“Every county in the United States need to do this. Will that happen? Probably not. But it will here in Kentucky.”
FALMOUTH, Ky. - Firing back at an increase in new gun laws, Pendleton County could be the first in the Tri-State to be deemed a Second Amendment sanctuary.
What would that mean?
Pendleton County Judge Magistrate Darrin Gregg knows his resolution doesn’t hold much weight right now. But he’s hoping other counties will follow suit.
“It’s all starting to … whew ... it’s all coming. I don’t want to be left behind,” said Gregg.
Gregg said his resolution is about taking a stand.
“It’s a way to say to Frankfort, ‘We support the Second Amendment, we still support Second Amendment, and we’re not going to let you take it away. We in Pendleton County in District 3 are not, are not - I repeat - are not going to let you come and confiscate our firearms! That’s our God-given right.’”
Gregg said he sees Virginia lawmakers promising stricter gun laws in that state, so he wants to take a proactive step.
“If we can lead the way, we’ll be glad to lead it,” Gregg said.
New Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has voiced that he would not support an assault rifle ban but he would support a “red flag” law. That would allow police to temporarily confiscate firearms from people deemed by a judge to be a danger.
Gregg said he doesn’t want to take any chances.
“Maybe he wants to take our bump stocks,” said Gregg. “Maybe he wants to take our 30-round clips.
"‘No. You’re not taking nothing. That’s our right. You’re not taking nothing. Once you start biting, once you start biting, you want a bigger bite next time.’”
The resolution would largely be symbolic - a political statement.
“He has the right to say, 'We want your guns.' Maybe we have the right to say, 'No, you can’t have them,'” Gregg said.
If passed, Pendleton County would follow Harlan and Marshall counties in adopting legislation for becoming a Second Amendment sanctuary in the Bluegrass State.
“If the Good Lord’s willing and the creeks don’t rise, we’ll get this on the books,” Gregg said.
Gregg is hoping the resolution will be read during the first caucus meeting of next year. A vote could happen in February.
