Haywood commissioners to hear 'Constitution protecting' resolution on Monday
The Historic Haywood Courthouse fills up prior to the Jan. 21 meeting.
Cory Vaillancourt photo
While it’s not exactly a “Second Amendment sanctuary” resolution, a proposal to declare Haywood County a “Constitution Protecting County” does include some explicit language in regard to the Second Amendment and will be heard by commissioners for a possible vote at their next meeting Monday morning.
On Jan. 21, hundreds of people showed up to the most recent commissioner meeting, and more than two dozen addressed the board during the public comment session. The overwhelming majority of speakers were in support of a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution.
Reactions by commissioners were mixed; while all declared themselves to be gun owners and Second Amendment supporters, not all were explicitly in favor of a resolution for a variety of reasons — namely, that it would be purely symbolic and could result in a backlash from gun control advocates.
The resolution reads, in full:
“Resolution Declaring Haywood County a ‘CONSTITUTION PROTECTING COUNTY’
Be it known that after over 230 years the United States of America continues to be the longest on-going constitutional republic in the world.
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WHEREAS, our founders fought, bled and died for independence from a tyrannical English government that imposed its will on and extracted taxes from its people without representation; and
WHEREAS, being aggrieved and repressed by the English action, this nation declared its Independence on July 4, 1776; and
WHEREAS, after gaining independence this nation adopted as the “supreme law of the land,” the United States Constitution which is the basis of this miracle of America; and
WHEREAS, the Constitution’s opening phrase places power in the people of these United States by stating “we the people” and sets rules and parameters for a three branch form of self-regulating government; and
WHEREAS, the first ten amendments, known as the “Bill of Rights,” were adopted with the stated purposes of “extending the ground of public confidence in the Government,” and to “best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution;”
WHEREAS, seventeen other amendments were later adopted, and;
WHEREAS, in present and past times the Constitution has been and is under pressure and attack from foreign and domestic entities; and
WHEREAS, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of religion, rights to peaceably assemble, rights to due process under the law and “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” are rights preserved in the Bill of Rights; and
WHEREAS, the right to vote by citizens is guaranteed in the Constitution and free and fair elections are essential for “we the people” to have government “by the people”; and
WHEREAS, “equal rights” for men and women and “civil rights” for all citizens regardless of race, color, religion, sex or national origin are secured by the Constitution and the laws enacted pursuant thereto; and
WHEREAS, ALL RIGHTS contained in the United States Constitution are held in highest esteem, and PROTECTED by Haywood County, and;
WHEREAS, the Haywood County Board of Commissioners recognizes that the Constitution’s 2nd Amendment guarantees that these rights are secure by allowing its citizens redress against a tyrannical government as witnessed by our nation’s founders who crafted the 2nd Amendment; and
WHEREAS, citizens deserve the right to “keep and bear arms” if they so desire, for self-defense, the defense of others, protection of individual liberty and for the preservation of a “free state” as guaranteed by the United States Constitution, and;
WHEREAS, the Haywood County Board of Commissioners are in opposition of any proposed law that infringes upon our constitutional rights, specifically the 2nd Amendment but not inclusive to it only, and will use all legal means necessary, including the withholding of funds, in order to guarantee our citizens the protections afforded under the Constitution, so long as said action does not violate either the US and North Carolina State Constitution or any Federal or North Carolina state law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Haywood County Board of Commissioners declares Haywood County a “CONSTITUTION PROTECTING COUNTY’’ by affirming our oath of office to support and maintain the Constitution and laws of the United States, and the Constitution and laws of North Carolina not inconsistent therewith.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Haywood County Board of Commissioners oppose any efforts by any entity to infringe on, or take from the Constitution. This will include any measures necessary and legal, including the withholding of funds, so long as said action is within the bounds of the United States Constitution, the laws of the United States, the North Carolina Constitution and the laws of the State of North Carolina. We declare that Haywood County government will use all its powers to defend and protect the constitutional rights of its citizens.
- The Haywood County Board of Commissioners implore all its citizens to exercise the right to vote in elections as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. The power lies in “we the people.”
- The Haywood County Board of Commissioners implores the N.C. legislature and the U.S. Congress to use all its powers and authority to protect our citizens’ freedoms under the Constitution of the United States, to reject any proposed law or regulation that will infringe, may infringe or place any burden on the Constitution of the United States and its citizens.
Let it be known, Haywood County North Carolina declares itself a CONSTITUTION PROTECTING COUNTY.”
The Haywood County Board of Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 3, in the Historic Haywood Courthouse, 215 N. Main Street, Waynesville. Sign up for public comment prior to 8:50 a.m.
To view the meeting’s agenda, including the attached resolution, visit https://www.haywoodcountync.gov/agendacenter.
