The Ross County Commissioners shot down a resolution Monday that would turn the county into a self-described sanctuary county.
In the meeting, the sole-Republican commissioner, Dwight Garrett made a motion in a packed room of supporters and opponents. After doing so, neither one of the democratic commissioners, Steve Neal, Sr., or Doug Corcoran would second the motion.
Corcoran told the crowd that the reason he would not support the measure is because county commissioners are not law makers. He said even if they passed such an opinionated-measure, the state could overturn it. He added, however, that he supports the Second Amendment.
Corcoran is right. Passing a measure does not “protect” or change the law. Had the legislation passed, the resolution does nothing more but state an opinion by three men.
A local group, known as Ohio Stands United, supplied the commissioners with a petition of nearly 1,300 signatures claiming to support the passage of the measure. The Guardian is not able to independently verify the number of signatures on the petition that were actually Ross County residents.
Another group, Moms Demand Action, which is a local chapter of a national organization, opposed the passage. Many of their supporters wore shirts and said that they desire “common sense” gun reform.
As previously reported by the Guardian, the county held meetings to consider the measures. Those meetings, like the one on Monday, were filled with passionate opinions.
Retired teacher Kathleen Burgess pointed out that some regulation is good for the betterment of society’s overall safety.
“In order to vote, citizens must prove our age and residence. In order to drive a car, we must prove age, residence, and demonstrate an understanding of traffic laws and driving competencies,” she told the three commissioners. “We have freedom of speech, but we cannot legally threaten others with harm or shout fire in a crowded theater. Likewise, the Second Amendment requires sensible regulation in order to preserve our right to life. It would be irresponsible to declare we are not bound by laws of this state and nation….Ross County officials must continue to foster respect for law and order….do not endorse that we believe we are above the law.”
Ross County Auditor Tom Spetnagel — who took over recently as the county’s chairman for the Democratic Party — echoed the same sentiment when he spoke.
“When we become an elected official we take an oath to uphold the law, so any suggestion that we do not follow any laws, whether they’re laws we like or dislike, it’s problematic to me,” said the man who controls the county’s checkbook. “I have an issue with the County Commissioners making a statement that they’re not going to follow certain laws. “