Second Amendment sanctuary on the ballot in Coos County – KEZI TV

COOS BAY, Ore. -- The Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance,Measure 6-181,has made it on the ballot this year in Coos County.

The measure aims to create a sanctuary zone for the Second Amendment. That means Coos County officials would not be able to enforce state and federal gun control regulations if passed.

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If the measure passes, conceal carry laws and bans preventing the mentally ill from owning a gun would be removed.

However, the measure technically doesnt apply to background checks because they are done through private gun retailers, not county officials.

We think people should be allowed to go to court to defend themselves before they have their guns taken away, said Coos County resident Rob Taylor.

Taylor told KEZI 9 News that he helped draft and campaign for the measure.He said the measure was designed to counter Oregons Red Flag Law, which allows the courts to take guns away from people who may want to hurt themselves or others.

People may be afraid of someone who lives with them, said Taylor. But that doesnt justify the fact that people have the right to have their day in court.

However, the proposed measure would apply to count officials and not city governments or police departments, which could still choose to enforce gun control restrictions. Also, gun control restrictions would also continue to be in place for convicted felons, even if the measure passes.

In Coos County, there have been mixed opinions about the measure.

Coos Bay resident Tristan Avelis told KEZI 9 News that he will be voting no.He said it is extremely irresponsible and hes concerned it could make the sheriffs job a lot harder.

What these people are saying is that they want to prohibit the enforcement when they want to break rules at a state, federal or municipal level, said Avelis.

However, Joshua Walters, the owners of Orco Gunworks in Coos Bay said he will be voting yes.

He said everyone has the right to owning a gun, and the proposed measure is the first step in securing that right.

If someone was killed with a gun, its the guns fault, he said. Guns are bad. Lets get rid of guns. No, it doesnt work that way. If I wanted to hurt a bunch of people, I would steal a garbage truck and run it through a school.

KEZI 9 News reached out to the sheriffs office for comment, but they did not get back to us.

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Second Amendment sanctuary on the ballot in Coos County - KEZI TV