As the debate about guns and gun control rages on one Illinois county has declared themselves as a gun owners sanctuary.

Wait a minute.. what?

Can a county, town or even city declare that?

Apparently, they can.Or, I should say, in this case a county did.

After a board meeting on Monday the Herald-Review reports that Effingham County in Illinois has declared itself as a sanctuary for gun owners.

In fact, after the meeting "[the county board] directed its employees not to enforce any new Illinois law that would 'unconstitutionally restrict the Second Amendment'."

Wow! That's a pretty strong order.

However, not everyone is on board with this.

Effingham County State's Attorney Bryan Kibler, described the board's decision as one of being made as a symbolic gesture and that "[it] will not control the decision making in the sheriff's office."

The Effingham Sheriff's Office agrees that the board's ruling (8 to 1 mind you) will not sway their office.

The community is split on the issues of making this sanctuary status.

Some say that branding Effingham County as a sanctuary for gun owners is an "embarrassment" and that some are concerned that status "this would encourage people with assault-style weapons to move to the area."

Others are concerned with protecting their families in the light of all the recent shootings. They don't want their community to be like "Newtown, Connecticut, where 20 children and six adult staff were shot and killed."

This certainly seems like a community divided.

It makes me wonder if other Illinois counties and even other states will adopt a measure like this?

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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