Houghton County board adopts 'Affirming Support of All Constitutional Rights' resolution amid mixed public reaction
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Summary
The board adopted Resolution #23-10 (4–1) affirming support for constitutional rights including the right to keep and bear arms and urging increased mental health funding; one commissioner voted no and members of the public expressed both support and concern about legal and procedural implications.
The Houghton County Board of Commissioners on April 11 adopted Resolution No. 23-10, titled “Affirming Support of All Constitutional Rights, Including, But Not Limited To, The Right Of The People To Keep And Bear Arms,” by a 4–1 roll call vote.
The resolution, presented by Pastor Brian Mason on behalf of the Concerned Citizens Group, states the board’s support for the U.S. and Michigan constitutions and urges state legislators not to adopt certain gun-control measures listed in the text (for example, red flag laws as defined in the resolution, registration requirements for certain firearms, mandatory storage schemes, additional ownership limitations and other measures the resolution says may infringe constitutional guarantees). It also calls for adequately funded mental-health services across communities and directs staff to distribute the resolution to townships, cities, department heads, the Michigan Legislature and federal lawmakers.
Commissioner Joel Keranen moved adoption and Commissioner Roy Britz supported the motion. The roll-call vote was recorded as Keranen, Britz, Tikkanen and Anderson YES; Janssen NO. Commissioner Janssen said she appreciated the mental-health funding language but recorded a dissent on the overall resolution.
The resolution also includes language stating that if the county sheriff and prosecuting attorney determine a law conflicts with the U.S. or Michigan constitutions, the board “supports the lawful exercise of discretion not to enforce an unconstitutional law against any law abiding person within Houghton County.” Several members of the public thanked the board for passage; others had earlier urged the board to leave constitutional questions to the courts or asked whether the county might face legal exposure by approving the resolution.
During the meeting public commenters expressed both support for and opposition to the resolution and raised procedural concerns, including whether the public had adequate notice of changes to the draft. After adopting the resolution the board directed staff to distribute copies as listed in the resolution.
Next steps: staff will distribute the signed resolution to the jurisdictions and officials enumerated in the resolution text and the board will follow up on related items (for example, inquiries about treatment-court funding and coordination with the Health Department).