It was standing room only in the Uintah County Commission Chambers on Wednesday morning when the Uintah County Commission voted unanimously to pass Ordinance No. 01-27-2002 O2, designating Uintah County as the first Second Amendment Sanctuary County in the state of Utah. There were several rounds of applause during the meeting and all present appeared to be in support of the Ordinance with several people from the public stating on the record their appreciation for the Sheriff and Commissioners in taking action. Chief Deputy Attorney Jonathan Stearmer explained that an Ordinance is an actual enforceable law as opposed to a Resolution that is a position statement. Making the choice to become a Second Amendment Sanctuary means Uintah County has joined a movement sweeping the nation aimed at protecting the right to keep and bear arms. That movement was prompted largely by actions taking place in the State of Virginia where the Virginia Democratic Party has gained full control of the house and has introduced a long list of gun reform bills in Virginia Legislature. During Wednesday’s meeting, Commissioner Bart Haslem shared that Uintah County has taken the lead on this movement in Utah and other Counties in the state have requested copies of the Ordinance once approved for them to review. Commissioner Bill Stringer said that is is sad to be at this point in our nation’s history but that it has become necessary. Sheriff Steve Labrum stated that this is an act of ‘We The People’ taking a stand across the nation. Commissioner Haslem, Commissioner Horrocks, Chief Deputy Attorney Stearmer, and Sheriff Steve Labrum discussed the details and legality of being a Second Amendment Sanctuary County during an interview on Newstalk KVEL’s Monday radio forum on January 27th. Audio of that interview can be accessed on www.BasinNow.com under the Community tab and by clicking the Public Affairs link.
