Lyon County Commission agrees to resolution opposing Nevada gun background check law
The Lyon County Board of Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved a resolution stating its opposition to Nevada's new gun background check law.
Lyon and other rural counties in Nevada have come out strong against SB143, a law signed earlier this year by Gov. Steve Sisolak that would require background checks on most private gun sales and transfers.
After several minutes of debate Commissioner Joe Mortensen moved to approve the resolution, Commissioner Vida Keller seconded the motion. Sheriff Frank Hunewill testified in favor of the Resolution, according to Lyon County's Facebook page.
Chairman Hastings then opened the issue for public comment. All that spoke were supportive of the resolution. The motion passed 5-0.
It reads as follows:
RESOLUTION NO. 2019-06
RESOLUTION OF THE LYON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS STATING ITS SUPPORT FOR THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS AND OPPOSITION TO LAWS WHICH RESTRICT THE INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS OF
UNITED STATES CITIZENS AS PROTECTED BY THE SECOND AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ARTICLE I, SECTION 11 OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF NEVADA
WHEREAS, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, adopted in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, states “the right of the people to keep and bear arms,
shall not be infringed”; and
WHEREAS, Article I, Section 11 of the Constitution of the State of Nevada states, “Every citizen has the right to keep and bear arms for security and defense, for lawful hunting and recreational use and for other lawful purposes”; and
WHEREAS, the Right of the people to keep and bear arms for defense of life, liberty and property is regarded as an inalienable right by the citizens of Lyon County; and
WHEREAS, the residents of Lyon County derive economic benefit from all safe forms of firearms recreation, hunting, and shooting conducted within the County; and
WHEREAS, in 2016 Lyon County voters overwhelmingly opposed State Question No. 1 which proposed to amend Chapter 202 of the Nevada Revised Statutes to prohibit, except in certain circumstances, a person from selling or transferring a firearm to another person unless a federally licensed dealer first conducted a federal background
check; and
WHEREAS, Lyon County Board of Commissioners, are elected to represent the residents of Lyon County and by their Oath of Office must uphold the United States
Constitution, the Constitution of the State of Nevada, and the government of the State of Nevada, including, but not limited to, the lawful Right to Keep and Bear Arms;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Lyon County Board of County Commissioners does hereby support the Constitutional rights of its citizens, including the 2nd Amendment and Article I, Section 11 of the Nevada Constitution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lyon County Board of County Commissioners opposes the enactment of any legislation, state or federal, that would unconstitutionally infringe upon the lawful rights of residents to keep and bear arms including the rights of private individuals to lawfully sell or transfer their legally-owned firearms without undue government burden.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Lyon County Board of Commissioners affirms its support for the duly elected Sheriff of Lyon County, Nevada in the exercise of his lawful discretion and duties.
PASSED, ADOPTED and APPROVED this 21st day of March, 2019, by the following vote of the Lyon County Board of Commissioners.