Holton Township in Muskegon County has taken a bold stance in defense of the Second Amendment by declaring itself a “Second Amendment sanctuary,” going beyond the efforts of over 50 Michigan communities and counties that have embraced similar resolutions.
Home to around 2,500 residents, the township not only passed a resolution asserting its status as a Second Amendment sanctuary but also made a significant move to establish a militia, refusing to comply with any firearm restriction laws enacted before 2021.
This decision, which coincided with Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s approval of legislation restricting firearm ownership for individuals convicted of domestic violence misdemeanors, reflects the community’s deep-seated concerns about the erosion of their constitutional rights. Particularly troubling to residents was Michigan’s recent adoption of a “red flag law,” enabling judges to confiscate weapons from those deemed a threat to themselves or others.
Holton Township Supervisor Alan Jager underscored the need for individuals to have a fair chance to defend themselves, stating, “You just can’t come in and take our weapons away without giving us a fighting chance to stand up for ourselves because we may not be guilty of anything.”
While a similar resolution failed last year, the newly unanimously approved resolution not only declares the township’s Second Amendment sanctuary status but also establishes a militia open to residents aged 18 and older who primarily live in Holton Township.
In explicit terms, the resolution asserts, “Holton Township will not recognize any new laws associated with red flag laws or any other infringement of the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution. Holton Township will not acknowledge any new regulations prohibiting open or concealed carry.”
Michigan, having become the 21st state to adopt a red flag law in May (effective from Feb. 13), has witnessed at least 53 of its predominantly rural counties passing resolutions to declare themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries.
These declarations, while nonbinding, signify a collective stand for the constitutional right to bear arms and the formation of militias, reinforcing the belief that local communities should have a say in protecting these fundamental rights. Critics argue that such resolutions amount to political posturing, but proponents stress the importance of upholding these constitutional rights in the face of evolving legislation.
Similar movements have surfaced in other states like Illinois and Indiana, with numerous counties declaring themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries. Advocates emphasize that, irrespective of these declarations, law enforcement officials understand the essential duty to uphold and enforce the existing constitutional rights.
