Dogs, Chickens and Guns

The Escambia County Commission enjoyed a marathon session last night. The packed agenda included dogs, chickens and guns.

After previously delaying the approval of two designated dog beaches on Pensacola Beach to allow time to plan for additional dog areas on Perdido Key, the commission approved the entire collection of dog beaches. The board also reversed their stance on allowing for backyard chickens; after hearing from pro-chicken constituents, the commission delayed any decision and decided to take another look at the option.

The subject of guns arose due to Commissioner Wilson Robertson pushing for a resolution affirming Escambia County’s support for the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

“We don’t want anything tampering with our constitutional right to bear arms,” Robertson said.

Some citizens raised concerns about the resolution in the context of a larger national conversation about proposed firearm legislation. The commissioner’s efforts were questioned as “NRA propaganda.”

Commissioner Lumon May also said the resolution seemed suspect. He questioned the timing and noted that the community is currently dealing with gun-violence issues.

“Federal law supersedes local law—I have a little reservation why we’re even getting involved in pushing this resolution,” May said. “This is a hot topic. A lot of people are being shot, a lot of gun problems in Escambia County.”

Robertson stressed that the resolution was simply a show of support for the Second Amendment. The commissioner said the amendment afforded citizens the ability to protect themselves.

“Most of the time when you see me, I’ve got a gun in my pocket,” Robertson said, noting his concealed weapons permit.

The entire commission—including May, who said he also had a concealed weapons permit—voiced support for the Second Amendment. The resolution, however, was passed on a 4-1 vote, with May dissenting.

Robertson did connect the Escambia resolution—which was a show of support of the Second Amendment—to the larger conversation.

“It’s ludicrous, in my opinion, to say just because we’re having a lot of gun violence we need to amend the Constitution,” Robertson said, later adding, “You talk about this is a national debate—that’s the problem, we sit back and let national do everything and we don’t defend ourselves.”

The commissioner also commented on a Second Amendment rally scheduled for downtown Pensacola. The rally has faced criticism for its locale—the Martin Luther King, Jr. Plaza. During the commission meeting, citizens again questioned the appropriateness of celebrating the right to bear arms near the bust of the slain civil rights leader who was shot dead.

“Now, the location of the rally is probably awful,” Robertson conceded, adding that he would still be speaking at the event.