Grandstanding a bit, so it seems. The Second Amendment has always had some restrictions, eg. I've got no right to own and use a suitcase nuke. Where you draw the line between the bolt action .22 target rifle I used while on the college rifle team and the proverbial suitcase nuke is open to debate. That debate is healthy and the right of citizens to address their representatives on hot topics of the day such as this is also protected by our Constitution.

That being said, the Constitution IS under attack from both extremes of the political spectrum. We are far more of a police state than we were when I was growing up. The TSA is exhibit A.

Some people take a little more time to realize that we have a huge problem...even in the 1800s we had gun bands in some city's across America!

Mariano must be looking to run for a higher office,he's not suited to run for dog catcher.

He's a slippery one! I'd much rather he look after the things he was elected to look after than position himself for other office. I am a firearms instructor, and even I am not dumb enough to try and block universal background checks.....

The american people should realize that we are living in a 21 first century era.
Our Constitution dates centuries ago.
Are we high jacked by old concepts written then? or are we defending fiercely a national religious tradition, like judaism
Just asking.

I thought our commissioners already took an oath to uphold the constitution - was their oath suppose to include "as it is written" - there are other more important issues that need to be addressed like the huge feril cat problem this county has - rural sheriff and fire department coverage - those are a lot more important than bringing up during a PUBLIC meeting for the other commissioners to "TAKE A PLEDGE" to support what their OATH already says that they support

So glad to see so many who see this as the simple-minded pandering that it is. Surely the county has more pressing business than this conspiracy nonsense.

While this may be grandstanding I see no issue with local officials showing support for the Constitution. There may be pressing issues that need attention but affirming support for the principals this country was founded on should be high on that list.

Important as local cat issues and avoiding a slippery slope are I think the commissioners can show this support and get the rest of the day job they have done.

What I say is BRAVO!! I'm so tired of all of these politicians that are just caving to the liberals who want to erode our rights away and turn us into a socialist country. I don't care if he is the Mayor, the City commissioner, the dog catcher or the toilet bowl cleaner. Take a stand. The constitution is not something that becomes old and outdated, it is the standard by which our country lives by. It is that line in the sand that allows us to keep balance with our God given freedom. If you keep moving the line, we will Lose Our Freedom eventually. People are so stupid they think it can't happen to us. Well, I'm here to tell you that it can and it is happening. The question is, what are we going to do about it? At least Jack Mariano is trying to take a stand!

Reverend, a .22 will take care of your feral cat problem.

The U.S. Supreme Court interprets the Constitution. That's why they're hired...If we want to change it, we can always go through the amendment process. Presently we can use the amendment process to change the amendment process. Simple, but as laid out takes two-thirds of a states legislature in two-thirds of the 50 states plus two-thirds of The U.S. House and Senate, and is subject to presidential veto.

The Constitution "As Written" had no position on slavery. Wonder if Mariano has a position on slavery?

I was at the meeting to hear first hand the absolutely ridiculous call from Mariano for reconfirming that all Commissioners support the Constitution of The U.S.. Mr. Mariano put words wrapped around amendments to make them sound as thought they were written to just enforce what the Republican Party is trying to do to beat down a President they could not beat with an election and with the support of the people. If you were there to hear his twisted and deformed wording to try to block any discussions from the public on issues that he could claim might somehow cause any question on infringement to the bill of Mariano Rights you would see that it was and is just a ploy to
deny your right to have a hearing. We keep hearing the Republican Party trying to compare President Obama to Hitler but the last time I remember reading of this type of arbitrary silencing of public input was when Hitler took over the German Government and stifled any objects to his beliefs. Both in Washington and now here in little old New Port Richy we have this bully boy style of Government and it is called the GOP. No wonder your Party has begun to become unraveled in America. We see and object and reject this style of obstructive and destructive Government both local and national. Mariano you are insulting and insufferable to suggest that anybody has to take allegiance to your reinterpretation of the Constitution to be considered a supporter of our Government. You do not belong in office.

If we REALLY followed the 2nd amendment, nobody would have the right to bear arms! Can't anybody read the part that says ...."in the absence of a standing militia"...?
Well, we now have the sheriff, the police, the national guard. They are all standing militias! I never realized Mariano was a right wing gun nut. Now that I know, I certainly won't be supporting his positions any longer.

Anyone that wants to make it harder to do background checks at gun shows is in need of a straight jacket. No wonder these people are reviled & considered crazy. Checking out someone's background before they buy the kind of weapons sold at gun shows is not chipping away at constitutional rights. Sane people should make note of who votes with this guy & make sure they remember to vote to throw Him & them out when votes are cast.

THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT JACK'S THINKING DID NOT FLY TODAY. THANKS TO CONCERNED CITIZENS SHOWING UP TODAY.

The constitution was written to span all times. The constitution was also written to restrict the government, not restrict the people. I point you to the 9th amendment:
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people."
It is basically referring to all natural rights we inherit from our creator, just because they are not in these amendments, we retain. We must remember why the bill of rights was written, it was written because the people feared if certain rights were not explicitly stated, a tyrannical government like the one they just broke free from would take over.
Specifically, there is general consensus that the 2nd amendment referred to the rights of the people to own weapons equal to the government soldiers normal weaponry. The 2nd amendment is not there for hunting or even self defense from a robber, but to establish the right of the people to, if need be, defend themselves from their own government force or a foreign force on their soil. What Mr. Mariano and the 10th amendment center are pushing for is state and local autonomy when dealing with regulations. The Federal Government's role is to provide for national defense and regulate interstate commerce. The general welfare clause has been so blown open that even Alexander Hamilton would be rolling over. It is not about no regulation or no laws, it is about local governments right to make the rules, not be forced by the Federal Gov.

I am wondering why anyone would be against background checks for buying a weapon? Does this mean they support someone with a violent criminal background or a dangerous psychiatric diagnosis having a weapon in their control? Maybe we should talk about doing away with the tests and licensing that go with driving a car?

Its not about the background checks. It is about who makes the laws governing communities, local authorities or the Feds. I am against the fed coming here and telling me what regulations we need to institute.