Graphic by Gun Rights Watch

Since the November 5th Election, over 100 localities have declared themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries or in some limited Constitutional Counties.  What is a Second Amendment Sanctuary? A Second Amendment Sanctuary is any locality that says it will not enforce any unconstitutional (federal or state) gun laws. Many sheriffs are going to take the County's lead on this and county police could be told not to enforce such laws either.  Localities may decide not to use local tax dollars to enforce federal and/or state gun control laws.  A Constitutional County is a locality that passed a resolution that simply states they will protect the constitutional rights of their citizens.

It is very important to note that these are resolutions and don't carry the force of law (with the exception of Buchanan County which also passed an ordinance. The State could however challenge that ordinance in court).  Virginia is a Dillon Rule state which means state law determines what localities can and can't do.  While this show of defiance is encouraging, gun owners need to remember that a 2nd Amendment Sanctuary resolution doesn't change the fact that had bills like Senate Bill 16 or HB 961 passed in the 2020 General Assembly and signed , you would still have been a felon if you own the banned items in the bill, as competitive shooter Todd Jarret said in a Facebook video on Thanksgiving Day.  What the massive turnout by gun owners and the resolutions have done is shown Governor Northam and the gun ban lobby is there is massive opposition to their plans for gun bans and confiscation.