Sheriff Kyle Dukes addresses the county commissioners Tuesday, April 27, pledging to support gun rights. Also pictured in the background from left, County Attorney Ed Ormsby, Commissioner Brad Jackson and Commissioner President Bob Conley. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes received a hearty round of applause following his endorsement of a proclamation and ordinance supporting the Second Amendment.

This followed a reading of the Second Amendment Freedom Policy and Ordinance by County Attorney Ed Ormsby at the Kosciusko County Commissioners’ meeting Tuesday, April 27.

The ordinance states that the county shall not comply with, assist or use any personnel or financial resources to enforce, administer or cooperate with any law that violates the Second Amendment or Article 1, Section 32.

The county further supports and advocates that Indiana become a Second Amendment Sanctuary State and directed Ormsby to prepare a letter to state representatives and senators in support and advocacy of such. 

“We have taken a stand as commissioners and as representatives of the people of this county,” said Commissioner President Bob Conley. “We fully understand that there may be repercussions…that’s okay. We’ve addressed those in the ordinance.”

After the ordinance was unanimously approved, Dukes read the proclamation aloud to those in attendance. 

The proclamation states that the sheriff does hereby declare his support in favor of the Second Amendment Freedom Policy and Ordinance and does hereby adopt the policy stated in the ordinance as his own and that of the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office.

Dukes made his feelings on the subject categorically clear. 

“I’m a Second Amendment sheriff. I took the oath of office. I take that very seriously. I want to be very clear on a couple of things. The KCSO will not support or assist on any kind of gun buyback programs. KCSO will not be knocking on your door and taking your guns….will not,” Dukes said. “In my opinion, the federal government needs to come together at the same table and let’s start having serious conversations about mental health like we are here in Kosciusko County.”

Dukes said he receives positive messages each week “from great people.”

“It’s truly an honor to be the sheriff of Kosciusko County,” Dukes said. “Something I believe in 100 percent is that I work for you, and I want to thank you for supporting law enforcement in Kosciusko County.”

Talk of passing a Second Amendment ordinance began last month after President Joe Biden announced a handful of executive orders related to gun control.

Biden is not mentioned by name in the ordinance, but it does outline specifically that any law that eliminates, reduces, represses, diminishes or subverts the rights of citizens and passed after Jan. 1 of this year would be considered a violation of the Second Amendment.

Biden wants to regulate ghost guns, which are kits for making firearms at home. He also supports Red Flag law, which permits family members and law enforcement to remove guns from somebody who is viewed as a danger to themselves or others through a court order.

To read the ordinance, click on the link below.

2nd Amendment Freedom Policy & Ordinance with Proclamation of Sheriff

Kosciusko County Attorney Ed Ormsby (L) reads an ordinance supporting the Second Amendment during a county commissioner’s meeting Tuesday, April 27. Also pictured from left are Commissioner President Bob Conley, Commissioner Vice President Cary Groninger and County Administrator Marsha McSherry. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.