Sixty-two members of the South Dakota legislature have added their names to a measure asserting that the Second Amendment effectively denies “any and all federal initiatives directed at the restriction of gun ownership and the right of self defense,” the Argus Leader (Sioux Falls, S.D.) reported Monday.
“We look askance at all federal legislation and executive orders that contrive to evade or elude the sacred, hallowed, and clear intent and purpose of the Second Amendment which specifically and definitively prohibits all infringement of this fundamental right by federal insinuation,” the measure, Senate Bill 207, reads.
The bill also directs the state attorney general “to be vigilant and proactive” in protecting the Second Amendment rights of South Dakotans — even explicitly leaving the door open for litigation — “from whatever source and by whatever means.”
Lawmakers in South Dakota earlier this month took up legislation that would authorize local school districts to arm personnel under what the bill described as “school sentinel programs.” That bill was passed by the state House Education Committee last week.
