Marco Island City Council wants to follow Collier County as a “Bill of Rights sanctuary.” Council members say they want to protect citizens from federal government mandates having to do with such issues as guns and personal information – mandates the city council might deem unconstitutional.
Collier County Board of Commissioners approved the designation for the county in August.
“It doesn’t apply to the city,” Councilman Greg Folley said in an interview. “They were trailblazing.”
Collier was the first county in Florida to make such a declaration. Several counties have followed but Marco appears to the first city in the state set to take the stance, though some have declared themselves “second-amendment sanctuaries“.
The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Among them are freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly; the right to bear arms; protection against unreasonable search and seizure; and the right to a speedy and public trial.
“This legislation mirrors legislation passed by the county in August,” Folley said.