Hunter
07/24/20
The Johnson County Board of Supervisors reluctantly passed a resolution Thursday that will allow firearms in most county buildings.
The Gazette quotes Board Chair Rod Sullivan, who said “The Legislature did this to us.”
During the state’s 2020 legislative session, they wrote an “airtight” resolution that prevents cities and counties from regulating the legal possession of firearms or other weapons on their properties. A weapons ban can remain if the building has a secured entrance and armed security.
A challenge to the law was initiated by supervisors Janelle Rettig and Royceann Porter, but the board eventually voted 4 to 1 to adopt the state’s mandate. Porter, who the Gazette reports has been the subject of harassment in the past, says she knows people will take advantage of the new ruling and will come forward to try to intimidate her. “Right now,” she said, “I’m very pissed off.”
Rettig, the lone vote against the resolution, questioned how the board could support a mask mandate but allow firearms in public buildings.