COLUMBIA COUNTY, Oregon – The County will file an appeal today to request review of Judge Grove's July 29th decision not to answer legal questions surrounding Columbia County's second amendment sanctuary ordinance. The County filed the petition for validation to get clarity from the Court about what firearm regulations can be enforced to avoid other costly litigation. Judge Grove refused to answer those questions.

The Columbia County Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance was adopted in April by the Columbia County Board of Commissioners to implement the intent of the voters as demonstrated by the passage of the “Second Amendment Preservation Ordinance” in 2018 and the “Second Amendment Sanctuary Ordinance” in 2020. "The ordinance is being implemented by the County to the best of its ability given the many questions that remain unanswered," said Sarah Hanson, County Counsel. "We are asking the Court of Appeals whether it is lawful for the local court to refuse to provide a judgment as to the legality of the Ordinance."