Ellis County declared a Second Amendment sanctuary county

WAXAHACHIE, TX – The Ellis County Commissioners’ Court responded to attacks on citizens’ gun rights with an affirming resolution upholding the Second Amendment. Article 1, Section 23, protects citizens’ “inalienable and individual right to keep and bear arms.”

In July of 2019, the commissioners’ court decided to remove a lockdown of the historic Waxahachie courthouse doors, which had prohibited license to carry (LTC) holders from carrying within the building. The reopening of the courthouse included unrestricted access to any of the four main entrances while allowing LTC holders the right to carry once again while on premise (excluding the two utilized court rooms). The commissioners’ court found that it was unconstitutional to restrict citizens’ from practicing their Second Amendment rights.

On Nov. 5, the commissioners’ court voted unanimously 4-0 in favor of a resolution designating Ellis County a Second Amendment “Sanctuary County.”

An excerpt from the resolution states: “This commissioners court will not authorize or appropriate government funds, resources, employees, agencies, contractors, buildings, detention centers or offices for the purpose of enforcing law that unconstitutionally infringes on the right of the people to keep and bear arms.”

Twelve Ellis County residents participated in the commissioners’ court session urging the court to approve of the resolution.

“Our gun rights are being taken away daily,’’ said local resident Kathy Ponce, “The second amendment shall not be infringed upon.”

Ellis County Judge Todd Little reflected upon the decision stating, “I pledged to the Ellis County citizens to always fight for their Second Amendment rights, and today was about the people, and the commitment to defend their freedoms.”

Commissioner Paul Perry added on by expressing “the importance of government officials to make it clear that they stand by the Constitution.”

Ellis County now joins the growing list of Texas sanctuary counties including Edwards, Hudspeth, Presidio, Mitchell, Hood, Smith and Parker County.