FARMINGTON—Davis County Sheriff Kelly V. Sparks and Davis County Attorney Troy Rawlings came before the Davis County Commissioners Tuesday to ask for their support of a Second Amendment policy that reiterates the responsibilities of law enforcement officials and that addresses the concerns and requests made by community members.

“I think it’s altogether fitting that we are discussing this the day after Memorial Day where we honor those who fought to defend our Constitution and our way of life,” said Sparks. “We feel deeply the awesome responsibility we have to provide the health and safety and welfare of our citizens and also to protect their Constitutional rights. We are here today to ask you to join with us and with the voice of County Attorney Troy Rawlings in support of a specific Sheriff’s Office policy which is designed to provide a strong defense against governmental infringement on our citizens’ Constitutional rights including the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.”

This is a time when the country is faced with senseless, violent acts, he said. “We work hard every day to prevent violence and prepare to respond should it occur. We also live in a time where there are growing concerns by many over the possible infringement of individual Constitutional rights. We want the citizens of Davis County to know we resolve to defend the Constitution, protect their rights and still promote safety and welfare.”

Sparks gave some highlights of the policy: 

• Requires all Sheriff’s Office personnel to protect all Individual Rights enumerated in the Constitution and detailed in the Bill of Rights.

• Recognizes the fundamental right to keep and bear arms and states it shall not be infringed.

• Reduces violence through enforcement of clearly established, narrowly tailored, laws that do not infringe on individual rights of law-abiding citizens.

• Prohibits County Law Enforcement Officers from enforcing unconstitutional federal laws or presidential executive orders.

• Prohibits the use of any County resources in enforcing presidential executive orders or other federal decrees that are unconstitutional.

• Prohibits County Law Enforcement Officers from assisting or cooperating with federal or state agencies in the enforcement of a presidential order or federal enforcement agency policy that infringes on the right to keep and bear arms.

“The Davis County Attorney’s Office unequivocally supports the Sheriff’s policy,” said Rawlings. “The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution helps to secure the viability, veracity and longevity of all other constitutional amendments and rights. This policy reaches the right balance for securing public safety and constitutional rights.”

Commissioner Randy Elliott voiced his support of the policy. “We do support the right to bear arms,” he said. “Being a gun owner myself I’m very proud of my guns. I learned on a farm and a ranch how to shoot and proper safety and I’m teaching my 12-year-old how to go through hunter safety right now. Some people say we don’t need firearms anymore. Our government will take care of us. I stand to say I’m not one of those. I think the citizens need to have the right to bear arms and be able to have those arms just in case.”

“The Sheriff’s thoughtful, intentional, collaborative and legally actionable approach to addressing this community concern is commendable,” Commissioner Lorene Kamalu said. “We hope this policy will be reassuring to our citizens and a reminder that all of their elected officials are committed to defending the Constitution.”

The policy took effect June 1.