M.C. Commissioners declare county as a Second Amendment Sanctuary County

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 3:00 AM

By Kathy Bottorff

After being asked by resident Don Nunemaker to consider declaring Marshall County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County at the November 3rd commissioners meeting, the Marshall County Commissioners took official action on Monday.

A resolution created by County Attorney Sean Surrisi used language from the U.S. Constitution that states, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

The purpose and intent of the resolution, unanimously passed by the Marshall County Commissioners on Monday, is to declare Marshall County as a Second Amendment Sanctuary County, to ensure the ongoing protection of the people’s right to keep and bear arms.

Before considering, Stan Klotz, President of the Commissioners, commented that there is concern from some citizens. He went on to say, “What this does is basically reinforces the Constitution. What it does not do is allow anybody who has committed a felony or any crime, and it does not supersede when the court tells them they cannot have a weapon.”

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon, who asked the County Attorney to create the resolution for consideration, stated, “It doesn’t do away with federal background checks on transactions of licensed dealers."

The resolution states that Marshall County vows not to pass any laws that regulate: 1) firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories; 2) the ownership, possession, carrying, transportation, registration, transfer, and storage of firearms, ammunition, and firearm accessories; and 3) commerce in and taxation of firearms, firearm ammunition, and firearm accessories. “In Marshall County, the people’s fundamental right to keep and bear arms shall always be respected to the fullest extent of the law.”

In April of 2021, Nunemaker made the same request to the Marshall County Commissioners but failed to gain their support, as they felt the U.S. Constitution protected citizens' right to bear arms.