Missed the Rock County board meeting

Last Thursday, the Rock County board met and voted on banning guns from county buildings. I missed the meeting because of work I needed to do.

The board voted to enact the ban:

12.E. A Resolution Banning the Carrying of Firearms and Concealed Weapons in County Buildings and Vehicles. Resolution No. 11-10A-481

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Rock County Board of Supervisors duly assembled this 13th day of October, 2011 that pursuant to Section 943.13(1m)(c)(4), the County of Rock hereby prohibits the carrying of firearms and concealed weapons of any type in any building owned, occupied or controlled by Rock County, by any person other than an authorized law enforcement officer; except the buildings located at 3728 South Oakhill Avenue, and 2713 Eagle Road, Janesville, Wisconsin, when those buildings are utilized as private residences; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the display or exhibition of firearms and the placing of firearms in connection with a duly authorized gun show at the Rock County 4H Fairgrounds or their removal there from shall not constitute the open carrying of firearms within the meaning of this resolution;
and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all future leases of Rock County owned buildings or parts thereof shall require that, as a condition of such lease, the lessee shall, in a manner consistent with this resolution and state law, prohibit the carrying of firearms and concealed weapons, except for authorized law enforcement officers. This resolution shall not apply to any buildings owned by Rock County comprising the UW-Rock County campus; and, 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the carrying of firearms and concealed weapons in any building or part thereof leased by Rock County is hereby prohibited, except for authorized law enforcement officers; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Rock County General Services Department shall place signs in proper number and in conformity with Section 943.13(2)(bm) no later than November 1, 2011.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, pursuant to Section 175.60 (15m)(a), the carrying of concealed weapons by any Rock County employee during the course of employment, except by authorized law enforcement officers, is hereby prohibited, except as provided by Section 175.60(15m)(b); and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the carrying, possessing or storing of any weapon in County owned vehicles is prohibited except as follows:
a) This resolution shall not apply to authorized law enforcement officers.
b) This resolution shall not apply to vehicles operated by the Rock County Sheriff’s Office
under such regulations as the Rock County Sheriff shall deem appropriate; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that an employee who violates this Resolution shall be subject to discipline up to and including discharge.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Human Resources Director shall take such steps as to provide reasonable notice of this action to all employees no later than November 1, 2011.

Supervisors Collins and Thomas moved the above resolution ADOPTED on the following
roll call vote. Supervisors Peer, Arnold, Innis, Beaver, Yankee, Bussie, Combs, Thomas,
Knudson, Kraft, Fell, Fizzell, Brill, Wiedenfeld, Jensen, Wopat, Bostwick, Sweeney, Collins and Podzilni voted in favor. Supervisors Diestler, Mawhinney, Yoss, Owens and Gustina voted in Opposition. Supervisors Heidenreich, Fox, Johnson and Thompson were absent. AYES – 20. NOES – 5. ABSENT – 4.

Link to the minutes: http://www.co.rock.wi.us/images/web_documents/countyboard/board_of_supervisors/agendas_minutes/2011/CB_MIN_10132011.pdf. No mention of how many people were in the audience, or if any citizen's objections were raised.

It's not clear to me if a "resolution" is the same as an ordinance or law.

So, Rock County believes they are above the Constitution. Keep an eye on those names for the next election. I will.

Update: Sent this to the Beloit Daily News:

I had intended to go to the Rock County Board meeting last Thursday, but could not make it. They had planned on voting on banning guns in almost all county buildings.

Well, they voted to enact this "resolution", 20 to 5. There were no cogent reasons given for this ban, simply what they were banning - namely, private law-abiding citizens and county employees now cannot open or concealed carry their legal firearm in these places - they must disarm and store the gun in their vehicle, inviting theft, and proceed defenseless into the county structure in question.

The Town of Beloit board considered such a ban, and after comments from concerned citizens, the ordinance was dropped. The board saw that such a ban only affects the law-abiding, and sets up "free-fire" zones for potential tragedies such as we have seen in several "gun-free" universities in the recent past.

Is Rock County now going to install metal detectors and hire TSA gropers for every public entrance on every building they own? If they don't, this new rule will be toothless.

Does a Rock County "resolution" have the power of law in any case?