They say Virginia is for Lovers! Well, from recent news it appears Virginia is for Gun Lovers! Lets take a look at three things Americans can learn from recent events in the The Old Dominion.
The news coming out of Virginia has been very interesting. While I am no expert on Virginia politics, I do see at least three things that all Americans should learn from what’s been going on for the last six weeks.
Background
On November 5, 2019, the Commonwealth of Virginia elected a majority of Democrats to both the state House and Senate. These soon to be seated representatives have pre-filed a series of “gun control” measures that infringe on the rights of Virginia gun owners. Measures they have submitted for the 2020 legislative session include:
- HB 2, SB12, & SB 70 – Requires a background check for all firearms transfers. (I noted the summary refers to transfers, not sales.)
- HB 9 & SB 67 – Creates a $250 fine for not reporting a lost or stolen firearm within 24 hours of discovery.
- HB 78 – Prohibits the possession of firearms by those who have been convicted of certain misdemeanor violations.
- SB 13 – Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to possess or transport a firearm within the Capitol square.
- SB 14 – Bans any device that increases the rate of fire of a semi-automatic firearm.
- SB 15 – Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to possess or transport a firearm in a building owned or leased by the Commonwealth.
- SB 16 – Expands the definition of “assault firearm” and prohibits its possession, sale, or manufacture. The bill also bans magazines designed to hold more than 10 rounds or shotguns that hold more than seven rounds.
- SB 18 – Requires a person to be 21 years old to purchase a firearm.
- SB 22 & SB 69 – Limits the purchases of handguns to one in a 30-day period.
- SB 35 – Allows localities to prohibit the possession of a firearm or ammunition in a public space during a permitted event.
- SB 71 – Adds public, private, or religious preschools and day care centers to the list of locations where firearms’ possession is prohibited.
While this list is a small fraction of the bills that have already been filed in the state legislature, they represent a veritable wishlist of measures meant to control people who keep and bear arms. These pieces of legislation have caused quite an uproar, not only in the Virginia gun-owner community, but in many of its counties as well. As of the writing of this article, Keep VA 2A reports that 84 counties (88%), 10 cities, and 11 towns have designated themselves as Second Amendment Sanctuaries, with some entities passing resolutions and others passing ordinances. Meanwhile, there are counties that have stated they will refuse to enforce unconstitutional laws, with others prohibiting the use of county funds to assist in enforcing laws that violate the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
While all of what appears to be a grass roots effort is impressive, what can the rest of us learn from these events?
Elections Have Consequences
When asked by a Virginian what I thought about the recent events in Virginia, my initial reaction was this is an excellent example of trying to shut the barn door after the horses have gotten out. While the turnout to the local and county meetings have been record-breaking, we should not forget that the people of these same counties elected the representatives proposing to infringe on their rights. I don’t know if it was a lack of turnout in these counties that sent rights-hating representatives to Richmond or if it was a disbelief of what these politicians were actually saying, but whatever the reason, these representatives were chosen by the citizens of Virginia.
We often talk about our right to vote, but we rarely talk about our duty to do so wisely. So what do I think about this situation? I think that if a fraction of the energy currently being expended to protect the rights of Virginians had been spent getting to know their candidates, then turning up to vote for those most willing to support their constitutionally protected rights means the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement wouldn’t have been necessary.
Rule of Law Matters
There has been some pushback from Roanoke. The Lt. Gov. said he was not swayed by the wave of counties declaring themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries. He said people should remain focused on “common sense measures” even if they infringe on rights protected by the Constitutions they have sworn to support. Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly told the Washington Examiner, “I would hope they either resign in good conscience, because they cannot uphold the law which they are sworn to uphold, or they’re prosecuted for failure to fulfill their oath.” What Mr. Connolly, and apparently many in Virginia government fail to realize, is that the oath of office taken by law enforcement officers includes the support of the Constitution of the United States and of their states. Not only law enforcement, but every member of the government (executive, judicial, and yes, even legislative), is required to swear or affirm their support for the U.S. Constitution as part of their oath.
The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution;
U.S. Constitution, Article VI, Clause 3
I have one question for those calling for dismissal, cutting off funds, or in one case even suggesting calling out the National Guard against those who are standing up for their citizens’ rights: Are you really willing to punish those who will not enforce laws that are blatantly unconstitutional? The proposed laws I listed above infringes on the rights of everyday, law-abiding Americans to keep and bear arms. That’s something strictly prohibited by the very Constitutions you will swear or affirm to support.
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.
U.S. Constitution, Amendment II, (emphasis mine)
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;
Virginia Constitution, Article I, Section 13 (emphasis mine)
This is Not the First Time
Lost in this struggle over the right to keep and bear arms are little pieces of history called the battles of Lexington and of Concord. People have forgotten that these battles, which were the spark that set the Revolutionary War ablaze, were over gun control. The British sent troops to take control of the militia powder house in Concord. Unlike the National Guard today, the militia in the colonies then consisted solely of what’s called the unorganized militia, who were ordinary people who would answer the call to defend their neighbors. The central government (Britain) was sending the military to confiscate their weapons and ammunition. Is this what you think when you hear elected officials in a state capital threaten to use the State Police and the National Guard to deprive citizens of their firearms and ammunition?
Conclusion
At dawn on April 19, 1775, a British military force was met by the colonial militia on Lexington green. When the British commander ordered the militia to lay down their arms and disperse, the militia commander, a Capt. John Parker, is quoted as saying: “Stand your ground; don’t fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here.”
I ask the politicians in Roanoke, are you willing to stand and face your fellow citizens and order them to lay down their arms? And are you prepared for the response you might get and the war that might ensue?
I also ask the citizens of Virginia if you have learned your lesson? Are you going to put more time and effort into selecting representatives who will uphold their oath to support the Constitutions of the United States and Virginia? Or are you prepared to follow John Parker’s advice? Are you willing to let a war begin in your home towns because you were unwilling to fulfill your duty to elect honorable men and women to public office who would protect your rights rather than try to protect you?
To all Americans who are blaming the politicians in Roanoke for this mess, remember they are only there because the citizens of Virginia placed them there. They hired them to represent them and to wield power in their name. So before we go pointing a finger at the politicians, we should also point it at the citizens who placed them there. We should all learn to choose our elected representatives more wisely, or we will one day stand before a ruling class ordering us to not only lay down our arms, but our rights as well.
