One week ago, I wrote about Virginia’s gun control “sanctuary cities.” And according to a new report by The Associated Press, the number of regions rising up in a pro-2nd Amendment stance against potential Democratic legislation has grown phenomenally.
From the AP:
Since Democrats won majorities in the state Senate and House of Delegates in November, more than 100 cities, towns and counties have passed such resolutions, vowing to oppose any new gun laws they believe violate the Second Amendment.
The movement’s incredible expansion prompted state Attorney General Mark Herring to issue a statement Friday warning that those who believe compliance will be optional are standing outside the law.
As per his letter to state Delegate Jerrauld Jones, local governments “cannot nullify state laws.”
Furthermore, in Mark’s subjective view, it’s all a baloney conspiracy:
“These resolutions have no legal force, and they’re just part of an effort by the gun lobby to stoke fear.”
The AG’s words don’t appear set to quell the resistance.
Across the state, thousands of gun advocates have appeared at county meetings in support of the sanctuary resolutions.
Philip Van Cleave — president of gun rights group Virginia Citizens Defense League — has a distinct response to Mark’s message: “a yawn.”
The way Philip sees it, the point of the declarations is to let legislators know the citizenry wants them to back off:
“The whole idea was to send a message from local government representing large numbers of people to say no more gun control.”
But Dems look to be readying for a clampdown on firearms, nonetheless.
As noted by Fox News:
The new General Assembly is expected to vote on two bills in particular — SB 18 and SB 16 — which would ban assault weapons, raise the minimum age of purchase to 21 and require background checks for any firearm transfer.
Gun owner Jim Wood told Harrisonburg’s WHSV3 it’s all an assault on American constitutional liberty:
“It’s just the invasion of someone’s personal rights. … When they start picking apart at it, then all of a sudden it becomes the anti-gun laws that they’ve had in other countries.”
He’s very far from alone.
The Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), a gun-rights group that provides a model resolution, claims that 85 of Virginia’s 95 counties have already approved so-called sanctuary measures. At least nine cities and 17 towns have done the same, the group said.
The VCDL is planning a protest on the steps of the Capitol next month, and Culpepper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins has already promised to deputize residents if gun control passes.
This could become a dangerous situation.
Yet, Governor Ralph “Kill Babies After They’re Born” Northam doesn’t seem concerned:
“I don’t think there’s anything to be afraid of.”
There could be.
Philip Van Cleave believes state Democrats have awakened a “sleeping giant.”
And how will the giant be dealt with? As I relayed on the 13th, Democratic Rep Donald McEachin had a disturbing idea:
“[U]ltimately, I’m not the governor, but the governor may have to nationalize the National Guard to enforce the law. That’s his call, because I don’t know how serious these counties are and how severe the violations of law will be. But that’s obviously an option he has.”
Yeah — that sounds like trouble’s on the way.
-ALEX
Relevant RedState links in this article: here and here.
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The First Gun Owner Charged Under Florida’s Red Flag Law Is Found Guilty
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