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July 13 was a historic day as Indian River County became the 45th Florida county to approve a resolution designating IRC a "sanctuary" for the Second Amendment, a public expression of their unequivocal support for the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. With enthusiastic support from Sheriff Eric Flowers and most of the commissioners, Moss consented with her silence by "not objecting."

Given Moss's apparent disdain for her constituents, her lackluster "support" of the resolution was no surprise. Moss was the only commissioner who has repeatedly disrespected her constituents by missing scheduled meetings. In May or June, we scheduled meetings with all five county commissioners on the same day to discuss our resolution, and to present to them nearly 1,500 signatures from IRC residents, gathered over the previous year in support of the resolution. Moss must be busier than the rest of the commissioners since she was the only no-show.

No explanation or apology was offered by Commissioner Moss. Not wishing to embarrass her publicly, I refrained from mentioning her lack of decorum at the public meeting on July 13, and in good faith offered to show her the signed petitions, which she had not previously witnessed due to her own malfeasance. When she insisted on keeping them overnight, I reluctantly obliged, explaining that the petitioners did not wish their information to be shared or made public. When she said Wednesday was too soon, I offered to pick them up on Thursday, to which she agreed.

After repeated attempts to reach Moss, she has not responded or returned the now 1,600 petitions, lent to her in good faith. What is her motive?

Laura Moss has demonstrated by her elitist attitude that she deserves neither respect, nor our trust.

Lamarre Notargiacomo, Vero Beach, supports the Indian River County 2nd Amendment Defense Coalition.

Recently, I had a spirited discussion with a perpetually disgruntled conservative. During our conversation, the subject of critical race theory arose. I challenged him to define CRT, anticipating his answer: Its a liberal attempt to turn children against one another. While this is the conservative definition of CRT, its as simplistic as it is wrongheaded.

Simply stated, CRT is a decades-old academic theory proposing a new approach to examine perpetual racism and exclusion. (Note: Initially, CRT was, in part, a repudiation of liberal responses addressing racist legal practices. It had nothing to do with public school instruction.)

Flustered by my response dismissed by right-wing operatives whove turned CRT into a divisive political strategy he blurted, Youre the laughingstock of the neighborhood (because I challenge right-wing fabrications). CRT has encouraged scholarly conversation about the impact of racism on U.S. history. (Few things frustrate conservatives more than scholarly investigations, which emphasize objective analysis over subjective opinion and political propaganda.)

Furthermore, CRT has led to critical investigations into other cultural issues, including the effects of internalized shame on marginalized minorities. (If youre a privileged white male, youve no idea how destructive that kind of constant, inescapable shame feels.) Unfortunately, CRTs opponents invoke their enormous misunderstanding to frame liberals as unpatriotic buffoons who want to incite white guilt among school-age children. This is demagoguery in its most pernicious form.

In a recent salute to Americas Fourth of July celebrations, NBCs Harry Smith said, Our history is both woeful and wonderful (and) our stories should be shared (and) owned. It endangers no one to understand the sins of our past.

The poet William Blake wrote, The man who never alters his opinion is like standing water, (which) breeds reptiles of the mind.

This is what truth looks like.

Cray Little, Vero Beach

Editor'snote: The following two letters are being rerun in their entirety due to an inadvertentprinting erroron July 22.

Florida is falling into the clutches of another COVID-19 wave and where is our illustrious governor Ron DeSantis? Why, at the border in Texas. He has sent a 50-member troop of law-enforcement officials to the border in support of Texas Gov. Greg Abbots plea for help protecting the border. DeSantis followed to show his support, or maybe get a photo-op with his idol Donald Trump.

Our state is falling into the ravages of this plague and our leader is off the reservation. Please tell me what he can do there as opposed to as what he can do here?

He cares more for showing his and Trumps minions what they want to see than doing what it will take to finally bring this plague to an end. He has abused his powers by selling T-shirts and political material using anti-Fauci slogans.

When will he finally resign himself to care about the people of his state? Both DeSantis and his wife have been vaccinated and have never fostered the same for his constituents. Trump could have put an end to non-vaxxers, as De Santis could have, but both chose to turn their backs.

