WHEREAS, the Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of our nation; and
WHEREAS, the Second Amendment to the Constitution states, “A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has affirmed that the right of an individual to “keep and bear arms,” as protected under the Second Amendment, is incorporated by the Due Process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment against the states; and
WHEREAS, the United States Supreme Court has affirmed in the District of Columbia vs. Heller 554 U.S. 570 (2008) an individual’s right to possess firearms, unconnected with service in a militia, for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home; and
WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court in United States vs. Miller (1939) and District of Columbia vs. Heller (2008) stated that firearms that are part of ordinary military equipment with use that could contribute to the common defense are protected by the Second Amendment; and
WHEREAS, the Holton Township Board are concerned about the passages of any bill containing language which could be interpreted as infringing the rights of the citizens of Holton Township to keep and bear arms; and
WHEREAS, the Holton Township Board declares and confirms its support of the Second Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and Article 1, section 6 of the Michigan Constitution; and
WHEREAS, the Holton Township Board declares and confirms express opposition to any law that would unconstitutionally restrict the rights of the citizens of Holton Township to keep and bear arms; and
WHEREAS, the Holton Township Board took an oath to support and defend the United States and Michigan Constitutions; and
WHEREAS, the Holton Township Board declares and confirms to express its intent to stand as a Sanctuary Township for Second Amendment rights, and to oppose, within the limits of the Constitution of the United States and the Commonwealth of Michigan, any efforts to unconstitutionally restrict such rights.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED THAT, the people of Holton Township, through their duly elected members of the Holton Township Board, hereby designate Holton Township as a Second Amendment Sanctuary in order to preserve for the people of, on and in Holton Township, the inalienable rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America; furthermore
That the Holton Township Board hereby expresses their intent to uphold the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Holton Township, Michigan; furthermore
That the Holton Township Board hereby declares its intent to oppose any infringement on the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.
We, the people of Holton Township, Michigan through this resolution, hereby declare our inalienable rights, our freedom and our Liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America.
“AYES”: Supervisor Alan Jager, Trustee Tammy Jager, Trustee Chris Thompsen, and Clerk Malinda Pego. Absent: Treasurer William Halbower
RESOLUTION DELCARED ADOPTED. _______________________________Malinda Pego,
Holton Township Clerk I hereby certify that the foregoing constitutes a true and complete copy of a resolution adopted by the township board of Holton Township, Muskegon County, Michigan, at a regular meeting held on November 14, 2023.
HOLTON TOWNSHIP MILITIA PUBLIC SECURITY ACT
(Addendum to the Resolution Declaring Holton Township Michigan a Second Amendment Sanctuary)
Township of Holton, County of Muskegon, State of Michigan hereby resolves to adopt policies necessary for the security and rights of Holton Township residents.
1.0 All legal residents with primary residency within the Township of Holton have the opportunity to be a member of the Holton Township Militia by stating on open media or to friends and or family or by letter stating their desire to be a member of the Holton Township Militia unless otherwise noted below:
1.1 Any resident under the age of 18
1.2 Any resident that cannot pass a Federal firearms background check
1.3 Any resident whom doesn't desire to be in the Holton Township Militia
2.0 From this date forward, thereafter, all items listed below are protected from any Federal, Executive, County, or State regulations for the protection of Holton Township residents.
2.1 All firearms in which the stock hits the shoulder that are legal by federal law as of 3/27/2021. This includes all semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.
2.2 All pistols or handguns that are legal by Federal law as of 3/27/2021. This includes all semi-automatic handguns or pistols.
2.3 All ammunition that is legal under Federal law as of 3/27/2021. This includes any current Caliber. This includes any ammunition and quantity of ammunition that is intended for self- defense and or hunting. This also protects the rights for the people to reload their own ammunition.
2.4 All accessories that are legal by Federal law as of 3/27/2021. This includes stocks, grips, optics, magazines, clips, and suppressors.
2.5 Any body armor that is legal under Federal law as of 3/27/2021.
3.0 Holton Township will not acknowledge any new laws that are 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 regulation that prohibits open carry or concealed carry.
4.0 This policy does not give any member the right to take violence into their own hands or act "above the law" in any way. This shall be recorded as the Addendum to the Resolution Declaring Holton Township Michigan a Second Amendment Sanctuary to stop any infringement of our Second Amendment rights as defined in the Bill of Rights, in the United States Constitution as adopted by the Holton Township Board on this 14th day of November 2023.
