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OTTAWA COUNTY, MI The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners have eliminated an obstacle blocking a plan to pass a Second Amendment sanctuary county resolution.

During the Tuesday, April 11 meeting, the board officially rescinded a rule that prevents the commissions far-right majority from adopting resolutions outside of the county boards authority. The original resolution, adopted in 2021, limited the boards resolutions to items they had the authority upon which to take action.

Now that the rule has been eliminated, it paves the way for board members who belong to the conservative group Ottawa Impact to move forward with the Second Amendment sanctuary county resolution.

The motion to rescind Tuesday said the policy established by the prior board limited the boards ability to speak on important issues. It is unclear when the resolution will come before the full board.

Related: Should West Michigan be a 2nd Amendment sanctuary? Kent, Ottawa GOP groups say yes

One of the things that I know a number of people on this board have advocated for in the last couple years is that citizens use their voice, board Chairman Joe Moss said at an April 4 committee meeting. I think its great that the board also be able to use their voice on important issues, whether its Second Amendment or parental rights or constitution or whatever the board might take up.

Declaring a county or city a Second Amendment sanctuary is often mostly symbolic but could include a local governing body passing a resolution rejecting state or federal gun laws like universal background checks, red flag laws and assault weapon bans. These resolutions can, however, become legal liabilities to local sheriffs who dont enforce laws on the books.

Ottawa County Prosecutor Lee Fisher said he was sent a proposed resolution to review but did not say who shared it.

As far as a sanctuary county, my position is I dont believe its appropriate for me to publicly support or not support a political statement, Fisher said during the Tuesday meeting. If theres a violation of the gun laws, I have to objectively and fairly review those complaints to decide if somebodys going to be charged with violating the law.

In February, the Ottawa County Republican Party requested the county board pass such a resolution, proposing language that includes requesting the sheriff and prosecutor do everything in their power to defend the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Ottawa County from any and all infringements.

Related: Ottawa County board wants to weigh in on political issues outside their authority

Since the new conservative majority took over the county board in January, some residents have requested the board take up a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution.

The county voted for this board to be representative of the people, not to be ignored, said Grand Haven Township resident Stephen Rockman on Tuesday. One of the first resolutions Id like this board to take up is a Second Amendment resolution. Ottawa County is a conservative county. Responsible gun ownership is proven to save lives.

Others residents opposed the board taking up a Second Amendment resolution, questioning whether the resolution would actually make citizens safer.

Im here to express my anger over Ottawa Impacts desire to turn Ottawa County into a Second Amendment sanctuary county, said Grand Haven resident Cindy Spielmaker. If having more guns would make us safer as you believe, why does the United States have so many gun deaths? Im angry you want to disregard common sense gun laws.

Have any of you been through an active shooter drill? I have and I can tell you it was terrifying. Maybe you need to experience that before making Ottawa County a Second Amendment sanctuary county.

Outspoken Holland Township resident Joe Spaulding called potential Second Amendment resolution an attempt to nullify state law.

Theres going to be more mass shootings, Spaulding told the commissioners. When those happen, theyre going to look at politicians that did nothing. Youre going to nullify state law and make Ottawa County more dangerous.

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Ottawa County commissioners remove obstacle to proposing a Second Amendment sanctuary resolution - MLive.com