hall.
Michael Kalagias of Rogers was in favor of the proposed ordinance. The ordinance as is wouldn’t make the county sovereign above the state, he said.
“An ordinance has meaning,” he said. “A resolution is just words to hide behind.”
Dustin Craig of Siloam Springs also spoke in favor of the ordinance saying, “A resolution is as worthless as the paper it’s written on.” Other people who favored an ordinance said a resolution “has no teeth.”
Several people spoke against the ordinance and resolution, saying neither was needed because of protections already enshrined in the U.S. Constitution and the Arkansas Constitution.
Spence drafted a one-page resolution he said the Quorum Court could consider. He also said told the justices of the peace they had the option to not do anything.
Spence’s resolution mentions the the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 2, Section 5, of the Arkansas Constitution.
Justice of the Peace Joel Edwards said he was worried about unintended consequences passing an ordinance might cause. He was in favor of a resolution. Justice of the Peace Pat Adams also said he wasn’t in favor of an ordinance, but would back a resolution.
Scott County passed a “Bill of Rights Ordinance” last month saying county employees could be fired or fined if they enforce gun restrictions the county deems unconstitutional. Scott County employees who violate Ordinance 2020-2 are subject to being fired and fined up to $500.
Independence County recently passed a “Second Amendment County Resolution.”
Arkansas quorum courts shouldn’t attempt to pass gun sanctuary ordinances that conflict with state or federal law, Mike Rainwater, attorney for the Association of Arkansas Counties Risk Management Fund, told Arkansas’ 75 county judges in a Feb. 6 letter.
Instead, they could pass a resolution if they want to voice their support for the Second Amendment, Rainwater wrote. Rainwater provided a draft resolution for counties to consider, but he noted neither the association nor its Risk Management Fund were taking a stand on the issue.