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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) The Utah House of Representatives and the Utah Senate have announced they will consider two resolutions regarding Critical Race Theory and Utah becoming a Second Amendment Sanctuary state during a special session on Wednesday.

The announcement from the Utah Senate comes after Utah Governor Spencer Cox left Critical Race Theoryand making Utah aSecond Amendment Sanctuary out of the special session agenda, saying in a letter to state lawmakers the two issues would benefit from more time, thought, dialogue, and input.

While Im sure someone might be able to point out differently, I cant remember these types of hot-button issues ever being put on a special session call. Its not that I disagree with the desire to act, but doing it the right way and at the right time will lead to better legislation, Gov. Cox added.

The Senate Majority Caucus said they are against Critical Race Theory being taught in Utah schools, saying in a statement to ABC4:

Everyone is created equal and should be judged by their character, not the color of their skin. For this reason, we oppose critical race theory being taught in schools. American history should be taught in a way that highlights our countrys highs and lows, triumphs, and mistakes. We do not want to erase or bypass history, but we need to prevent schools from endorsing discriminatory concepts.

The Senate Majority Caucus says they do, however, support making Utah a Second Amendment sanctuary state, saying in part, We are committed to protecting the Second Amendment rights defined in the U.S. Constitution by our Founding Fathers. Our most important duty as legislators is to preserve Utahns freedoms, including the freedom to bear arms without government interference.

The Utah House of Representatives announced they would also consider resolutions on Critical Race Theory and Second Amendment Sanctuary State.

In a statement to ABC4, Speaker of the House Brad Wilson said in part,

Utahns not federal bureaucrats must remain in control of what is taught in our schools to ensure students understand both positive and negative events in American history, and their duty to be engaged, respectful members of society.

Wilson continued, Similarly, constitutional rights should not be subject to the whims of executive orders. We are committed to working on legislation that reaffirms and safeguards the constitutional right of Utah citizens to keep and bear arms.

The Utah House Democrats released a statement opposing the Utah Senate hearing the resolutions, saying in part, We oppose holding an extraordinary special session to address the proposed issues not included on the Governors special session call. Democrats were excluded from discussions, we reject such divisive action, and we oppose the content of the resolutions,

Gov. Cox has authorized 22 issues to be considered by lawmakers during the special session. This includes budget issues involving federal funds available through the American Rescue Plan, bills passed in the2021 session, and new bills that include a prohibition on face mask requirements in schools and changes to electronic cigarettes.

Originally posted here:
Utah House, Senate to consider resolutions on Critical Race Theory and making Utah 2nd Amendment sanctuary - ABC 4

Gov. Spencer Cox declined to place legislation on list of bills

(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield, at the state Capitol in Salt Lake City in January 2021. She's in favor of Second Amendment Santuary status for Utah.

| May 14, 2021, 8:31 p.m.

| Updated: May 17, 2021, 4:27 p.m.

[Update: Second Amendment sanctuary wont be considered during this weeks legislative special session]

Lawmakers will meet Wednesday in special session, primarily so they can accept more than $1.5 billion in federal coronavirus relief money.

But a gun rights issue did not make it onto the agenda.

This is despite significant lobbying to persuade Gov. Spencer Cox to include a bill declaring Utah a Second Amendment sanctuary on the agenda for next week.

The idea would allow the state to ignore new federal laws or regulations on firearms that lawmakers believe violate the Second Amendment, which affords people the right to bear arms. It could extend to judicial rulings or executive actions by the White House.

Experts say even if lawmakers passed such a bill, it would be mostly symbolic because federal law trumps any state provision.

The state has no authority under the constitution to eliminate a provision of federal law, says University of Utah law professor RoNell Jones. The Supremacy Clause makes clear that if state law and federal law conflict, federal law prevails.

States have leeway over how they use their own resources to help, or not help, in the enforcement of federal law. But that does not extend to individual citizens.

A person who is running afoul of a particular federal law will still be in violation of that law, even if the state makes some statement opposing it. All of the relevant federal agencies will still be able to enforce the law against those citizens, and no declaration from the state can invalidate that law. The constitution does not give them that authority, she said.

The bill is championed by Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield.

I hope its on the call, said Lisonbee via an email to The Tribune. Utah needs to join the many other states that have passed Second Amendment Sanctuary bills over the past few years.

Lisonbee did not provide any specifics on what her proposed legislation would do.

Gov. Coxs office would not comment directly on the legislation.

Utah legislators appear to be hitting the gas on expanding gun rights in the state. Earlier this year, Cox signed a bill eliminating the need for a permit to carry a concealed weapon in public. That effort was stymied for nearly a decade by Coxs predecessor, Gov. Gary Herbert, through vetos or threats of veto.

Rep. Cory Maloy, R-Lehi, tried to pass legislation earlier this year to make the state a haven for the Second Amendment. That effort died after Republicans in the Senate decided the permitless carry bill was the priority as they looked to avoid a backlash from voters.

Maloy previously said lawmakers planned to study the issue over the summer and fall before bringing a bill to the 2022 session.

Lisonbee did not explain why she believed the issue was so urgent that she wanted it to be considered in a special session rather than wait for the 2022 General Session.

At least 10 Utah counties have taken steps to declare themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries, and nearly a half-dozen others are moving in that direction.

