Board backs pro-gun resolution

By Joe Leicht
Tuesday, July 17, 2007 1:39 PM CDT

Monroe County Commissioners, seated, from left, Terry Liefer, Dale Haudrich and Delbert Wittenauer sign a resolution backing the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and opposing current state gun-control proposals. Witnessing the signing are Jay Vogt, Judy Vogt, Mark Baum, Jack Rainey, Alice Rainey, Mr. & Mrs. Bill Watters, Kathy Roth, Don Roth and Kevin Hirsch. Mark Kurtz photo

The Monroe County Board and a dozen or so local gun owners who attended Monday's regular board meeting were all smiles when the board put pen to paper and added Monroe County to a growing list of counties that officially oppose any new gun-control proposals.

The commissioners, who tabled action on the proposed model resolution presented by resident and attorney Neil Giffhorn on July 2, were unanimous in their support of the measure, which underscores the 2nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and condemns current legislative proposals.

"We felt it necessary to look at the whole issue, to see if anything was in this we needed to get background on," Haudrich said. "We're happy to support it."Jack Rainey, a Renault-area resident, said, "I know this is symbolic, it's not binding. But it lets me know as a Monroe County citizen, gun owner and believer in my 2nd Amendment rights."

Rainey and his wife Alice volunteer their weekends distributing information at gun shows in Belleville and Collinsville.

"I've been fighting for at least 12 years against the anti-gunners," Rainey said. "I know who they are. If you pass more gun laws, who is going to obey them? Only the law-abiding citizens. The criminals won't."

So far, 11 counties, including Randolph County, have passed the resolution and another dozen or so have been presented the resolution.