(Atlantic, Iowa) – When the Cass County Board of Supervisors meet 9-a.m. Tuesday, April 19th, one of the topics up for discussion and/or possible action, is a proposal/request to have Cass County becoming a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary County. Supervisor’s Board Chair Steve Baier tells KJAN News the issue was brought up during the County Republican Forum held April 4th. Baier says “It was suggested at that time that they get language being used in other counties across the State. Phil Hetrick got the information, and [Supervisor] Mark O’Brien is managing” [the matter].

The Iowa Firearms Coalition says Iowa adopted “shall issue” Permits to Carry Weapons in 2010 and became a “constitutional carry” state in 2021, but is one of only six states that do not recognize Second Amendment rights in their constitutions. More than a dozen southwest Iowa county Boards of Supervisors have chosen to make their county’s a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary. A total of 36 out of 99 Iowa counties have made the same decision. Those that haven’t include Cass, Adair, Harrison, Shelby and Audubon Counties.

Iowa 2nd Amendment Sanctuary Counties (as of 4/15/22)

If approved, a Second Amendment sanctuary, also known as a gun sanctuary, would prohibit or impede the enforcement of certain gun control measures perceived as a violation of the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms – including universal gun background checks.

The movement for second amendment sanctuaries spread in 2018 following multiple high profile mass shootings, which advocates then called for more rigorous gun control laws.

Across the country, more than a thousand local governments have declared themselves second amendment sanctuaries, meaning they have no intent of following federal gun control measures. However, many critics agree second amendment sanctuaries will not hold up in court.

In other business, the Cass County Supervisors will discuss and/or act on: ARPA funding for daycare facilities; a Resolution for approval of the Cass County 5-year Construction Program, and a Resolution of ARPA disbursements.

They’ll receive a report from Cass County Engineer Trent Wolken with regard to Secondary Roads Department Activities, and other reports. The Cass County Supervisor’s meeting takes place in the Boardroom on the main floor of the Courthouse, in Atlantic.