SW Iowa Times

Mills County has declared itself a “Second Amendment Sanctuary,” which would prevent local resources from being used to enforce laws that violate the U.S. Constitution, WOWT reported.

The resolution by the Mills County Board of Supervisors passed 3-0, the story said.

According to a news release, the “Second Amendment Sanctuary legislation at the county level does not supersede federal law,” the station reported. “It does prevent local resources from being used to enforce measures that are at odds with the U.S. Constitution.”

Mills is the largest county in Iowa to declare itself a sanctuary, the group Sanctuary Counties tweeted.

Richard Crouch, chair of the Mills County board, “moved this because of citizens bringing their concerns on this issue to him and the other supervisors,” according to a post on Iowa Firearms Coalition's website. 

The coalition, which describes itself as “the preeminent organization defending Second Amendment rights in Iowa," thanked Crouch and the other two members of the board who voted for the resolution in the post.

“IFC appreciates their work and perseverance in protecting the civil liberties of their constituents,” Michael Ware, chairman of the group and the post's author, wrote. “When elected officials like the Mills County Board of Supervisors stand up and make it known they seek to protect fundamental rights, the correct message is offered well beyond their county lines. They just told you all they aren’t blinded by color, sex, or creed. Rather, that your core rights come first, no matter what, and they wish to protect them universally. That’s good governance, my friends.”

Ware wrote that counties are acting proactively on the issue.

“What we’re seeing is several people communicating with their supervisors in some counties and other counties proactively pledging their support in others,” Ware wrote. "I always suggest proactive governance in this realm, but, I also believe that citizens are charged with being engaged on all these issues.”