RESOLUTION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF VERNON, COUNTY OF SUSSEX AND STATE OF NEW JERSEY DECLARING THE TOWNSHIP OF VERNON A 2ND AMENDMENT/LAWFUL GUN OWNER SANCTUARY TOWNSHIP AS DEFINED HEREIN

WHEREAS, the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution guarantees the Right to Keep and Bear Arms, an individual right affirmed by the US Supreme Court; and

WHEREAS, the Declaration of Independence refers to all being endowed by their Creator with the unalienable right to Life, self-defense is an "original right" referred to by Alexander Hamilton in Federalist 28, and self-defense is recognized as a national and international right; and

WHEREAS, Americans lawfully use firearms hundreds of thousands of times each year, protecting themselves and loved ones from violent criminals; and

WHEREAS, there are an estimated 12 million Americans who lawfully carry concealed firearms; and

WHEREAS, lawfully armed civilians have stopped active shooters and saved law enforcement officers who were under attack; and

WHEREAS, firearms are lawfully used for hunting and sport, on a daily basis, across the country; and

WHEREAS, unbiased research has shown that concealed carry of firearms reduces violent crime, and those benefiting most from firearms in self-defense are women, the elderly and the disabled; and

WHEREAS, abridging the rights of lawful gun owners does not reduce the criminal use of firearms by violent offenders; and

WHEREAS, the Federal and State governments have, for many years, had numerous laws, statutes, and regulations relating to firearms ownership, purchase, transportation, transfer, carry and use; and

WHEREAS, violations of existing laws, statutes and regulations are already criminal offenses, many being felonies; and

WHEREAS, gun control laws, including a plethora of current proposed legislation, are not evidence-based; and

WHEREAS, legislation called "gun safety" legislation or "Red Flag Laws", factually have nothing to do with teaching or promoting the safe and lawful use of firearms.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Mayor and Council of the Township of VERNON, County of SUSSEX, State of New Jersey, as follows:

The VERNON Township Town Council declares VERNON Township to be a 2nd Amendment/ Lawful Gun Owner Sanctuary Township as defined herein:

a.                  The VERNON Township supports the rights of lawful gun owners to lawfully use firearms; to defend themselves, their loved ones and other innocents; to lawfully hunt to provide sustenance for their families; and to lawfully participate in shooting sports up to and including Olympic sports.

b.                  The VERNON Township opposes further interference with, or abridging of, the rights of lawful gun owners_

c.                  The VERNON Township opposes gun control, "gun safety" legislation, or "red flag laws", State, Federal, or local.

a.                  The VERNON Township espouses holding accountable the violent criminal offenders, rather than irrational and/or disproven attempts to control lawful tools of self-defense, hunting and sport.