By: David Tripp
9 Dec 2019
At a regular meeting of the board of supervisors of Rockbridge County, Virginia, held at the rockbridge county administrative offices, and relocated to the Rockbridge County High School auditorium on monday, December 9, 2019
Verification Citation/Source: Rockbridge County Supervisors meeting minutes
Resolution date passed: 9 Dec 2019
Vote Count: 4-1
Nay: Daniel E. Lyons – Chairman
A RESOLUTION TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS OF ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY
WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Supervisors of Rockbridge County have taken an oath to defend and uphold the constitutions of the United States and Virginia; and,
WHEREAS, the Board wishes to ensure that members of Virginia’s General Assembly and Governor clearly understand that the Board fully supports the Second Amendment rights of the Citizens of Rockbridge County, as granted by the United States and Virginia Constitutions; 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 is concerned that legislation introduced 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,
WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors 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), except as may be specifically authorized by statute; and,
WHEREAS, although the Board acknowledges that it has no legal authority to adopt local legislation which supersedes any law enacted by the United States Congress or Virginia General Assembly, has no authority over the independent execution of the responsibilities of constitutional officers involved in law enforcement with a sworn duty to uphold and enforce the laws adopted by the legislative bodies, and that any determination regarding the constitutionality of legislation lies with the judicial branch of government, the Board wishes to clearly and unequivocally express its support of the right of its citizens to keep and bear arms.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of Rockbridge County declares Rockbridge 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. This Resolution shall be effective upon the date of its adoption. Adopted this 9th day of December, 2019.
Recorded Vote:
AYES: Hinty, Higgins, Day, Lewis
NAYES: Lyons
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
