Sheriff Candidate David Thoroughman was the only citizen present to address Commissioners in regards to the proposed 2A resolution. (Portsmouth Daily Times. January 16, 2020)
“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. “
– Ross County Ohio Auditor Tom Spetnagel (“Ross County shoots down Second Amendment Sanctuary.” The Guardian. March 12, 2020.)
I asked the following question of the Scioto County commissioners during their July 14, 2022 meeting: “Any news on rescinding the Second Amendment Sanctuary? Do you still feel red flag laws are worthless?”
My question was a followup to the commissioners' comments during their previous meeting when I asked about the possibility of rescinding the designation. Commisioner Bryan Davis said then that red flag laws do not work and that he still strongly supported the Scioto Second Amendment Sanctuary. Commissioner Scottie Powell echoed Davis's beliefs.
The July 14 Meeting
Commissioner Scottie Powell: I think we covered this during our last meeting. Nothing's changed since then. I would encourage you to reach out to your state legislators. They have the ability to change the laws in the way you would hope to see them move. We don't create the laws here in this room. So, I would encourage you to reach out to Representative Baldridge or Senator Johnson or the governor's office if you would like to see something change in terms of how the gun laws are handled in the State of Ohio.
Commissioner Bryan Davis: I'll add to that. If we were to vote to rescind our Second Amendment Sanctuary in the county, I would vote “no” to rescind. I don't know if that is something we would like to visit at a later meeting ... My opinion on red flag laws has not changed. It's a matter of the heart. It's a matter of mental health ... The carnage that's being caused is by individuals that are mentally ill, do need mental health services, and/or are just evil people ... At the core of it all is sin. Period ... When there are politicians making comments on national news to get in people's faces to stand and fight and to do things like that, causing hysteria, causing people who are just waiting for marching orders to do some of the things that they're doing, that's part of the problem. Everybody needs to see it for what it truly is, quit blaming the inanimate object ... for what an animate object, being a person with ill intent is causing. I'll leave it at that.
Powell: To insure there is no question on where this board stands, would you like to make a motion on not rescinding it (Second Amendment Sanctuary)?
Davis: Sure. I'll make that motion. I would rather to vote to reaffirm. I would make a motion to reaffirm our stance as a Second Amendment Sanctuary county.
Commissioner Cathy Coleman: I'll second.
All three commissioners voted in favor.
Powell: So now there is no questions. We know where we currently stand, Frank. By all means contact some other representatives regarding your concerns.
Ross County, 2020
You may be interested in what happened when Ross County commissioners attempted to pass a Second Amendment Sanctuary designation.
When the Ross County Commissioners shot down a resolution in March 2020 that would turn the county into a self-described sanctuary county, the sole-Republican commissioner, Dwight Garrett made the 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.
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.
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.”
(Staff. “Ross County shoots down Second Amendment Sanctuary.” https://sciotovalleyguardian.com/2020/03/02/ross-county-shoots-down-second-amendment-sanctuary/. The Guardian. March 12, 2020.)
My Take
First of all, the Scioto commissioners – all Republicans – assume they speak for the citizens of the county about what is clearly a political issue. Commissioner Davis even calls it their “stance” on legislation to fight gun violence. No public meeting in Scioto was scheduled to address the matter of the designation … ever. Since their declaration in 2020 and now in 2022, the commissioners have taken it upon themselves to issue the sanctuary decree on behalf of the people in the county.
Second, what exactly is the Second Amendment Sanctuary as it relates to the county? I have never seen the actual designation. A broad statement was issued by the commissioners and now reaffirmed, but what does it actually say? No one knows. What does it attempt to do?
They claim the designation has no legal authority and is not law, yet such a defiant political statement should be clearly issued, debated, and understood before passage and affirmation. This rush to judgment was spurred by fears of Gov. DeWine's proposed reforms. Tell me it's not political, and I fear you may have a bridge across the Ohio into South Shore you are interested in selling.
One thing we do know is that Davis has strong beliefs about “politicians getting in people's faces” and “doing things that cause hysteria.” I cannot help but wonder what politicians he refers to who are giving others “marching orders”? The only such orders I am aware of were given by Trump to take the Capitol on January 6.
I wonder what Davis believes are the “marching orders to do some of the things that they're doing.” How does he see this “hysteria”? What politicians cause what hysteria? He clearly states the “inanimate object, the gun, has nothing to do with the epidemic of gun violence in the United States. He blames it all on evil and sin. This is a broad statement that I assume he believes includes all deaths and destruction resulting from a firearm, including suicides, homicides, and accidents.
Finally, Commissioner Powell wants me to take my concerns for their actions to “other representatives.” The Scioto commissioners chose to pass this designation, and that is my chief concern as a lifelong citizen of the county. Why pass the buck and why brazenly reaffirm their sanctuary only to deny any responsibility for its sacred place in Scioto County? They say they support all amendments to the Constitution, yet they choose to pass opinion on the hotly debated issue of gun measures.
The hypocrisy is evident: the commissioners want to make policy statements that reflect their personal, political stances as officials who were supposedly elected to control budgets; approve zoning; approve annexations to cities and villages; and set overall commissioning policy. How can three such officials overstep and use their offices to influence matters such as their stance to underscore resistance to much-needed reform? I believe I know -- because in total control, they enjoy power without question or without significant checks and balances of their party views.
Even though many people in Ross County believed a need for the sanctuary proposal was a way to protect their right to bear arms, those opposed to the resolution responded to accusations from some pro-gun speakers claiming that they are unAmerican, socialists, or against the Constitution. The opponents also took the time to elaborate on the role of the commissioners as a local body rather than a state entity.
"I am a person for the law," said League of Women Voters President Bart Henshaw. "Those of us who are opposed to this do not come here with threats. We came here to ask you to do what's right."
(Toria Barnhart. “Ross County drops 2nd Amendment sanctuary plan.” Chillicothe Gazette. USA TODAY NETWORK. March 03, 2020.)
I close by asking which county is more responsive to its citizens and is more concerned about the real message that a Second Amendment Sanctuary designation sends. Scioto or Ross? Also, which county accepts ownership of its message and does not tell those opposed to look elsewhere for redress? What buck? Where does it stop? I think you know.
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