The Polk County Republican BPOU brought a resolution to the Polk County Board of Commissioners earlier this week asking that Polk County be declared a Second Amendment Dedicated County. A Second Amendment Dedicated County opposes any law that would unconstitutionally restrict the rights of citizens to keep and bear arms.
After some discussion, the Polk County Board of Commissioners approved the resolution declaring Polk County as a Second Amendment Dedicated County. John Ross is the Polk County for Republicans Chairman, and he discussed why they felt it was important for the board to pass the resolution. “We understand this resolution is largely symbolic, and it’s a public affirmation of this body’s commitment to the founding documents in the constitution,” said Ross. “This resolution isn’t supposed to constrain our Sheriff but rather reiterate the Board of Commissioners’ solidarity to our Sheriff. If a time comes where he must stand up to a bigger group that seeks to impose unconstitutional edicts on the residents of Polk County, he knows he has the Board’s support to stand by the constitution.”
Commissioner Gary Willhite of the Third District first motioned to approve the resolution before the board unanimously approved it. Wilhite discussed why he and the rest of the board felt it necessary to support the resolution and the constitution. “I think it’s something that several other counties have already taken a look at, and it’s certainly something other Commissioners have been contacted about by concerned citizens,” said Willhite. “Sometimes these matters become highly political, but we’ve had people on both sides support this, and I believe there is strong support from the community and Polk County with the Second Amendment, and we felt it was important we could make a message saying we agree.”
The resolution was brought before the board back on September 21 and tabled so the board could discuss the matter more. Before making their decision this week, Polk County Attorney Greg Widseth suggested the board consider not passing the resolution based on a few concerns he had with what it could potentially lead to moving forward.
Willhite talked about Widseth’s concerns and why the board moved forward with the resolution. “I think his concerns were that we as a board moving forward would then have all kinds of different options with different issues presented before us,” said Willhite. “I don’t think we as a board see that, which is why we decided to move forward with the resolution.”
As mentioned, the resolution is mainly symbolic. Still, it now shows Polk County supports the United States Constitution and Second Amendment.
