As the Biden Border Crisis continues unchecked, Chicago and New York City recently made news with their efforts to push back against the shipping of illegal aliens to their respective “sanctuary cities.”
But here’s the thing: Both Democrat-run cities were all in with respect to their sanctuary status — until they were hit with the challenge of actually providing sanctuary. In other words, typical liberal hypocrisy.
In this article, we’ll look at another type of sanctuary status, recently adopted by a township in Michigan — a sanctuary status that’s likely to steel the resolve of those who support it — and live under it — while driving the left and others who oppose it up the proverbial wall.
The Holton Township Board of Trustees in Michigan’s Muskegon County last Tuesday adopted a resolution declaring the township a “Second Amendment Sanctuary” and also adopted an addendum establishing a township militia.
Self-explanatory, on the surface:
Whereas, the Holton Township Board declares and confirms to express its intent to stand as a Sanctuary Township for Second Amendment rights, and to oppose, within the limits of the Constitution of the United States and the Commonwealth of Michigan, any efforts to unconstitutionally restrict such rights.
You can read the entire resolution here.
Holton Township officials made clear to the media that the resolution means the township will not enforce red flag laws restricting firearms or ammunition possession. As noted by my colleague Jeff Charles in March, so-called “red flag” orders, or Emergency Risk Protection Orders:
[Have long been promoted by the left] as a way to prevent gun violence by allowing law enforcement to temporarily seize firearms from individuals deemed to be a danger to themselves or others. While this may sound like a good idea on the surface, there are several compelling reasons not to rely on this approach.
First and foremost, red flag laws violate due process and the constitutional rights of gun owners. Under these laws, individuals can have their firearms confiscated based solely on the suspicion of a third party, without being given the opportunity to defend themselves or even be heard in court. This is a clear violation of the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, which protect against unreasonable searches and seizures, and guarantee due process of law.
Moreover, red flag laws are inherently subjective and can be easily abused. The criteria for determining who is a “dangerous” individual are often vague and open to interpretation, leaving room for personal bias and political agendas to influence the decision-making process.
In other words, in the case of the Holton County Township Board: “Not in our township. Not on our watch.”
The Township Militia Addendum
The Militia Public Security Act addendum states the township is adopting “policies necessary for the security and rights of Holton Township residents,” including a militia compromised of everyday citizens.
Legal residents of the township are eligible to join the militia and may make their intentions known by acknowledging their intent on social media or stating their intent by letter to the Township Militia. Restrictions include:
Candidates must be over the age of 18.
Candidates must pass a federal firearms background check.
Militia members must provide their own firearms, adhering to all federal, executive, county, and state regulations.
According to the addendum, long guns with stocks that hit the shoulder, including semi-automatic rifles and shotguns, must have been legal by federal law since March 27, 2021.
Pistols and handguns, including semi-automatics, are required to have been legal by federal law since March 27, 2021, as well.
Any caliber ammunition determined legal by federal standards since March 27, 2021, is acceptable. The same date and legal determinations also apply to stocks, grips, optics, magazines, clips, suppressors, and body armor.
I don’t say this to disparage any group of Americans — but merely to illustrate a stereotype derisively portrayed by the left — but clearly, the people of Holton Township who put together this resolution are not a bunch of gun-waving rednecks running around in beat-up pickup trucks. Also clearly, their focus was clear: “If we want this done right, we’re going to have to do it ourselves.”
The Bottom Line
By all appearances, the Holton Township Board of Trustees clearly understands, and agrees with, the safety concerns of township residents. And it not only believes in the Second Amendment right to bear arms but also understands the threats posed by the gun-grabbers on the left and the Democrat Party as a whole.
Oh, and that thing about “the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun,” too.
