WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) - Commissioners in one of North Carolina’s most populous counties have adopted a largely symbolic resolution declaring the county’s support for the Second Amendment rights of individuals to keep and bear arms.
Forsyth County Commissioners voted 4-3 along party lines Thursday for a resolution which declares the county to be what it termed a “constitutional rights protection county,” the Winston-Salem Journal reported.
The four Republican commissioners rejected a resolution pitched by their Democratic counterparts that said the county supported the entire Bill of Rights without singling out the Second Amendment.
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The resolution adopted by the board, like others before it, is mostly symbolic since county government in North Carolina is subordinate to state government.
Immediately after the vote, Democratic commissioner Tonya McDaniel ripped up a copy of the resolution. She later apologized and indicated that she allowed her feelings to get away from her.
“I am a mother who lost her son to gun violence,” said McDaniel, calling the resolution unnecessary because people have the protection of Winston-Salem police and the county sheriff’s office.
McDaniel added: “There is no need to think we are taking anything away from you … are we saying the other amendments don’t matter? … I already support the protection of the Second Amendment because all lives matter.”
Commissioner Gloria Whisenhunt, a Republican, said that while it was true that commissioners swore to uphold the entire Constitution, the resolution was being brought forward because of the fear some people have about their Second Amendment rights.
“Some folks do not understand this fear,” Whisenhunt said, “but I share your concern for the Second Amendment.”
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