By Justin Strawser
SUNBURY - Northumberland County Commissioner Stephen Bridy had support from several members of the public Tuesday in his latest effort to have the county pass a resolution in support of the right to bear arms.
Once again, however, he didn't have the support of his fellow commissioners.
Bridy said the commissioners, as public officials, have taken an oath of office to support the U.S. Constitution and the state Constitution, and he made a motion to challenge any infringements on the Second Amendment.
Specifically, it would "challenge any federal act, bill, law, rule or executive order that attempts to prevent or curtail law-abiding citizens of Northumberland County from purchasing any currently legally available firearm, ammunition or magazine, and give permission to the county to join any amicus brief or other legal action to challenge the constitutionality" of any such action.
Bridy's motion died for lack of a second, but three individuals from People Against the NDAA (PANDA) Pennsylvania criticized Commissioners Vinny Clausi and Richard Shoch for not supporting Bridy. NDAA is the National Defense Authorization Act.
Sunbury Constable Ed Quiggle, state team leader for PANDA PA and leader for the Sunbury chapter, thanked Bridy and urged the other two commissioners to reconsider their lack of action.
"We need to do something to protect the citizens of Northumberland County," he said.
John Burd, a PANDA member from Coal Township, and Roger Bordzinski, a member from Sunbury, reiterated Quiggle's plea.
Clausi said he was not comfortable passing a resolution as the one Bridy suggested without researching it further, and Shoch said he asked for more information at the last meeting and hasn't gotten any.
Later, Shoch said he wasn't convinced if it would be proper to use county money to challenge the federal government and use Northumberland County as a "battleground" against potential overreach.
Bridy said the county wouldn't have to spend additional money since Assistant Solicitor John Muncer is well versed in Constitutional law.
Bridy tried earlier this month to pass a similar resolution that stated "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."
The issue was tabled last month for further research by solicitor Frank Garrigan, who said at the time he didn't know if such a resolution would be enforceable.
Susquehanna County and communities throughout the state, including Gilberton in Schuylkill County, have passed similar resolutions. Quiggle was instrumental in convincing Sunbury City Council in February to pass a broader resolution without mentioning the Second Amendment that states the council is concerned with the "overreach of the federal government." The council is requesting U.S. Sen. Lou Barletta (R-11) introduce, support and secure legislation that will guarantee all citizens the unalienable rights guaranteed to citizens under the Constitution.