By: David Tripp
3 Dec 2019
After the meeting was moved due to so many in attendance, many spoke at the meeting before a vote was called. The middlesex board used a resolution that was previously passed in Botetourt County. The vote passed 3-1-1 with one voting against and one abstaining to become a Second Amendment Sanctuary.
Verification Citation/Source: Middlesex County Board of Supervisors
Resolution date passed: 3 Dec 2019
Vote Count: 3-1-1
Yea: Chip Holt, John Koontz, Wayne Jessie
Nay: Peter W. Mansfield
Abstain: Kathleen Swinehart
A RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND VIRGINIA AND DECLARING MIDDLESEX COUNTY A SECOND AMENDMENT SANCTUARY COUNTY
WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Supervisors of Middlesex 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, other than those expressly authorized by statute,” 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, that the Board of Supervisors of Middlesex County declares Middlesex 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, FURTHER, 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.
Board of Supervisors, Middlesex County, VA
Mark E. Holt, III Aye
Peter W. Mansfield Nay
Wayne H. Jessie, Sr. Aye
Kathleen Swinehart Abstain
John B. Koontz, Jr. Aye
Adopted at the regular meeting of the Middlesex County Board of Supervisors held on December 3, 2019.