Loychik to Introduce the 'Second Amendment Sanctuary State Act'

State Rep. Mike Loychik (R-Bazetta) announces that he will soon introduce legislation that will make Ohio a second amendment sanctuary state, otherwise known as the “Second Amendment Sanctuary State Act.” Loychik’s plan is to have the bill formally introduced later next week.

“Members of the Ohio General Assembly and U.S. Congress have a duty to uphold the rights of citizens across this country, this includes the freedoms granted to us under the second amendment of our Constitution,” said Loychik. “This bill ensures prioritizing the protection of law-abiding Ohioans’ right to keep and bear arms.”

Loychik’s legislation affirms the power of state rights over the federal government under the tenth amendment of the U.S. Constitution, especially in defense of the rights and liberties protected under it. Additionally, the bill supports the notion that the general assembly of Ohio strongly promote responsible gun ownership, use, enforcement, prompt reporting, storage, and condemnation of unlawful activity of firearms.

Simultaneously, the legislation considers the following federal acts, laws, or executive orders to be considered infringements on Ohioans’ right to keep and bear arms under the second amendment:

·         Any tax, levy, fee, or stamp imposed on firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition not common to all other goods and services and that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;

·         Any registering or tracking of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;

·         Any registering or tracking of the owners of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition that might reasonably be expected to create a chilling effect on the purchase or ownership of those items by law-abiding citizens;

·         Any act forbidding the possession, ownership, or use or transfer of a firearm, firearm accessory, or ammunition by law-abiding citizens; and

·         Any act ordering the confiscation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition from law-abiding citizens.

With being recognized as a second amendment sanctuary state, federal laws or authority enforcement that attempts to infringe on second amendment rights will be considered invalid. The bill also confirms it is the duty of the courts and law enforcement agencies to protect second amendment rights of law-abiding citizens of the state.

Currently, four states are considered “second amendment sanctuary protected” with hundreds of other counties across the nation enacting certain laws with similar protections.

“Especially with the current climate and rhetoric at the federal level, the preservation of our second amendment is now more crucial than ever before and it is my intent to protect this right for the people of Trumbull County and throughout the state of Ohio,” Loychik added.