What is a Constitutional Sanctuary?
A Constitutional Sanctuary is simply a municipality that has declared itself to be a safe haven for various constitutionally protected rights. While the concept of Constitutional Sanctuaries started with Second Amendment Sanctuaries, it was expanded upon as multiple states began locking down their citizens and stripping them of their Constitutional Rights.
You should not confuse a Constitutional Sanctuary with the more commonly known, “Sanctuary City,” which liberals have often used as a means to defy federal immigration laws. The term Constitutional Sanctuary only applies to a sanctuary for a right which is protected by the Constitution of the United States of America.
Cities, towns, counties, boroughs, states and other municipalities have declared themselves to be Constitutional Sanctuaries of one form or another by various means. Generally, local elected politicians will pass a declaration, resolution, ordinance, bill, act or other form of legislation to declare themselves to be a Constitutional Sanctuary.
One of the main differences in these various methods to declare a Constitutional Sanctuary is the extent to which that sanctuary actually has the force of law. Generally, declarations and resolutions do not have any force of law and are often considered symbolic, while ordinances, bills, acts, etc. are considered to actually be enforceable.
There are now multiple types of Constitutional Sanctuaries that have been passed in the United States. There are Second Amendment Sanctuaries, Bill of Rights Sanctuaries, Sanctuaries for Business, Pro-Life Sanctuaries, COVID-19 Sanctuaries and Religion Sanctuaries.
Source: ConstitutionalSanctuaries.com/what-is-a-constitutional-sanctuary/
Many Indiana counties have already joined the Constitutional Sanctuary movement. For example, the Kosciusko County, IN County Attorney, Edward Ormsby, reported that at their County Commissioners’ meeting on December 22, 2020, the commissioners unanimously passed two significant bills — a Constitutional Rights Sanctuary Resolution and a Constitutional Rights Sanctuary Ordinance.
According to InkFreeNews, the idea for this effort was initially introduced by, “Scott Metcalf who first suggested the idea to commissioners. When he first brought it up earlier that year, the idea was focused on protecting the Second Amendment.”
Mr. Ormsby made a point to stress how important their expanded resolution/ordinance is because its scope has been broadened to include, “both the 2nd Amendment and other Constitutional rights that seem to be in jeopardy at this point in our country’s history.”
Resolution date passed: 22 Dec 2020
Verification Citation/Source: Kosciusko County, County Attorney
Vote Count: Unanimous
Source:
SanctuaryCounties.com/2020/12/22/kosciusko-county-indiana-is-now-a-constitutional-rights-sanctuary/
Using the Kosciusko County Resolution and Ordinance referenced above as a template, the following document was drafted by BrownCountyLiberty.com, with the hope that the idea will gain traction and that Brown County will step up and join the Constitutional Sanctuary Movement.
Click the PDF icon to view or download the proposed Resolution & Ordinance:
This site is outstanding. So, in Brown County, who takes the proposal to the Commissioners. Is the sheriff bypassed? or is his blessing needed?
Still figuring that out, Mary. But from his response to date, it will probably not happen with the full-throated support of our sheriff, unfortunately.