‘Second Amendment Sanctuary’ Label Moves Forward In Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Manatee County is on its way to become Florida’s next “Second Amendment Sanctuary,” according to multiple reports.

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to direct the county attorney to draft resolution to establish the county as a “gun sanctuary.”

The commissioners’ decision came on what happened to be the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting at Parkland’s Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School that left 17 students and staff dead.

The topic was added to Tuesday’s agenda by newly elected Commissioner Jason Bearden, WFLA reported.

“I think it is necessary that we join the ranks and with all the gun regulation that is going on right now, this would be a good opportunity to send a message to (President) Joe Biden that his unconstitutional policies will not be tolerated here in Manatee County and he can take his policies and stick it where the sun don’t shine,” he said. “I didn’t get elected to be politically correct. I am here to do with the people elected me to do and that is to protect our God-given right and that is what I continue to plan to do,” he continued.

Another new commissioner, Amanda Ballard, also supported the idea, the Bradenton Herald reported.

“What it’s saying is that if there are state or federal laws that are contrary to the Second Amendment, in the event that those occur, Manatee County will not be a county that enforces those things against the rights of our citizens,” she said.

Commissioners received about four dozen comments about the agenda item, all opposing the county’s designation as a “gun sanctuary,” according to the Bradenton Times. One commenter called the designation a “waste of time and taxpayer money.”

Mike Rahn, also a newly elected commissioner, acknowledged their concerns and assured the public that the label wouldn’t “increase violence, guns or crimes with guns.”

Most Florida counties have passed similar resolutions, reports said.