One of the many great things about the United States is the freedom to think and say what you believe in, even when it’s nuts.

Such was the case when the Moore County (Board of Commissioners) was asked by a county citizen to follow the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners, which became the first in the nation to pass a nullification resolution in “support” of the Second Amendment.

The Moore commissioners were encouraged to “take a similar stand to prohibit the implementation, within the state of North Carolina, of any federal law, executive order, action or regulation restricting the right to keep and bear arms as provided to the people by the United States and North Carolina constitutions.”

There’s just one little problem: Nullification has been found unconstitutional over and over by the courts. Although we all enjoy many individual freedoms, we can’t unilaterally determine a law to be unconstitutional. That’s why we have courts, legislative bodies and the vote.

It has become fashionable of late to talk of “nullification” and “secession,” and while individuals engage in this crazy talk, it is more than troubling when elected officials seem to.

The Moore (board) has had a recent history of wandering away from its mission with last year’s talk of passing a resolution in support of the unfortunate N.C. Constitutional Amendment barring gay marriage. Now Chairman Caddell wastes the county attorney’s time chasing down the legality of this brilliant idea.

States can’t nullify federal law, so a county commission getting into the act is nothing but political grandstanding.

HD Maynard

Southern Pines