The Penn Forest Township supervisors showed their support for gun rights but stopped short of naming the township a Second Amendment sanctuary.

The supervisors voted 5-0 Monday to pass a resolution declaring the township a “Second Amendment township.”

They resolved to “celebrate, promote, and preserve the right to bear arms.”

The township is one of many in Carbon County who have recently considered becoming a Second Amendment sanctuary. Four other townships have taken official action.

Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions usually say that a municipality, county or state won’t spend money to enforce gun laws that they feel violate the constitution.

The Penn Forest supervisors said that they felt their resolution was the maximum they could do under state law. They cited state laws that largely prohibit local municipalities from making their own rules regarding gun possession.

“Because we don’t have the right as a township, we can’t put it in an ordinance,” said township Supervisor Roger Meckes. “Of course we support the Second Amendment. We’ll never give that up.”

The township resident who first approached the supervisors about becoming a sanctuary said he still hopes that townships in the area will consider his offer. But Brandon Bell also applauded the supervisors for supporting gun rights.

“I see it as a great first step. I live in Penn Forest. Something is better than nothing, especially what is happening today,” Bell said, referring to executive orders from President Joe Biden regarding the sale of certain types of firearms.

Since the beginning of the year, Bell has been visiting township supervisors and borough councils around Carbon County encouraging them to pass Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions. The proposed rules are drafted by the Gun Owners of America, which refers to itself as the no-compromise gun lobby.

Bell started an online petition urging the Carbon County Commissioners to pass a resolution, and it has more than 2,200 signatures. He said there are signed paper petitions as well.

Bell is also a candidate for Penn Forest Township Supervisor. He said that decision came after his campaign to recruit municipalities as second amendment sanctuaries.

So far, Franklin Township, Palmerton, Bowmanstown and Lansford have each adopted Second Amendment sanctuary resolutions.