Nearly two hours of limited public comment dominated the Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting Tuesday.  A large number of county citizens spoke on Second Amendment Gun Rights and a proposed resolution by the Barry County Republican Party calling for Barry County to be designated as a Second Amendment Sanctuary County.

Most of the commentors urged Commissioners to support that resolution and to put it on their meeting agenda for discussion and passage.  A few commentors were opposed. Several spoke on responsibility of elected officials to uphold and defend the Constitution as sworn in their oath of office and reminded the Republican commissioners that they were elected on the parties’ platform. 

Approximately 53 Michigan counties have passed some sort of resolution to date stating they either are a Second Amendment Sanctuary County or stating they respect constitutional rights. The local resolutions are not legally binding, but advocates say they are important. It is not known whether sheriffs in sanctuary counties will or will not enforce the new red flag laws and other gun reform regulations enacted by the state.