Virginia

Virginia Counties Approve ‘2nd Amendment Sanctuary' Resolutions

More than 75 localities in Virginia have passed such resolutions

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The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors has voted unanimously to approve a resolution declaring the country a "Second Amendment Sanctuary."

The declaration holds that county police will not enforce state-level gun laws that some say infringe on second amendment rights.

A crowd of gun rights supporters gathered outside the Board of Supervisors building on Tuesday night

The designation is meant to send a message to the General Assembly in Richmond, where Democrats won both chambers in November's elections for the first time in two decades. Many of those Democrats promised gun reform.

The election of a Democratic majority in Virginia changes everything, Lori Haas of the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence said. Her daughter was shot and wounded in the Virginia Tech massacre. “The voters got fed up and sent a message loud and clear,” Haas told News4’s Julie Carey. Here’s what legislation on guns is on the agenda when the General...

More than 75 Virginia localities have passed similar resolutions, according to the Virginia Citizens Defense League, although the measures hold little legal weight.

Del. Kathleen Murphy, D-Fairfax County, told News4 that the measures won't sway her against passing new gun safety laws. She said the Attorney General already issued a statement saying that state laws preempt local ordinances.

"So I think these will be very ineffective," Murphy said.

Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors member Greg Benton says the measures are symbolic.

"We have no legal teeth," said Benton.

The Board of Supervisors in Prince William County passed a similar resolution early Wednesday morning.

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