Sidney City Council Passes Second Amendment Sanctuary Resolution

The Sidney City Council voted 5-2 Monday evening to designate this Shelby County city a Second Amendment sanctuary community, adding the western Ohio manufacturing town to a growing list of municipalities that have formally pledged not to use local resources to enforce federal gun-control measures they deem unconstitutional.

The resolution, introduced by Councilman Chuck Hodge, states that the City of Sidney "affirms its support for the individual right to keep and bear arms as enshrined in the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 4 of the Ohio Constitution." It further directs that no city funds, personnel, or facilities shall be used to assist in the enforcement of any federal law, executive order, or agency rule that infringes on the right of law-abiding citizens to possess firearms, ammunition, or accessories.

What the Resolution Does — and Doesn't Do

The measure stops short of nullifying federal law, a point Councilman Hodge emphasized during the public comment period. "This is not about defying the federal government," Hodge said. "It's about making a clear statement that Sidney stands with its law-abiding gun owners, and that our local police officers won't be conscripted into enforcing federal overreach that contradicts our state and constitutional rights."

Sidney Police Chief William Drummond expressed support for the resolution, noting that his department already prioritizes violent crime and has no intention of diverting resources to enforce federal firearms regulations. "We have limited officers and limited funding," Drummond said. "Our priority is protecting Sidney residents from actual threats, not processing paperwork for federal mandates."

Opponents, including Councilwoman Janet Smith, argued the resolution is largely symbolic and could create confusion about which laws apply. "I support the Second Amendment as much as anyone on this council," Smith said. "But I'm concerned this sends a message that we pick and choose which laws to follow, and that's not how our system works."

A Growing Movement Across Rural Ohio

Sidney is the latest in a string of Ohio communities to adopt Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions. Similar measures have passed in counties and municipalities across the state, particularly in rural and suburban areas where gun ownership rates are high and support for gun rights crosses party lines.

According to data from the Ohio Ceasefire chapter, at least 35 of Ohio's 88 counties have passed some form of Second Amendment sanctuary declaration since 2020, when federal gun-control proposals gained traction in Congress. The movement accelerated after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued new regulations on pistol braces and firearm parts.

Shelby County itself passed a county-level sanctuary resolution in 2021 by a unanimous commissioner vote. Monday's city council vote brings Sidney, the county seat with a population of approximately 20,000, in line with the county's position.

Community Response

The council chambers were standing-room-only for the vote, with more than 80 residents in attendance. Roughly a dozen speakers addressed the council during the public comment period, with supporters outnumbering opponents by approximately four to one.

Mike Thompson, a lifelong Sidney resident and retired machinist, told the council the resolution was about more than symbolism. "I've owned guns my whole life. My father taught me to shoot, and I taught my kids," Thompson said. "When the federal government talks about banning the things we legally own, we want our local leaders to stand up and say, 'Not here.'"

Not all residents supported the measure. Sarah Jenkins, a local teacher, urged the council to focus on more pressing issues. "We have potholes on Main Street and a opioid problem that's not going away," Jenkins said. "I don't think this resolution fixes either of those things."

What Happens Next

The resolution takes effect immediately. While it carries no criminal penalties for federal agents operating in Sidney, it formally establishes the city's position and directs city departments not to cooperate with federal gun-control enforcement efforts that conflict with state or constitutional protections.

Councilman Hodge said the council will review the resolution annually to ensure it remains aligned with state law and any relevant court rulings. "If the courts rule that a federal measure is constitutional, we'll respect that," Hodge said. "But until then, Sidney stands with the Second Amendment."