We recently reported how state lawmakers in Virginia, fresh off a Democrat winning the recent governor’s race, have begun pushing all manners of restrictive gun-control legislation.
Along with a proposed ban on so-called “assault weapons” and “high-capacity” magazines, Democrats in the legislature are even pushing a proposal that criminalizes possession, purchase or transport of a so-called “assault firearm” by anyone under the age of 21, even if the firearm was lawfully owned and manufactured before the ban date, and another that adds a $500 tax on suppressor purchases.
The full-on onslaught of anti-gun bills has some more conservative cities worrying about what might happen. Consequently, they’re considering their own ordinances to nip the legislature’s anti-Second Amendment activism at the bud.
One such city is Lynchburg, Tennessee, home of the renowned Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey Distillery and thousands of lawful gun owners who don’t want to see their rights infringed. Consequently, some Lynchburg city councilors are pushing a proposal that would make Lynchburg a Second Amendment Sanctuary and declare that state firearms laws simply don’t apply there.
According to a report at bearingarms.com, councilman Chris Faraldi and Vice Mayor Curt Diemer are urging their colleagues on the council to support the proposal.
“I think the time is right to do it again, and I appreciate that Mr. Faraldi is bringing this issue forward,” Diemer said. “The reason it’s important is I’ve looked at the bills coming out of Richmond, and this is some significant dangers that are coming out.”
Vice Mayor Diemer is, of course, correct about that. And he’s calling attention to the danger the various pieces of legislation present to lawful gun owners.
“They’re pushing more laws,” he said. “I hope we are all wide awake and that we send a strong message again to Richmond that we will not be compromising on the Second Amendment; that it’s a constitutional right given to us by God, and we’re not gonna negotiate that away, and you’re not gonna legislate it away.”
Along with the state legislation mentioned earlier, anti-gun Democrats have more recently introduced more damaging bills. One, HB 919, would put an 11% tax on the sale of all firearms and ammunition “by a dealer in firearms, firearms manufacturer, or ammunition vendor,” with the proceeds going to the “Virginia Gun Violence Intervention and Prevention Fund.”
Another, HB 916, would expand the requirements for a Virginia concealed carry permit to include “a handgun shooting class or course that teaches (i) efficient, effective, and responsible use of a concealed handgun for self-defense outside of the home; (ii) state laws pertaining to handguns; and (iii) proper handgun storage techniques.” Additionally, HB 901 would expand the state’s already dangerous so-called red-flag law, making it even more onerous and likely that guns will be confiscated without due process.
The Lynchburg council is set to consider the 2A Sanctuary proposal the next time it meets.