In response to increasing activism and support for gun control, more and more counties have approved resolutions to become Second Amendment or gun sanctuary counties.

Carter County is now among those counties, which are considering adopting the measure. This is “gun” territory.  Probably, a large majority of Carter County residents own a gun, and many more than one gun. The Second Amendment of the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to own a gun.

It seems that gun laws come up in every session of the Tennessee Legislature. In recent legislative sessions, gun rights have been expanded, making it easier for people to get a concealed carry permit or adding to the list of places where people can legally carry a gun.

Did you know that in 2018, the Tennessee Legislature enacted a law that allows law enforcement agencies to offer gun safety classes or programs for elementary school students, as long as they don’t use live ammunition or live fire.

Other gun laws enacted:

• Authorizes community corrections offices in several counties to carry handguns while on duty

• Allows county commissioners who have permits to carry handguns in buildings in which the commission meetings are held

• Authorizes people, businesses and governments to allow concealed carry of handguns on their property while prohibiting other weapons or the open carry of firearms; establishes posting requirements for concealed firearms by permit only signs.

•  Applicants for handgun carry permits are exempted from firing range and classroom hours requirements if they’ve completed a department of corrections firearms qualification in the last five years.

Tennessee legislators enacted 12 firearms bills in the 2018 legislature.

Whether for hunting, sport or protection, there is nothing wrong with gun ownership. It is a right provided for in the United States Constitution. We know the vast majority of gun owners are responsible and abide by the laws.

We also agree with those who are pushing for restrictions, such as banning assault weapons, high capacity magazines, and the carrying of concealed weapons on school grounds. Having these assault weapons, that are weapons of war, and high-capacity magazine in the general populator is dangerous.

Every day we hear of shootings, some in small towns like Elizabethton. It is people, not guns, in need of protection.  We do not see Second Amendment rights as being under attack – as some would suggest – based on the enactment of the gun-control measures in the Tennessee Legislature this past session.

The “gun sanctuary” trend spreading across the country in support of Second Amendment rights has raised questions about just who is allowed to decide what is or isn’t constitutional where guns are concerned. The term is a play on the phrase “sanctuary city,” which describes cities where political and law enforcement leaders limit their cooperation with federal immigration policies and vow to protect immigrant rights.

“Gun sanctuary,” advocates say they, too, deserve protection — from lawmakers in the capital pushing for stricter laws on firearms.

We are reminded that the Supreme Court is the ultimate interpreter and guardian of the Constitution.

We’re in danger of destroying the basic fabrics of representative democracy by saying we can decide what’s constitutional or what isn’t. We’re not opposed to this because it’s about guns, but because we think it violates the principles of what we think our country is founded on.

No one – at least, no responsible participant in the debate over this issue – is calling for the indiscriminate confiscation of guns.

We understand the desire of some to make a political statement through the adoption of “Second Amendment sanctuary” status for their community. But, we think the time, energy and attention of our leaders is better spent on addressing other matters.