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The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors is expected to become the 27th county to pass a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution, a symbolic measure that states opposition to stricter regulations of gun sales and ownership.

Supervisor Paul Merten told The Storm Lake Times the board didnt register any opposition to the resolution, proposed by former Alta Mayor Al Clark on behalf of the Iowa Firearms Coalition. Merten, a Democrat, said he and other board members took an oath to follow the Constitution and it guarantees the right to bear arms.

We dont see any problem with the resolution. Its symbolic, so its just a statement to the federal government that were in favor of a broad reading of the Second Amendment, Merten said on Tuesday. I assume were going to pass it next week.

If Buena Vista passes the resolution, itd be the 27th county in Iowa to be a so-called Second Amendment sanctuary, Clark told the board on Tuesday. The Pocahontas County Board of Supervisors passed the same resolution in August. The Sac County Board of Supervisors entertained the resolution after a citizen, Curtis Bloes of Sac City, encouraged the board to make a declaration.

The Sac County supervisors declined to take action on the resolution because there was an issue with the sanctuary distinction. Auditor Jim Dowling told The Times the board hasnt ruled out a declaration, but the board isnt slated to discuss the resolution at any upcoming meetings.

The resolution is essentially a statement that opposes stricter gun regulations at the state and federal level.

Its principally crafted as a message, primarily to federal lawmakers, that BV County supports Americans rights secured under the Second Amendment, County Attorney Paul Allen told The Times after the meeting.

Pocahontas County Attorney Dan Feistner noted in September the resolution the Pocahontas board passed isnt an ordinance, which can carry penalties like fines or jail time. He said the measure tends to be more symbolic than an actual force of law.

Buena Vista County Board Chairman Kelly Snyder, a retired sheriffs deputy, plans to vote for the resolution next week. He said the countys rich hunting culture shouldnt be weighed down by regulations intended to tamp down gun violence, a public safety issue that he argues primarily affects large metros.

Weve never had much of a problem with guns during my time in law enforcement here, said Snyder, who worked as a deputy since the 1980s. Ive carried a gun for 30 years, and a lot of other people I know have. No problems. Around here, (gun violence), its a huge problem nationally, just isnt as much of a thing.

The supervisors are expected to review the resolution next Tuesday.

Read more:
BV County to be 'Second Amendment Sanctuary' - The Storm Lake Times