Hancock County declared Second Amendment sanctuary

NEW CUMBERLAND -- Hancock County has been declared as a Second Amendment Sanctuary County following action by the county commission.

The commission, during its regular meeting Thursday, unanimously approved a resolution affirming the designation to the county.

Officials explained the resolution is a way for the county to show its support of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which reads, "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed," no matter what other laws may be passed at the state or federal levels of government.

Commission President Paul Cowey said commissioners have reached out to local law enforcement, including the Hancock County Sheriff's Department and the police departments in Weirton, Chester and New Cumberland.

"They were all in agreement with us," Cowey said.

The resolution also cites various federal case law, as well as Article III, Sections 1, 2 and 22 of the West Virginia Constitution.

Michelle Slates of Homeland Firearms in Weirton, was invited by Commissioner Eron Chek to speak on the importance of the resolution.

"There's a lot of panic out there, and what you're doing is bringing peace," she said.

Cowey noted such declarations began in West Virginia in 2020, with approximately 33 of the 55 counties passing similar resolutions.

(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)