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Vote down 2nd Amendment sanctuary policy

Alpena County commissioners will be voting soon on making Alpena County a Second Amendment sanctuary. We should be against this designation for a couple of reasons.

Neighboring Montmorency County recently became a sanctuary. Montmorency Prosecutor Vicki Kundinger futilely arguing against the designation was quoted as saying that commissioners “should not be in the business of interpreting the Constitution.” She is right. The Constitution is very complex (did you that the Second Amendment is about having a well-regulated militia?). The interpretation should be left to the judicial branch.

The vote is a non-binding resolution saying that the county government supports the Second Amendment. Well, hopefully, the county supports all the constitutional amendments and the police support state and federal laws.

So, of course, this is all for image. Right?

And that’s just it … That’s the second reason. What kind of image do we want to project in Alpena? Do we want to be known as a progressive community? A cool place?

Do we want to be known for unique restaurants and coffee shops, friendly people, kayaking, a great harbor, bike trails and winter sports? When a potential tourist or potential resident hears that Alpena is a sanctuary, will they think of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary or a gun-rights sanctuary?

Follow the example of Cool Marquette County which admitted they don’t have the authority to tell the prosecutor or sheriff how to do their jobs enforcing the law. They unanimously passed a resolution saying they support the Constitution and all its amendments, which includes the Second Amendment. Period.

GARY GOREN,

Alpena

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