Wisconsin County Declares Itself 'Second Amendment Sanctuary'

MILWAUKEE, WI — The political tussle between gun rights supporters and gun control advocates took a new turn recently in Wisconsin as one of the state's 72 counties passed a notable gun rights resolution.

Days after Republican state lawmakers rejected a gun control special session proposed by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, one Wisconsin county declared itself to be a "Second Amendment Sanctuary."

On Nov. 12, the Florence County Board unanimously approved a nonbinding resolution to designate the county as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary" as a way to send a message to state and federal lawmakers that this part of Wisconsin supports individual gun rights.

County Board Chair Jeanette Bomberg expressed that point in a Wisconsin Public Radio report. "What we’re saying is the Second Amendment allows for law-abiding citizens to be able to protect their homes and bear arms," Bomberg said. "Nothing less, nothing more."

According to text of the resolution, the County Board "affirms its support of the Sheriff to exercise sound discretion not to enforce against any citizen an unconstitutional firearms law," nor will the board "appropriate any funds for any enforcement of unconstitutional laws against the people of Florence County, Wisconsin."

Florence County Supervisor Edwin Kelley told the Journal Sentinel this week that the state's recent attempt to enact "Red Flag" laws is just one example of how state officials are trying to run afoul of constitutionally guaranteed rights.

"That red-flag law — what benefit is that going to do anybody?" Kelley said in the report. "It gives too much authority to the government."

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Wisconsin Gun Control Session Quashed

On Nov. 7, the Republican-controlled state Legislature quickly dispatched with Evers' call for a special session on gun control.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau) stood alone in the Senate chamber with no other lawmakers present. At just after 8 p.m., he gaveled in the special session. After several seconds, he adjourned the session.

Critics pilloried the Republican-controlled state Senate, calling its actions equivalent to telling state residents to go "jump in the lake."

Evers called for two measures: one that sought expanded universal background checks, and a second bill to create extreme-risk protection orders — also called "red flag laws" — for a gun owners judged to be a danger to themselves or others.

A recent Marquette University Law School poll found that at least 80 percent of state residents surveyed supported the legislation. Republican legislators publicly opposed the gun control measures.

At the time, Republicans came out strongly in opposition to the bills. "Today in a partial answer to a reporter's question, Governor Evers revealed Democrats' real agenda: taking away firearms that are lawfully owned, which is unacceptable," Assembly Leader Robin Vos (R-Rochester) said in a statement. "Wisconsin laws already say if you're a felon, you lose your right to own a gun. With Governor Evers considering confiscating firearms from law-abiding citizens, it shows just how radical Democrats have become."