If more citizens do not get vaccinated, then only non-vaccinated individuals will get sick, and possibly some will die.

Policis must be left out of this pending disaster.

Joseph De Phillips, Stuart

So a political action committee connected to Gov. Ron DeSantis is now selling Dont Fauci My Florida merchandise. Wow. Considering the governors record on COVID-19 I can only say Please America, dont DeSantis my cemetery any more than he already has.

Stephen Osiecki, Vero Beach

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Letters to the Editor: July 23, 2021 - TCPalm

WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced today four amendments she has filed to fiscal year 2022 appropriations bills. The House Rules Committee will consider the amendments next week.

Nortons first amendment would prohibit the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) from using its funds to enforce the prohibition on marijuana in federally assisted housing in jurisdictions where recreational marijuana is legal. The second amendment would prohibit HUD from using its funds to enforce the prohibition on medical marijuana in jurisdictions where medical marijuana is legal. Cannabis Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA) are cosponsors of both amendments. Earlier this Congress, Norton reintroduced her bill to permit marijuana in federally assisted housing in jurisdictions where it is legal. Norton has also sent a letter to HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge asking her to use executive discretion to not enforce the prohibition on marijuana in federally assisted housing in jurisdictions where it is legal.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development should not be allowed to remove people from their homes or otherwise punish them for following the marijuana laws of their jurisdictions, Norton said. More and more states are moving toward legalization of marijuana, especially of medical marijuana. It is time for HUD to follow the rest of the country and allow marijuana use in federally assisted housing in jurisdictions where it is legal. This should especially be the case for individuals living in jurisdictions that have legalized medical marijuana. Nobody should be evicted for following the law and the advice of their doctors.

Nortons third amendment would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to prioritize efforts to combat airplane and helicopter noise. While the FAA and the aviation industry face many high-profile challenges, aircraft noise, which causes disruption to human health and local economies, is often overlooked. As co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus, I have been leading members for many years to get the FAA to take aircraft noise seriously, Norton said. As a result of aircraft noise, Americans suffer from sleep disruption, exacerbation of high blood pressure and other chronic diseases, and learning loss in schools.

Nortons fourth amendment would prohibit the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from using its funds to enter directly into leases for a headquarters. Nortons amendment would effectively return the SECs leasing authority to the General Services Administration (GSA), the federal governments real estate arm. As a former chair and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Norton led oversight of the SECs real estate activities.

For three decades, the SEC has consistently stumbled through leasing mistakes at great expense to taxpayers, Norton said. It is incredibly inefficient, wasteful, and redundant for the SEC to be involved in the nuances of real estate decisions when GSA exists for that very reason.Like other federal agencies, the SEC should continue to have input and involvement in the decision-making process, but the ultimate real estate authority should lie with GSA, where it belongs. Earlier this Congress, Norton introduced a bill to revoke the SECs leasing authority and return it to GSA.

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Norton Files Amendments to Allow Marijuana Use in Public Housing, Combat Aircraft Noise, and Block SEC from Entering into Lease for Headquarters -...

NRA-ILA filed the opening brief in the Supreme Court case challenging New Yorks restrictive concealed-carry-licensing regime. The case provides the Supreme Court with the opportunity to finally affirm what most statesand common sensetell us: the Second Amendment protects a fundamental, individual right to bear arms for self-defense outside of the home.

For too long, New York has rationed the right to keep and bear arms to a select, chosen few within favored classes. But the Second Amendment guarantees the right of the people to keep and bear arms, not the right of a privileged few.

Despite skyrocketing crime within the Empire State, New York shamefully presumes the peoples unworthiness to defend their own lives and liberty where danger most often exists: outside the home. Those who dare to exercise their Second Amendment rights without first obtaining New Yorks blessing are automatically deemed felons. No other component of the Bill of Rights is treated this wayyet. Thus, the importance of this case and NRA-ILAs opening brief.

