If you think the 250th anniversary of the founding of our nation is a fine time for conservative areas of blue and purple states to make a stand against tyranny, you're not alone. It turns out that several top law enforcement officials in the commonwealth of Virginia – and, really, is there a more appropriate setting? – are refusing to enforce Democrat Gov. Abigail Spanberger's most controversial new law.
As RedState's own Ward Clark reported Monday, one such official, Commonwealth's Attorney Ryan Mehaffey of Spotsylvania County, alerted the county sheriff that "assault weapons" ban going into effect on July 1 is "unconstitutional and cannot be lawfully enforced." Furthermore, said Mehaffey, "historical tradition and case law precedent" require Virginians to arm themselves "for common defense."
Here's a bit of Ward's reporting on Mehaffey and Mehaffey's strong stance on the Spanberger gun grab:
Mehaffey explained his opposition:
According to Mehaffey, the Second Amendment is not just an assurance of personal freedoms, but also a safeguard for a community’s ability to defend itself through a "well-regulated militia."
"Our founders were careful to make sure when they drafted our founding document, that the ultimate right of the people was preserved to defend themselves and to defend their community," he explained. "So, the linchpin of the constitutional analysis is going to be does this instrument have some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a regulated militia."
As it turns out, Mehaffey is not alone in standing up for the law-abiding citizens of Virginia. A growing chorus of commonwealth's attorneys and sheriffs are shouting from the rooftops that they, too, will decline to enforce the new law, which, among other things, bans Virginians from buying, selling, or transfering AR-15s.
READ MORE: Spanberger Signs AR-15 Ban, Then Immediately Says the Quiet Part Out Loud
VA Prosecutor Draws Line in Sand Over Spanberger Gun Ban
In addition to Mehaffey, the commonwealth's attorneys of Smyth and Powhatan counties have previously stated they, too, will be standing strong in defense of the Second Amendment. And Pulaski County Commonwealth's Attorney Justin Griffith said Tuesday that “enforcement of criminal laws is at the discretion of the Commonwealth’s Attorney of each locality.” He added, “I am not going to take law-abiding citizens as of June 30, 2026 and criminalize that same behavior on July 1, 2026 solely on the basis of this new law.”
This just into my inbox from Pulaski County commonwealth’s attorney: pic.twitter.com/HOkj4gOAgL
— Avery Davis (@AveryRDaviss) May 26, 2026
Several sheriffs are also joining the growing the rebellion, having warned Spanberger and Virginia Democrats months ago that they were going too far with the gun ban.
Amherst County Sheriff Jimmy Ayers said of the new law, “The citizens of Amherst County have the right to bear arms as long as they’re qualified individuals to do so.” His counterpart in Campbell County, Sheriff Whit Clark said, “I believe that this is an infringement on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owning citizens.” Clark also called the law “nothing more than a gun grab.”
In a hilarious and utterly predictable move, Virginia Democrats are now clutching their pearls over the thought of prosecutors actually upholding the U.S. Constitution. These same people haven't uttered a peep about Steve Descano, the commonwealth's attorney of Fairfax County who repeatedly releases violents illegals back into the community.
This is a gross neglect of duties and responsibilities by any commonwealth attorney. You don’t get to pick and choose which law you will enforce. Please do your jobs. https://t.co/QLkDuGmzxV
— Michael Jones (@thedrmikejones) May 26, 2026
Picking and choosing is only for Democrats, apparently.
Nonetheless, Sheriff Clark remains steadfast, stating, "I’ve laid my hand on the Bible three times and swore to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States, and I intend to do that.” Patrick Henry would be proud.
P.S. My latest video explores the growing rebellion in Virginia. You can watch here:
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