More than 100 Virginia cities, counties declare themselves gun sanctuaries as Dems prepare to take legislature
Foxnews
Dozens of Virginia counties and cities are declaring themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries in an apparent revolt against the legislature's proposals for new firearm restrictions.
The movement appeared to gain so much steam that Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring issued an advisory opinion reminding residents that "sanctuary" resolutions had no legal effect.
"It is my opinion that these resolutions have no legal effect," Herring said in a letter issued Friday. "It is my further opinion that localities and local constitutional officers cannot nullify state laws and must comply with gun violence prevention measures that the General Assembly may enact."
Roanoke's WSLS 10 News reported on Thursday that at least 94 counties and towns have approved some type of resolution.
The controversy came just before Democrats are expected to take control of both the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates for the first time since 1996.
Gov. Ralph Northam already pledged to pass "common sense gun safety legislation" after Democrats' election in November.
The new General Assembly could vote on two bills in particular -- SB 18 and SB 16 -- which, together, would ban assault weapons, raise the minimum age of purchase to 21 and require background checks for any firearm transfer.
"It's just the invasion of someone's personal rights," Jim Wood, owner of a Staunton gun shop, told WHSV.
Wood told the Harrisonburg outlet that the Second Amendment "plainly states that we're allowed to bear arms."
"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 said.
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 claims.
The group is also planning a protest for Jan. 20 on the steps of the Capitol. VCDL has posted pictures purportedly showing packed crowds at board of supervisors meetings for more than a dozen localities.
The resistance could reach law enforcement. Culpeper County Sheriff Scott Jenkins has already vowed to deputize citizens if Democrats pass gun control.
On Wednesday, VCDL posted a video showing a rapid increase in sanctuary resolutions since in November, when Democrats won their majority in the state's General Assembly.
Localities across the United States -- including in Florida, California, New Mexico and Washington -- have passed or considered similar measures.
VCDL's model resolution refers to a number of Constitutional provisions and Supreme Court decisions before calling out the potential for gun restrictions in Virginia.
"Certain legislation that has or may be introduced in the Virginia General Assembly, and certain legislation which has or may be introduced in the United States Congress could have the effect of infringing on the rights of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 13 of the Constitution of Virginia.
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Northam seemed unphased by potential backlash in November. "I don’t think there’s anything to be afraid of," he said, according to The Virginian-Pilot.
But according to VCDL president Phillip Van Cleave, Democrats have awakened a "sleeping giant." The governor himself "declared war on Virginia's gun owners," Van Cleave said