By: David Tripp
3 Dec 2019
Verification Citation/Source: Alleghany County Board of Supervisors
Resolution date passed: 3 Dec 2019
Vote Count: Unanimously
Shannon P. Cox Yes
G. Matt Garten Yes
James M. Griffith Yes
Richard Lee Shull Yes
M. Joan Vannorsdall Absent
Cletus W. Nicely Yes
Stephen A. Bennett Yes
A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND VIRGINIA AND DECLARING ALLEGHANY COUNTY A SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY COUNTY
WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Supervisors of Alleghany County have taken an oath to defend and uphold the constitutions of the United States and Virginia; and WHEREAS, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution 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 I, § 13 of the Virginia Constitution reads: “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;” and
WHEREAS, the Board has no legislative, regulatory, or enforcement authority related to “the purchase, possession, transfer, ownership, carrying, storage or transporting of firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof,” as provided by Section 15.2-915 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, and has no authority over the independent execution of the duties of the constitutional officers involved in law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, the Board is concerned that introduced legislation for the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, if passed, could infringe upon rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, § 13 of the Virginia Constitution; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Alleghany County declares Alleghany County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County and fully affirms its support of the rights ensured and protected by the constitutions of the United States and Virginia, including the rights of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board urges the Virginia General Assembly, the United States Congress, and other agencies of State and Federal government to vigilantly preserve and protect those rights by rejecting any provision, law, or regulation that may infringe, have the tendency to infringe, or place any additional burdens on the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the Board directs its staff to forward a copy of this resolution to the County’s elected representatives in the Virginia General Assembly and the United States Congress and to the Governor of Virginia.
