‘Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities’ Act Introduced By Tennessee Senator

“The Biden Administration Has Made It Clear They Do Not Intend To Adhere To Our Immigration Laws, So The Senate Must Work To Support Law Enforcement And Enhance Our National Security. The Legislation Will Protect Our Neighborhoods, Our Law Enforcement, And Our Families.” – Sen. Bill Hagerty

Image Credit: AP

Published February 3, 2021

Sanctuary Cities have become a little more well-known since the expansion of the program under Obama’s administration. 

Sanctuary Cities became places where laws were passed that allowed local law enforcement agencies and governments to decide whether or not they wanted to enforce federal immigration laws.

Not only is the act potentially protective, but Sanctuary laws in California, two other states and numerous cities actually prohibit local police and jailers from taking part in federal immigration enforcement. 

Biden made promises in his campaign that if he were elected president and allowed to carry out his plan, a version of California’s sanctuary law would be in effect nationwide.

In response, Senator Bill Hagerty is co-sponsoring legislation introduced by Pennsylvania Republican Senator Pat Toomey. 

The Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act would protect state and local officers from being sued for complying with federal laws.

The bill also targets cities that restrict information sharing with federal authorities, ideally making them ineligible for some grant funding.

Sen. Hagerty released a statement saying, “The Biden Administration has made it clear that they do not intend to adhere to our immigration laws, so the Senate must work to support law enforcement and enhance our national security. This legislation will protect our neighborhoods, our law enforcement, and our families.”

However, despite this controversy related to immigration, counties in several states have been putting their own spin on ‘Sanctuary Cities’ by passing laws creating Second Amendment Sanctuary Cities.

Now, these 2nd Amendment Sanctuary Cities -or counties to be more specific, are passing their own resolutions to combat state or city government laws deemed restrictive by locals to 2nd Amendment rights.

States where such counties are passing laws include Tennessee, New Mexico, Colorado, Illinois, Oregon, Washington, North Carolina, and Nevada.

The city of Soddy Daisy, Tennessee, is among a growing number of municipalities and counties across the nation to pass a resolution declaring itself a “Second Amendment sanctuary.”

“It’s a lengthy exposition of law and the right to bear arms,” said City Attorney Sam Elliott of the city’s resolution, which he drafted at the request of Vice Mayor Robert Cothran.

Examples of such legislation include requiring universal background checks, bans on assault weapons, and “red flag” laws authorizing temporary confiscation of firearms from people who have been deemed a danger to themselves or others.

On Jan. 22, 2020, “red flag” legislation was introduced by state Sen. Sara Kyle (Memphis).

By Jan. 27, 2020, the Tennessee Senate passed a “red flag” law, SB1807, that would allow a court to issue an emergency protection order if it is found that a person poses an imminent risk to themselves or others if allowed to possess or purchase a firearm. 

It is no surprise then that cities and counties statewide are passing resolutions that recognize their communities as Second Amendment sanctuaries in the face of new gun safety laws taking effect nationwide. 

How these changes and approaches to Sanctuary will intersect with the changes to gun laws we previously covered is uncertain as Tennessee continues to push toward less restrictive firearm laws. 

Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website for more information in up-to-date gun and/or immigration regulations in your county.