Support Democrats’ Right to Speak Freely and Make Damn Fools of Themselves
Comedy Always Evolves, and Colbert Almost Killed It
John Brennan Plays the 'Nazi Card' While FBI Turns Up the Heat
Remember the McCloskeys? The Government Finally Gave Back What it Stole From Them.
The VP Harris Post-Mortem on Stephen Colbert (Yes, Kamala, the System Worked)
Trump’s Tariff Triumph
The Biggest Losetit
It’s Time for Independence for Biafra Free From Nigerian Control
Democrats Are in Disastrous Shape As Midterms Loom
Has Pressure on Advertisers to Leave X Hurt the Right’s Only Major Free...
Understanding Transgender Surgery
Kash Patel Uncovers Burn Bags and Buried Truths, Deep State Scrambles to Hide...
Democrat Calls Lawbreakers 'Long-Term Residents' in Stunning Display of Border Amnesia
America First, Big Pharma Last: Trump Orders Drug Prices Slashed to Lowest Global...
California Homeowners Take Up Arms as Crime Surges Under Newsom, Bass
Tipsheet

Tucson Officials Vow to Defy Arizona’s ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary’ Law

AP Photo/Andrew Selsky, File

City officials in Tucson, Arizona are leading the charge against gun rights in the Grand Canyon State.

On June 22, Tucson Mayor Regina Romero (D) and the Democrat-controlled Tucson City Council unanimously passed a resolution vowing to enforce “federal laws, orders and acts that regulate firearms in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of the United States Constitution … regardless of whether those laws, orders or acts are more restrictive or prohibitive than regulations established under the laws of this state.”

Advertisement

The move comes as a direct response to Arizona’s House Bill 2111, which declares the state to be a “Second Amendment sanctuary” that would not enforce any potential unconstitutional gun grabs. Also known as the Second Amendment Firearm Freedom Act (SAFFA), the bill was signed into law in April by Gov. Doug Ducey (R), who called it “a proactive law for what is possible to come out of the Biden administration.”

The law also prohibits state authorities from enforcing any federal gun laws deemed inconsistent with gun laws already on the books in Arizona.

Last year, candidate Joe Biden campaigned on enacting federal background checks for all firearm purchases, as well as banning assault weapons. Though Biden has not yet signed any major gun legislation, his implication that “you need nuclear weapons to take on the government” is one reason why more than 1,200 state and local governments have declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries since 2018.

SAFFA looks poised to set up a classic “state v. local” court battle. Tucson Councilman Steve Kozachik (D), who sponsored the city’s June 22 resolution, believes that SAFFA is unconstitutional and welcomes any impending legal challenges from the state.

“I am hoping they see our resolution, which simply says that, in the city of Tucson, we are going to recognize federal gun laws. Let them challenge us,” Kozachik told The Arizona Daily Star.

Advertisement

The Tucson resolution also notes that the United States Supreme Court has consistently held that federal law overrides state law, and that any action undertaken by the Biden administration on guns would tip the scales in the city’s favor. However, Arizona Republicans hope that any national challenge would raise greater questions about Biden’s authority under the Second Amendment.

Tucson, a blue dot in a desert of red, has long been at odds with the state of Arizona over gun rights. The city mandates special background checks for all guns purchased within its limits. And until an Arizona Supreme Court ruling struck it down in 2017, Tucson destroyed all firearms either confiscated by police or turned in by citizens.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement