TOP STORY OF THE DAY: Commissioners pass resolution in support of gun rights

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

The Clay County Commissioners passed a resolution in support of the 2nd Amendment (the Right to Bear Arms) and took bids for highway improvements under advisement at their meeting on Monday in the Clay County Court House.

The Court House remains closed but the Commissioners felt the meeting was necessary.

Stephen Brannan, general manager of Pro Teq Firearms Academy said, “I come before the Clay County Commissioners asking that they take action, on behalf of thousands of Clay County residents, to protect our right to keep and bear arms. It is disturbing that so many of my fellow Americans feel that right is so threatened when it is protected by both the 2nd Amendment of the US Constitution and Article 1, Section 32 of the Indiana Constitution.”

Brannan said both the U.S. Government and the State of Indiana “have passed edicts which have turned the right to keep and bear arms into a privilege to be bought and sold.

He cited laws that require “buying a gun permit or submitting to a background check to purchase a firearm.”

In response, Commissioner Paul Sinders noted the National Rifle Association praised Gov. Eric Holcomb for reaffirming the 2nd Amendment during the pandemic.

All three Commissioners said they support the 2nd Amendment.

Commissioner Marty Heffner said the only thing that kept the Japanese from invading California was the idea “there would be someone behind every tree ready to shoot them.”

The Clay County Commissioners passed a resolution that “the Board of Commissioners supports the right of individuals to keep and bear arms as provided for by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Indiana Constitution.

Among other business, the Commissioners received bids from Wabash Valley Asphalt to pave portions of roads, if the county receives the Community Crossroads grant and if the bids are found to be acceptable.

Commissioner Sinders said he was told the grants would be announced “in a few days.”

Last year, the grant announcement was made on April 1.

The County Commissioners applied for the maximum amount, $1 million.

Clay County Surveyor Vernon Maesch asked for a list of the roads being considered for paving so a crew can do digging necessary for section corner perpetuation before paving is done to avoid tearing up new paving materials.

Finally, Commissioner Sinders noted the passing of Jack Knust, a member of the drainage board, a property owner and leader of Indiana Farm Bureau. Marshall Nuckolls was approved to fulfill Jack Knust’s term on the drainage board.

At this time, no future meetings of the Clay County Commissioners have been scheduled as long as the Governor’s Stay at Home order remains in effect.

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