Sanctuary Cities Aren’t Just For Illegals; They Can Be For Guns, Too

For decades America’s most liberal cities have thumbed their noses at the federal government, by becoming sanctuary cities and refusing to capture and prosecute illegal immigrants. The issue has gained renewed interest since the election of Donald Trump, who has threatened to revoke funding for these cities unless they begin to comply with federal immigration laws.

States like California have responded by trying to push through legislation that would make the entire state a sanctuary for illegal immigrants, and by even threatening to withhold taxes from the federal government. As much as it might pain conservatives, it appears that sanctuary cities are going to continue to thumb their noses at the feds and the Trump administration for the foreseeable future.

However, as upsetting as it is that entire cities are ignoring laws that protect our sovereignty, the idea of a sanctuary city isn’t as bad as you might think. I don’t see anything wrong with the basic premise of a community or a city ignoring laws that they think are harmful to them. I only disagree with it in regards to illegal immigration. Cities should be allowed to do this, provided they’re willing to face the consequences, such as defunding by the feds.

The only real problem with the idea of sanctuary cities is that conservatives and libertarians haven’t utilized the concept in their own communities. They haven’t worked up the nerve to ignore the onerous rules of a government they have long complained about. For instance, why haven’t they decided to create sanctuaries for gun rights? Places where cities and towns can ignore state and federal gun laws that they don’t like?

Well we may be about to see that very situation unfold in Oregon for the first time.

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – A measure challenging gun regulations is popping up around the state. Since 2015, four counties have passed a measure known as the Second Amendment Preservation ordinance, and commissioners in Malheur, Union and Lake counties have heard the same measure in the past few weeks.

The ordinance is a reaction to the Oregon Firearms Safety Act, passed by the state Legislature in 2015, which requires background checks for transfers of firearms between private parties. These county ordinances allow sheriffs to ignore this law – which gun advocates see as unconstitutional…

…Rob Taylor of Coos County is one of the chief petitioners for the Second Amendment Preservation ordinance. He said he wants Oregon to have what he called “sanctuary counties” for the Second Amendment.

“The same way Oregon has become a sanctuary state for immigration,” he said.

So far the legality of the measure is still being debated in Oregon, but hopefully it’ll succeed. At the very least it will give libertarians and conservatives a few ideas, and show them that yes, sanctuary cities and states aren’t just for the left. If the left decides to ignore federal laws that they don’t like, then two can play at that game.