The Virginia Citizens’ Defense League has been doing a stellar job convincing counties around the state to pass resolutions saying they won’t adopt new gun laws. Franklin County joined the No New Gun Laws club on August 18, 2020 meaning the number of counties agreeing to it is nearing a couple dozen. Not bad, VCDL. Nice work.
The Franklin News Post reported on it, saying:
The Virginia Citizens Defense League and its members are encouraging localities to pass the resolution to counteract new gun legislation that went into effect July 1. The new law gives localities the authority to ban guns in certain public places.
It was also the VCDL and its members that pushed for localities in the state, including Franklin County, to become a Second Amendment sanctuary.
Brien Dyer attended Tuesday’s meeting to speak in favor of the resolution. He said the new gun law would create a patchwork of different gun laws across the state that would be difficult for responsible gun owners to follow.
But even though they passed the resolution it isn’t exactly permanent (is anything in politics ever truly permanent, though?):
Blackwater District representative Ronald Mitchell read the resolution before it was put to a vote. The resolution stated that Franklin County does not intend on infringing on the rights of its citizens and does not want to discourage travel to the county that could be inhibited with new gun laws.
“The Franklin County Board of Supervisors wishes to express its continued opposition to any law that would unconstitutionally restrict the rights of citizens of, and visitors to Franklin County to keep and bear arms,” Mitchell read from the resolution.
While the resolution was passed unanimously on Tuesday, Snow Creek District representative and Chairman Leland Mitchell said the resolution was non-binding. While the current board has no plans to pass any gun laws, he said future boards could decide not to follow the resolution.
With what’s coming we need more cities, counties, townships — whatever — agreeing to become Second Amendment sanctuaries. A lot of areas seem to be doing the opposite — cough Washington and California cough — but it’s encouraging to see some taking steps toward protecting Second Amendment rights.
Here’s the deal, though. Can you really complain about the state of gun rights in your home state if you aren’t actively fighting to protect them? If you’re expecting someone else to do all the dirty work, invest all their time and money, but aren’t willing to do your part…sit down and shut up.
Part of being a responsible gun owner is doing your part to further Second Amendment rights. It might be an unpopular opinion, but there you have it. What have you done to protect and further Second Amendment rights lately?