Holton Township in Michigan has declared itself a “Second Amendment Sanctuary City.” Earlier in November, the Holton Township trustees passed the resolution, forming the voluntary “Holton Township Militia.”
Township Supervisor Alan Jager said the resolution passed in response to red flag laws signed into law by Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) earlier in 2023.
Those red flag laws allow medical professionals, law enforcement agencies or family members who may be concerned about someone harming themselves or others to seek a court order to “temporarily confiscate their firearms.”
When Whitmer signed the bills into law, she said red flag laws have been proven to save lives.
Jager said the Holton Township resolution will ensure citizens will have due process before their firearms are taken away.
“Due process is necessary for all of us to have a right to defend ourselves before you take our guns away,” Jager said in an interview with Fox 17 News.
Jager said the resolution will help citizens, who are a part of the militia, to explain their case in court if someone seeks out a court order against them, seeking to take away their guns.
Several militia groups have formed in Michigan. The Michigan Militia dates back to 1994. The group was discovered in 1995 after Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols attended earlier meetings and carried out the Oklahoma City bombings, which killed 168 people. The Michigan Militia resurfaced again in 2008 before President Barrack Obama took office.
Then in October 2020, federal authorities announced indictments against 13 people – most of which were a part of the militia “Wolverine Watchmen” – who were charged in connection to plotting the kidnapping and killing of Gov. Whitmer.
“A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed,” the Second Amendment states. Still, courts have ruled that firearms can be regulated, including when and how they can be carried.
Jager said the Holton Township resolution is more symbolic, and he said he does not want citizens running around town with guns. Citizens will have a right to join the voluntary militia on paper, and they will be required to pass a federal background check.
