Second Amendment 'sanctuary city'? Washington police chief pushes back against anti-2A regulations

Voters in Washington state recently approved increased, statewide regulations on the Second Amendment. But one local police chief says he has no plans to enforce them, claiming they infringe on the Second Amendment.

According to KXLY-TV, the new regulations, which were approved by nearly 60 percent of Washington state voters, are some of the most strict firearm regulations in the country. KXLY explains:

Initiative 1639...raises the age limit for some gun purchases; it has a safe storage provision that can lead to criminal charges if gun owners allow someone not authorized to access a gun displays it or uses it to commit a crime; and puts an enhanced background check and waiting period in place for people who want to buy a semi-automatic rifle.

What did the police chief do?

Loren Culp, the police chief of Republic, a small town in northeastern Washington, took to Facebook last week to inform his citizens he will not enforce Initiative 1639, which the voters of Republic overwhelmingly rejected.

"I’ve taken 3 public oaths, one in the US Army and Two as a police officer. All of them included upholding and defending the Constitution of the United States of America," Culp wrote. "The second amendment says the right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

"As long as I am Chief of Police, no Republic Police Officer will infringe on a citizens right to keep and Bear Arms, PERIOD!" he declared.

According to KXLY, 73 percent of voters in Republic voted against Initiative 1639.

In an interview with KXLY, Culp said he believes Initiative 1639 "completely flies in the face of both the U.S. and state constitution."

What does Culp plan to do?

In an effort to rebut the new alleged anti-Second Amendment regulations, Culp wrote on Facebook that he has proposed a city ordinance to safeguard firearm rights protected by both the U.S. Constitution and the Washington State Constitution.

Culp proposed the ordinance be cited as the "2nd Amendment Sanctuary City Ordinance."

Read the full proposed ordinance below:

The city clerk for Republic told KXLY the ordinance will be presented to the city council next week, however it's not clear what action, if any, they will take. Meanwhile, Culp said he does not need immediate approval to enforce his proposed policy.