It was noticeably busier at the Swain County Board of Commissioners work session meeting Thursday, March 25 as a crowd—restricted to 25 due to COVID-19—filled the seats in the auditorium to support an effort to declare the county a Second Amendment Sanctuary.
Donna Cole and Patrick Smith presented a petition with more than 960 signatures of Swain County residents in support of the move. This was Cole’s second appearance before the board. Last month, two commissioners suggested they would like to see more support than the 600+ signatures previously presented.
Smith spoke for several minutes about the importance of the Second Amendment and the need for a local resolution.
“I consider myself a Patriot, and I like to fight for my rights not just the Second Amendment but all rights,” he said. “Some people would ask, what is your Second Amendment? The purpose was absolutely to fight against your government; it wasn’t to defend somebody coming into your home. My Second Amendment is there to protect from enemies both foreign and domestic.”
The Second Amendment is under attack, he stressed, pointing to both legislation adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives that would levy taxes on guns and require permits, as well as statements made by President Joe Biden last week that he would consider adopting an executive order for gun control. Biden’s comments followed two deadly mass shootings in the country.
What will a resolution to become a Second Amendment Sanctuary do? “It will send a message to our state and it will give us an opportunity to unite to push back against federal law that will infringe on our Second Amendment, and that is under direct attack,” Smith said.
He urged the board to adopt a meaningful resolution, joining 76 other counties in the state that have already done so. Smith wasn’t in favor of the resolution adopted by neighboring Macon County.
“I’d ask you today to determine if it’s a moral and just decision to come up with a resolution that means something,” he said.
Commission Chairman Ben Bushyhead thanked Smith and said it’s something the board also needs to study and consider. He then opened the floor to public comments on the subject, with three speaking in favor of a local resolution.
“We will have a discussion about this and gather as much information as we can and make a decision,” Bushyhead said.
Commissioner Kenneth Parton pressed the issue, asking what the board’s next move would be? He also said he agreed with Smith that the Macon County resolution is flawed.
Commissioner Danny Burns said you could access resolutions adopted by other counties by visiting sanctuarycounties.com. “At least half don’t say they are a Second Amendment Sanctuary county,” he noted.
Parton speculated that is likely because those county boards are afraid of funding, but stressed the importance of protecting citizens’ rights.
“I think we need to at least have more discussion,” he said. “I definitely believe this is directly under attack. It’s not picking and choosing one over the other—they’re all under attack.”
Bushyhead commented on the challenge of reaching an agreement on the controversial topic. “We, every single one of us (the board), has sworn an oath to the Constitution,” he said. “Interpretation and definition is different; it makes it hard to discuss anything.”
“I agree, and that’s part of the problem with the whole country,” Parton said. “I think we need to move in a direction on this.”
He added he thinks Swain County should consider writing its own resolution, and commissioner Kevin Seagle agreed, adding Swain is a unique county. Seagle then spoke about how the board members also swore on the Bible when they took their oaths of office. “That’s the balance in government,” he said.
Bushyhead then asked Parton what would he like to see in a local resolution?
“The main thing is protecting people’s rights to restrict the government from taking their rights away, especially since the citizens came to us,” Parton said.
County Manager Kevin King noted the Macon County resolution that was referenced was the example provided by the group who brought them the petition. He also asked the board to provide clear direction on what they want county staff to do.
Later in the meeting during informal discussion, Commissioner Roger Parsons shared his thoughts on the subject, circling back to the oath the board members swear that says they will uphold the Constitution and abide by the law.
The board did not make any decisions on a resolution Thursday night. The next regular board meeting is Thursday, April 8 at 6 p.m. at the Swain County Administration Building (50 Main Street).