Lawmakers in Texas are currently debating several bills that would prohibit state agencies and local governments from enforcing new federal laws on guns. A bill in Ohio rejects federal gun legislation in the name of states rights under the 10th Amendment of the Constitution.

Link:
bill to make Utah a "Second Amendment Sanctuary" state may be heard next week - Salt Lake Tribune

Lawmakers will meet Wednesday in special session, primarily so they can accept more than $1.5 billion in federal coronavirus relief money.

But a gun rights issue may sneak onto the agenda.

Legislative sources tell The Tribune that there is significant lobbying to persuade Gov. Spencer Cox to include a bill declaring Utah a Second Amendment sanctuary on the agenda for next week.

The idea would allow the state to ignore new federal laws or regulations on firearms that lawmakers believe violate the Second Amendment, which affords people the right to bear arms. It could extend to judicial rulings or executive actions by the White House.

This article is published through the Utah News Collaborative, a partnership of news organizations in Utah that aim to inform readers across the state. For the complete story, click here.

Link:
Salt Lake Tribune exclusive: 'Second Amendment Sanctuary' bill could be heard in Utah next week - The Herald Journal

Click here for updates on this story

MOBILE COUNTY, Alabama (WALA) Alabama Rep. Shane Stringer is no longer a captain with the Mobile County Sheriffs Office, the office announced Friday.

According to the MCSO, Sheriff Sam Cochran made the decision Wednesday because of different political views held by his administration.

The MCSO statement did not specify those differing political views.

But Stringer later Friday morning issues a news release stating he is proud to defend Second Amendment gun rights despite losing (his) job over Constitutional stance.

Stringers new release states that Cochran fired him over the his stance on the issue.

The Second Amendment gun rights of Alabamians are under attack from a liberal federal government that is out of control and even from some factions right here at home, Stringer, who previously served as the chief of the Satsuma Police Department, said in a statement. After dedicating my life and career to law enforcement, losing a job because I stand in support of Alabama gun owners is certainly surprising, but nothing will discourage me from defending the constitutional guarantees promised to all of us as American citizens.

Sringer said Cochran notified him on Wednesday that he was being fired as a captain within the department because he is sponsoring constitutional carry gun rights legislation as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives.

Stringers House Bill 618 would allow Alabamians to carry or conceal a pistol without first obtaining a permit from their local sheriffs office. Some local sheriffs have opposed legislation such as Stringers because they have come to depend upon fees from the permitting process as a revenue generator for their offices, and others have expressed safety concerns, Stringers news release states.

The U.S. Constitution does not say you have a right to keep and bear arms as long as you pay what amounts to a gun tax in the form of permit fees, Stringer said. It says you have the right to keep and carry firearms, period.

Stringer said that despite Cochrans action, he remains committed to his legislation and to the Alabama law enforcement community.

As a state legislator, I swore an oath to God that I would support the U.S. Constitution, and this legislation does just that, String said. And whether or not I am employed by the Mobile Sheriffs Office, my heart and soul will always belong to the mission of enforcing the law and to my fellow officers who seek to protect the men, women, and children of Alabama.

Stringer joined the MCSO in 2018.

That same year, Stringer, a member of the Republican party, was elected as a member of the Alabama House of Representatives, representing District 102. His current term ends in November 2022.

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Legislator says he was fired because of Second Amendment stance - ABC17NEWS - ABC17News.com

New state law mirrors federal law passed on a bipartisan basis

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Governor Doug Ducey signed legislation Friday to protect the Second Amendment rights of Arizonans by safeguarding against frivolous lawsuits that have no connection to unlawful use of firearms.

"With efforts currently underway in Washington to erode Second Amendment rights, Arizona is taking action to protect those rights," shared Gov. Ducey."...were safeguarding manufacturers, sellers and trade associations. Bad actors need to be held accountable, and we will work to make sure they are. But were not going to allow lawsuit after lawsuit to slowly tear down the Constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens in our state. Senate Bill 1382 achieves this goal, and Im grateful to Representative Quang Nguyen and Senator Wendy Rogers for leading on this important legislation."

SB 1382 prohibits the state, and all entities of the state, from suing a member of the firearms industry for lawful design, marketing, distribution and sale of firearms and ammunition to the public. The legislation also prohibits a civil action from being brought against a manufacturer or seller of a firearm or ammunition, or related trade association for damages resulting from the criminal misuse of the firearm or ammunition, with exceptions.

It additionally protects manufacturers or sellers of firearms and ammunition from civil action for damages resulting from the criminal misuse of the firearm or ammunition, except in specified circumstances.

"Arizona isand will remaina strong 2nd Amendment state," said Judi White of Tucson, a champion of gun rights who has long been active in the National Rifle Association. "We cant let flippant lawsuits hinder operations of firearm or ammunition manufacturers, sellers and trade associations that are following the law. Senate Bill 1382 makes sure of that. Thank you, Gov. Ducey, for signing legislation that protects citizens Constitutional rights."

In 2005, Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) providing federal protection for law-abiding firearms and ammunition industry members against frivolous lawsuits. PLCAA has been challenged in recent years, including in April when President Joe Biden stated removing PLCAA as a 'top priority' of his administration. Senate Bill 1382 classifies the federal provisions under state law.

Senator Wendy Rogers introduced SB 1382.

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2nd amendment state rights receive further protection - KYMA