MO Sheriff Can Arrest Feds Who Violate Citizens' Gun Rights
Newton County, Missouri legislators passed a new ordinance that authorizes the Newton Sheriff to arrest federal agents who violate citizens' gun rights. The county legislators were concerned that the federal government might infringe on its citizens' second amendment rights.
The Second Amendment Preservation Act of Newton County
The Second Amendment Preservation Act of Newton County, Missouri, states:
Be it enacted by the Newton County Missouri Commission as follows: All federal acts, laws, orders, rules and regulations passed by the Federal government and specifically any Presidential Administration whether past, present or future, which infringe on the people’s right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States and Article 1, Section 23 of the Missouri Constitution shall be invalid in the county, shall not be recognized by this county, and specifically rejected by this county, and shall be considered null and void and of no effect in this county.
Such acts, laws, orders, rules and regulations include but are not limited to any tax levy, fee, or stamp imposed on firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition not common to all other goods and services … any registration or tracking of firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition … any act ordering the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories or ammunition … and finally, any act, whether past, present or future passed by the United States Congress and signed into law by the Federal Government and specifically any Presidential Administration which infringes on the people’s right to keep and bear arms in Newton County, Missouri shall be considered null and void by the county and not recognized by this county.
The law adds: “Any and all federal agents trying to enforce the regulations listed in Section (1) shall be subject to arrest by the Sheriff’s department.”
The Street Cop Perspective
So what do I think about this new ordinance? I like it. The NFA is arbitrary and so is the prohibition on a number of other federal gun laws. The current administration has made it clear that they want to infringe on your gun rights.
I think the only way to overcome this is to put pressure on those enforcing federal gun laws. I hate that this is what it has come to, but street cops (those working the beat and answering 911 calls) are tired of the average citizen getting victimized by politicians.