FORT SMITH -- The Sebastian County Quorum Court voted against a motion to approve a "Bill of Rights sanctuary" ordinance for the county during its meeting on Tuesday.
Nine members voted against the ordinance. Four voted for it.
This comes after the Quorum Court voted May 26 to delay a review of a "Bill of Rights sanctuary" ordinance adopted by neighboring Scott County until Tuesday's meeting. The ordinance on which justices of the peace voted was the same ordinance as Scott County's, but with Sebastian County in the language.
Scott County became the first Arkansas county to approve a "Bill of Rights Ordinance" on Jan. 21, with the county declaring it wouldn't enforce any laws it deems unconstitutional, including laws restricting guns.
This is part of a "Second Amendment sanctuary" trend that took root in some states and particularly in Virginia, where more than 100 cities and counties have adopted some sort of Second Amendment sanctuary resolution. It is in response to "sanctuary cities," where local police limit how much they enforce federal immigration laws.