Stephens becomes gun sanctuary county

Stephens County last week became a Second Amendment Sanctuary County.
County commissioners unanimously adopted a resolution during a county retreat session at the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport.
Stephens County's sanctuary status follows a similar resolution that was recently passed in Habersham County.
The resolution means that no one affiliated with the Stephens County government will enforce "any acts, laws, orders, mandates, rules or regulations that infringe on the right by the people to keep and bear arms."
Commission chairman Dennis Bell said that the resolution was sparked in part by events occurring in the past few weeks in Virginia.
According to published reports, Virginia legislators are moving to impose laws that would require background checks on all firearm sales, restrict the purchase of handguns to one a month, and allow local governments the right to ban weapons from public buildings.
A crowd estimated at more than 20,000 people protested stricter gun legislation during a Jan. 20 rally in Richmond, Va.
"Based on things I've heard over the years from the far left, and now you've got the governor of Virginia acting on it, I really do think (this resolution) is needed," Bell said.
Bell said he anticipates similar resolutions will be adopted in more northeast Georgia counties.
"I stand firm on this," Bell said.
Commissioner Dean Scarborough clarified the resolution makes no changes in any rights currently granted county gun owners.
"This is just upholding the right of the second amendment," Scarborough said.