SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioner Stephen Bridy is seeking to have the county pass a resolution supporting the right to bear arms.
With gun rights coming under fire, Bridy believes it's imperative for Northumberland County to support the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
He wants the board of commissioners to pass the following resolution:
"Any federal act, bill, law, rule or executive order that in any way infringes upon our Second Amendment rights by attempting to reduce the private ownership of any firearm, magazine or ammunition shall be unenforceable in Northumberland County."
Susquehanna County and communities throughout the state, including Gilberton in Schuylkill County, have passed similar resolutions. On Feb. 25, Sunbury passed a broader resolution without mentioning the Second Amendment that states they are concerned with the "overreach of the federal government" and are requesting U.S. Sen. Lou Barletta (R-11) to introduce, support and secure legislation that will guarantee all citizens the unalienable rights guaranteed to citizens under the Constitution.
"I think it's important to take a stand on this," Bridy said.
Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Richard Shoch recommended the issue be tabled for further research by solicitor Frank Garrigan, who said he didn't know if such a resolution would be enforceable.
All three commissioners agreed to table the matter until a future meeting.
In a related matter, the board unanimously agreed to send letters to officials at Beretta Arms in Accokeek, Md., Magpul Industries in Boulder, Colo., and Remington Arms, Ilion, N.Y., inviting the gun and ammunition manufacturers to visit the county. Bridy said the firms oppose legislation in their states that infringe upon the right to bear arms and are considering relocating their businesses.
Bridy reported that Special Agent Joseph Clarke of the Office of the Inspector General with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is reviewing data involving the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) and HOMES Program and will evaluate the next possible course of action.
Bridy said Clarke's office is not in a position to provide an update on the investigation.
He said Clarke thanked him for bringing the matter to the attention of the Office of the Inspector General.
Bridy reported his concerns with the programs to HUD in November.
Earlier this month, Northumberland County received notification of a monthlong extension to provide additional information to address the payback of state grant money for the HPRP.
HPRP was authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), and the funding was dispersed to state and local governments to keep individuals in their homes or to help individuals and families who were already homeless find affordable housing. The county received $365,361 from DCED to implement the program, and it must provide documentation to support the use of $215,150.66 to clients deemed ineligible by DCED.
The board agreed to seek proposals to "blanket" the county prison with hardened cameras capable of infrared and color photography.
The commissioners also unanimously approved a motion by Clausi to repair or replace torn and lumpy carpeting throughout the county administration building at a cost not to exceed $2,500.