The Navajo County Board of Directors unanimously decided last week to protect “the inalienable and individual right of the people to keep and carry weapons”.
The resolution states that the county and the sheriff’s department will not use human or financial resources to enforce, administer, or cooperate with any acts, laws, contracts, orders, rules, or regulations of the U.S. government that are related to any such act Law incompatible are state on the regulations for firearms. “
The resolution cites the recent passage of the state’s House Bill 2111, which prohibits the police and sheriff’s staff from enforcing federal gun laws that are considered to be in violation of the second amendment. Local police are likely to have yet to enforce state firearms laws.
The resolution effectively adds Navajo County to the growing list of Second Amendment sanctuaries and cities that have chosen to choose which federal laws to enforce regarding gun ownership.
Amid a string of mass shootings and rising murder rates, the Biden administration has urged Congress to adopt a series of new gun control measures. Suggested actions include:
• Requiring background checks for people who buy guns at gun shows
• Adding “friends” to the group of people who could lose their right to own guns if convicted of stalking
• Prohibition of offensive weapons and high-capacity magazines
• Removal of liability from gun manufacturers in certain circumstances
• Investing in community violence interventions
• Extension of the “red flag” laws, which would allow the police to temporarily confiscate the weapons of anyone who poses a danger to themselves or others pending a full trial
• Requires serial numbers for parts that are now often assembled into unregistered “ghost pistols”
• Restricting sales of things like high capacity magazines and stabilizing brackets that effectively turn a pistol into a short barreled rifle
• Issuing an annual report on efforts to limit the arms trade
According to the Gun Violence Archive, gun violence killed 20,000 people in the United States last year and firearms were used in another 25,000 suicides. Another 40,000 people were injured with firearms.
The US set a record for firearms in 2020, up 3,600 from the previous record high in 2017. The death toll averages 100 per day.
Americans bought 23 million guns in 2020 – a 64% increase from 2019, according to a report published in the Washington Post.
Arizona has one of the most prevalent gun laws in the country, including the need not to require permits to carry a concealed firearm. The state has no restrictions on the sale of assault rifles or large capacity magazines. State stand your ground law does not require anyone to withdraw with a gun before using lethal force against their property. Individuals convicted of crime and domestic violence may lose their right to own or carry a firearm, as well as corporations and governments
Legislators this year examined a number of draft bills to further liberalize the state’s weapons law. Senator Wendy Rogers, who represents the White Mountains, introduced SB 1382 to add arms deals to the list of essential deals that could not be closed due to COVID-19 restrictions. According to Legiscan, the law was passed.
HB 2827 would prohibit any government or financial institution discrimination against a firearms company sponsored by both Rogers and Rep. Walter Blackman, R-Show Low. It made it through several committees but, according to Legiscan, didn’t get a majority of the votes.
HB 2449 would tighten control over the sale and distribution of firearms and restrict sales by private parties. It died on the committee.
HB 2450 would require pediatric and medical personnel to provide parents or guardians with gun security measures in the home. According to the 2020 Child Fatality Review, 36 children in the state died as a result of gun deaths – mostly when they got their hands on loaded guns that were not locked up. It died on the committee.
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