Commissioners approve Second Amendment resolution

Perkins County joined a growing list of counties who have approved a resolution to affirm the right to bear arms as granted under the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights. 

Commissioners Ron Hagan, Sid Colson and Steve Tucker voted unanimously to support  the resolution during their regular meeting Monday, April 5. 

The resolution states “the Perkins County Board of Commissioners hereby declares that it supports the rights and liberties of all county citizens guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Nebraska.”

It goes a step further by showing their support for the sheriff to defend gun rights. 

The resolution says the county board “affirms that it supports the duly elected sheriff of Perkins County” and also “affirms it resolve to support decisions by the sheriff to defend the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Nebraska.”

A total of 31 counties have previously approved the resolution, basically establishing themselves as “Second Amendment Sanctuary Counties.”

Perkins County was among five more counties were the resolution was on the meeting agenda between March 31 and April 5. 

Neighboring counties Keith, Chase and Hayes have already approved the measure. Hitchcock County was addressing the issue this week as well. 

The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution grants the right to citizens to keep and bear arms. It states: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.”

The first Article of the Nebraska Constitution sets out many of the rights included in the U.S. Bill of Rights and especially “the right to keep and bear arms for security or defense of self, family, home, and others . . .”

It also includes use of arms for hunting and recreational  activities. 

The resolution states the U.S. Supreme Court has held the Second Amendment applies to state and local governments, as well. 

All three commissioners and Sheriff Jim Brueggeman noted they had citizenry input supporting the action. 

“People knew it was on the agenda and they are in support of it happening and would like to see it happen,” Brueggeman said.

Tucker said he had people in support of the resolution that he would have expected. 

Legislative Bill on the issue

District 33 Senator Steve Halloran of Hastings introduced LB188 this session, coined as  the Second Amendment Preservation Act.

LB188 prohibits any agent or employee of the state of Nebraska or of any political subdivision from participating in the enforcement of any federal directive regarding a firearm, firearm accessory or ammunition that does not exist under state law.

Gun rights have come under increasing scrutiny.

Recent mass shootings in Colorado and Georgia have intensified calls for more gun control legislation at the federal level. 

Nebraska’s bill would prevent enforcement of any federal gun laws that are not in Nebraska law.

The bill remains in the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. It is not a priority bill so it’s questionable whether the bill will come before the Legislature during the remainder of this year’s  90 day session. 

More stimulus $$ coming

County Treasurer Julie Sestak requested the commissioners create a new account to receive money from President Biden’s second stimulus package. 

Sestak said the county will be receiving $565,000 as part of the COVID American Rescue Plan.

She said the money is to be used for infrastructure improvements. 

Brueggeman, who also prepares the budget for the county, advised commissioners there will be federal guidelines on how the money can be spent. 

The money will come in two payments 12 months apart, he said. 

“This could spread out over a couple of fiscal years,” he said. 

Sestak said they expect to see the first payment in May. 

One thing the money can’t be used for is to reduce the county’s tax levy. 

In addition, the money must all be spent by Dec. 31, 2024, she said.