As indicated in the brief, NRA-ILA wholeheartedly agrees with the Justices who find it extremely improbable that the Framers understood the Second Amendment to protect little more than carrying a gun from the bedroom to the kitchen. NRA-ILA extends its sincerest thanks to its counsel at Kirkland & Ellis and the Court for its decision to accept this important case.

The case is captioned New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.

Please stay tuned towww.nraila.orgfor future updates on NRA-ILAs ongoing efforts to defend your constitutional rights.

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NRA-ILA Files Opening Brief in Second Amendment Case Before the Supreme Court - NRA ILA

So far, two Iowa counties have passed resolutions saying county employees can't enforce state or federal laws infringing on a person's 2nd Amendment rights.

JOHNSTON, Iowa At CrossRoads Shooting Sports in Johnston, Ethan Settle takes pride in educating people on how to safely use firearms.

"My absolute favorite customer to deal with is that first-time gun owner," Settle said. "And we can talk them through the process of owning that."

The store manager also says employees help educate patrons about their Second Amendment rights.

"We try to take a whole approach to firearms ownership, so you do it responsibly, safely, have fun, but know what your rights and your political duties constitutionally are," Settle said.

Nowadays, the conversations behind the counter at CrossRoads have included the topic of several Iowa counties' move to become 2nd Amendment Sanctuaries.

Recently, both Jasper and Hardin counties signed resolutions to oppose "any legislation that would infringe upon the constitutional right of the people...to keep and bear arms."

That means county employees cannot enforce state or federal laws infringing on a person's Second Amendment rights, but it only applies to future laws--not existing ones.

As several other counties, including Madison, look to sign similar resolutions, Settle applauds Iowans who have spoken directly to their counties' boards of supervisors to advocate for them.

"The issue of sanctuary counties has been around for a number of years now and its really picked up speed since the November election, and just a lot about people being engaged with their local county governments," Settle said. "What I think is cool about it, is its people getting out, voicing their concerns with their local county governments."

The Iowa Firearms Coalition provides templates for Iowa counties to draft resolutions protecting the Second Amendment. Chair Michael Ware says the nonprofit aims to be a resource to educate Iowans on the issue.

"We say, heres the template, heres some working language, these are some [recommendations and] best practices," Ware said. "They're saying, listen. This civil right, we care about. And we know that its one that gets curtailed, chipped away at, and discussed a lot."

A spokesperson for the ACLU of Iowa said it was not clear from the facts available on how the sanctuary status could be interpreted as a civil rights issue.

Moms Demand Action, a group that works to end gun violence, also weighed in on the matter. In an email, they sent the following statement:

Local politicians dont get to pick and choose which laws to enforce. These resolutions are largely symbolic and wont directly interfere with the enforcement of critical gun safety laws its clear that they are nothing more than a political game by local politicians to signal their support for the gun lobby, said Traci Kennedy, Chapter Leader of the Iowa chapter of Moms Demand Action. Instead of passing confusing resolutions, our leaders should focus on solutions that will help keep our families safe and pass laws and resolutions that acknowledge and address the crisis of gun violence in our state.

The Madison County Board of Supervisors will discuss a similar resolution at their meeting July 27.

Continue reading here:
Pro-gun Iowans say 2nd Amendment sanctuaries can keep rights from being 'chipped away at' - Local 5 - weareiowa.com

MADISON - Republican lawmakers are introducing new legislation that would decrease restrictions on firearms in Wisconsin by lowering the age to obtain a permit to carry a concealed weapon to 18 and allowing permit holders to have guns in vehicles on school grounds.

Both bills being circulated by Republican lawmakers for sponsorship in the state Legislature in recent weeks have been proposed before and likely will face hurdles under Gov. Tony Evers, who has said he supports the law as it's currently written.

Rep. Shae Sortwell, R-Two Rivers, said in an interview the bill to lower the age to obtain a concealed carry permit from 21 to 18 follows a recent federal appeals court ruling that said prohibitions on selling handguns to Americans under 21 violates the Second Amendment.

"The (ruling) made it pretty clear you can't make arbitrary laws that say one adult does not have the same rights as other adults," Sortwell said.

