By: David Tripp
26 Nov 2019
Supervisor Hoffman moved that the Board approve Resolution #2019-19 [Right to Bear Arms], seconded by Supervisor Foster.
Aye: R. Clay Jackson, Amber Foster, Weakley, Charlotte Hoffman
Nay: Kevin McGhee
Verification Citation/Source: Madison County Board of Supervisors
Resolution date passed: 26 Nov 2019
Vote Count: 4-1
RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF MADISON COUNTY, VIRGINIA RESOLUTION #2019-19
WHEREAS, the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States reads: “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed;” and,
WHEREAS, Article 1, Section 13, of the Constitution of Virginia provides “that a well-regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state, therefore, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed; that standing armies, in time of peace, should be avoided as dangerous to liberty; and that in all cases the military should be under strict subordination to, and governed by, the civil power,” and,
WHEREAS, certain legislation introduced in the Virginia General Assembly, and certain legislation introduced in the United States Congress could have the effect of infringing on the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution; and,
WHEREAS, the Governor has stated that he intends to endorse and pass into law legislation that infringes on the Constitutional rights of Virginia’s citizens; and,
WHEREAS, the Madison County Board of Supervisors is concerned about the passage of any bill containing language which could be interpreted as infringing the rights of the citizens of Madison County to keep and bear arms or could begin a slippery slope of restrictions on the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Madison County; and,
WHEREAS, the Madison County Board of Supervisors wishes to express its deep commitment to the rights of citizens of Madison County to keep and bear Arms as guaranteed by the Second and Fourteenth Amendments of the Constitution of the United States; and,
WHEREAS, the Madison County Board of Supervisors wishes to express opposition to any law that would unconstitutionally infringe the rights under the Second Amendment of the citizens of Madison County to bear arms and,
WHEREAS, the Madison County Board of Supervisors wishes to express its intent to stand as a Sanctuary County for Second Amendment rights and to oppose, within the limits of the Constitution of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, any efforts to unconstitutionally restrict such rights, and to use such legal means at its disposal to protect the right of the citizens to keep and bear arms, including through legal action, the power appropriation of public funds, and the right to petition for redress of grievances, and the direction to the law enforcement and judiciary of Madison County to not enforce any unconstitutional law.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF MADISON COUNTY, VIRGINIA:
That the Board of Supervisors hereby express its intent to uphold the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Madison County, Virginia and its intent that public funds of the County not be used to restrict Second Amendment rights or to aid in the unnecessary and unconstitutional restriction of the rights under the Second Amendment of the citizens of Madison County, Virginia to bear arms;and,
That the Board of Supervisors hereby declares its intent to oppose unconstitutional restrictions on the right to keep and bear arms through such legal means as may be expedient, including without limitation court action; and,
That the Board of Supervisors hereby declares Madison County, Virginia, as a “Second Amendment Sanctuary?
