Ducey Signs Bill Making Arizona A Second Amendment Sanctuary

Last Tuesday, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey signed HB 2111, effectively making the entire state a Second Amendment sanctuary. In effect, the new law prevents state and local governments from implementing federal gun control laws. HB 2111’s supporters say that Arizona’s new laws protect residents from any attempts to violate the Second Amendment. 

RELATED: Biden To Announce Extreme Gun Control Executive Orders

Arizona To Exercise Sovereign Authority 

According to HB 2111, the Arizona State Constitution provides “sovereign authority” to state legislators. The bill’s text cites Article II Section 3 of the Arizona State Constitution. Specifically, the section declares that the “The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land.”

“Arizona stands with law-abiding gun owners. The Second Amendment guarantees vital liberties, just like the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech and the Fourth Amendment prevents unreasonable searches and seizures,” state Rep. Leo Biasiucci (R), the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement. “If the zealous gun-grabbers in Washington try to disarm citizens in the name of political posturing, we’re not going to allow it in Arizona,” it read. 

Second Amendment Sanctuary 

In essence, what HB 2111 does is simple. “Arizona will protect law-abiding gun holders,” said Representative Leo Biasiucci (R). “If the federal government does anything that tries to infringe on our second amendment in the state of Arizona, we're not going to comply. I was voted into office to protect our constitution.

The Biden Administration was clear that they want to ban AR-15s, high-capacity magazines, and we don’t think that’s right. Our Arizona gun laws are strong and we believe that law-abiding gun owners have the right to bear arms,” Biasiucci said.

Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb backed a similar Second Amendment sanctuary policy. Pinal County’s board of supervisors contemplated a similar resolution. “I’m out amongst the constituents every day and I get more questions about the Second Amendment and our support and questions about our support for the Second Amendment, more than I do anything else.

I reiterated to them that as a sheriff I took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and I’m going to do that at every turn,” he said. Many people falsely think that the Second Amendment applies only to hunter purposes. However, Lamb insists that this belief is entirely false.

“The Second Amendment was put in place for the key reason of avoiding another tyrannical government. The Second Amendment is what allows us to keep the government in check and voice our opinions, whether we disagree or agree with something.”

Others Not So Thrilled

However, not everybody is thrilled with the new law. In fact, Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said he isn’t a fan of the bill. Specifically, he believes HB 2111 puts law enforcement offices like him in an awkward position. “There’s a political motivation.

It’s one of those emotional issues but as far as the impact on law enforcement, it will create confusion or challenges more than benefits or protecting the Second Amendment. The people who wrote it really didn’t sit down and have a thoughtful conversation as to the application,” Penzone told KTAR Radio last week. “

“I’m just a little bit confused as to what value it offers. It’s arbitrary,” he explained. “You could make the easy argument saying it’s a state practice – the person has a right to bear arms, therefore you’re in conflict with that.

Now you’re putting officers or deputies in this position where they’re questioning whether or not some other entity will determine if it’s in conflict with the Second Amendment, therefore do we act on it? And that’s where it creates problems.”

Arizona Joins Other Second Amendment Sanctuary States

Similarly, other states and local governments across the country have passed similar legislation. Known as “Second Amendment sanctuaries,” this type of legislation is getting steam among red states with strong gun advocacies. Gun rights activists hailed Second Amendment sanctuaries as it represents a commitment to protect the right to bear arms. 

Besides, the federal government will still depend on individual states to enforce the gun control agenda. Ultimately, the burden falls on county sheriffs, many of whom believe in the constitutionality of owning firearms. Consequently, a Second Amendment sanctuary is a legalized declaration that they will continue to look at the Second Amendment as supreme law. 

In Time Before Biden Announces New Gun Laws

President Joe Biden has vowed to take up the gun control agenda, with a push for a ban on “assault weapons,” “high capacity” magazines, and universal background checks. Reportedly, the White House plans to announce up to six new gun control measures this Thursday. Among the measures expected to come out are those against ghost guns, regulate stabilizing braces on AR pistols, and set model red flag laws. 

However, Ducey beat them to the punch by signing HB 2111 into law Wednesday. This way, Arizona won’t feel compelled to enforce anything they see that violates the US constitution, with emphasis on the Second Amendment.

Watch the 12 News video featuring the segment: Arizona’s Gun Laws explained:

Do you support Arizona’s moves to establish a statewide Second Amendment sanctuary? Is your state also a Second Amendment Sanctuary? In addition, do you think Second Amendment Sanctuaries can shield states from federal gun laws? Let us know what you think. Share your comments below.