A divided U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, said July 13 that a 1968 law that banned the sale of handguns to people under 21 years old but permitted the sale of shotguns and rifles to those same peoplewas an arbitrary restriction that put 18- to 20-year-olds in second-class status under the Second Amendment. The decision is likely to be appealed and may reach the U.S. Supreme Court.

"When do constitutional rights vest? At 18 or 21? 16 or 25? Why not 13 or 33?" wrote Judge Julius Richardson, nominatedto the court by former President Donald Trump. "In the law, a line must sometimes be drawn. But there must be a reason why constitutional rights cannot be enjoyed until a certain age."

Richardson'sopinion drew a criticaldissent from Judge James Wynn, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama.

"The majority's decision to grant the gun lobby a victory in a fight it lost on Capitol Hill more than fifty years ago is not compelled by law," Wynn wrote. "Nor is it consistent with the proper role of the federal judiciary in our democratic system."

Sortwell sees Wisconsin's concealed-carry law that was implemented in 2011 and requires permit-holders to be 21 as having similar problems.

"Individuals who are old enough to legally own and possess a handgun are also old enough to obtain a concealed-carry permit, and it is our obligation as the state legislature to ensure equality before the law," Sortwell wrote in a memo to colleagues seeking support for the legislation.

"If this is about self defense, why should my 18-, 19-, 20-year-olddaughter be more at risk to criminals than my 21-year-olddaughter?" he said in an interview last week.

Attorney General Josh Kaul, through a spokeswoman, did not immediately respond to whether he agreed with Sortwell's interpretation of the ruling.

A spokeswoman for Evers also did not immediately respond to whether the governor would sign the proposed legislation. While running for governor in 2017, Evers said he would act as a "goalie" for similar proposals being introduced at the time.

Kids in Wisconsin dont need more guns near or around schools, said Evers, who was state superintendent at the time, about a similar bill that was ultimately unsuccessful.

At that time, Republican lawmakers were debating legislation that would allow Wisconsin residents tocarry concealed firearms without getting training or state permits, and would have endedthe states ban on tasers and allow some people to bring guns onto school grounds.

"We will be introducing legislation to ensure that parents who hold a concealed carry permit dont accidentally violate the law when picking up or dropping off their child in their school parking lot," Rep. Rob Brooks, R-Saukville, and Sen. Andre Jacque, R-De Pere, said earlier this month in a memo to colleagues seeking support for the legislation.

The bill would require the vehicle be locked and the firearm be out of sight.

During the 2017 debate on the more expansive bill, the Wisconsin Association of School Boards at the time had adopted a resolution that stated the group opposed any legislation that would expand the ability to carry firearms on school grounds beyond sworn law enforcement officers.

"Historically, the majority of school board members have expressed a belief that guns and children are not a good mix," Dan Rossmiller, a lobbyist for WASB, said Monday. "While we are aware of concerns from parents who hold concealed carry permits who may violate the law when picking up or dropping off their child, our members have not responded to the introduction of previous, similar legislative proposals by changing the existing WASB resolution. For that reason, I expect our position, as it has been in the past, would be to oppose this new legislation."

Critics ofthe state's concealed carry law andMilwaukee Police officials also have expressed concerns about criminals obtaining permits or those without criminal records carrying firearms for criminals.

In 2015, formerMilwaukee Police Chief Edward Flynn pointed to a permit holder who had a habit of turning up at shooting and homicide scenesserving as a human holster which resulted in charges against him.

Jim Palmer, executive director for the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, said Monday his members have yet to evaluate the new proposals.

"When it comes to gun control issues, our organization has generally been split on those, largely due to distinctions between officers that serve rural areas and those that serve in more urban areas," he said, speaking generally. "In our experience, urban officers tend to be more concerned about gun violence than their rural counterparts, who dont experience the same degree of gun crimes."

John Fritze of USA Today contributed to this report.

Contact Molly Beckat molly.beck@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @MollyBeck.

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Bills would lower concealed carry age to 18, allow permit holders to have guns in cars on school grounds - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel