By: David Tripp
12 Dec 2019
Verification Citation/Source: Lancaster County Board of Supervisors
Resolution date passed: 12 Dec 2019
Vote Count: 5-0
Yea: Jack D. Larson, 1st District – Ernest W. Palin, Jr., 2nd District – Jason D. Bellows, 3rd District – William R. Lee, 4th District – Robert S. Westbrook, 5th District
Nay: None
A RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE LANCASTER COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AFFIRMING AND SUPPORTING THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE UNITED STATES AND VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, the members of the Board of Supervisors 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 1, 8 13 of the Virginia Constitution reads: “That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to anus, 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, will infringe upon rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 1, 8 13 of the Virginia Constitution;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors of Lancaster County 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 the State and Federal governments to vigilantly preserve and protect those rights by rejecting any provision, law or regulation that may infringe or have the tendency to infringe 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.
Adopted this 12th day of December 2019 Attest:
Don G. Gill County Administrator
