Two more localities have passed resolutions establishing Second Amendment Sanctuaries.
Monday, the Front Royal Town Council unanimously passed their version of the non-binding resolution, and the next day, Greene County also passed theirs.
The resolutions are the result of lobbying efforts by the Virginia Citizens Defense League, declaring that the localities will not pass laws restricting firearms. In July, new state laws took effect that allow cities and counties to pass their own gun laws, triggering a flurry of action. Some places are restricting guns, others are passing resolutions declaring they will not restrict guns. The resolutions are like a covenant — local leaders can still pass ordinances to the contrary — but are a way to signal allegiances to citizens and politicians.
“These resolutions are important to send a message to citizens that live in an area: ‘We are your government that represents you, we’re going to protect your rights and not take them away,’ and also send a message back to Richmond,” VCDL President Philip Van Cleave said.
At the Greene County Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Davis Lamb read a letter from the Commonwealth’s Attorney Edwin Consolvo and Sheriff Steven Smith. The letter called for the board to pass the resolution noting that it “demonstrates the county’s resolve not to restrict the rights of the people to keep and bear arms.”
In the letter, Consolvo added that having different gun laws in different localities would be confusing for people trying to travel. The letter stated, “Even if others believe that such legislation is prudent at this time, our Board of Supervisors should not attempt to craft an untested, experimental ordinance bound for protracted court proceedings and endless appeals at the county’s expense.”
Greene County voted unanimously to pass the law with little other discussion.
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Eric Burk is a reporter at The Virginia Star and the Star News Digital Network. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Concealed Carry” by Clinger Holsters. CC BY-ND 2.0.
