Earlier today Tom Knighton covered the not-so-great news about the number of NICS checks performed on firearm transfers during Thanksgiving week, which were down about 13% compared to last year.
One state that bucked the trend, though, is Virginia. The National Shooting Sports Foundation reports the state was among the top five across the country for both NICS checks in general and NICS checks on the transfer of long guns; a surge NSSF’s Mark Oliva attributes to concerns about a sweeping semi-auto ban coming as soon as the Democrats take complete control of state government next month.
The spike in sales is an indication that at least some Virginia gun owners are aware of the looming threats to their Second Amendment rights, even though Democratic officials have largely been silent about their gun control plans. State Sen. Creigh Deeds told reporters a few weeks ago that he and other lawmakers are working on language for an “assault weapons ban”, and Sen. Scott Surovell has hinted that a permit-to-purchase law is likely to be introduced as well, but to date only two gun control bills have been filed; one meant to aid civil lawsuits against the firearms industry, and another dealing with the transfer of firearms that belong to a prohibited person.
The Democrats’ strategy of delaying the introduction of their gun control plans has largely kept the issue out of the media, and may have even given some gun owners a false sense of security. There’s a wave of 2A infringement heading their way, however, and groups like the Virginia Citizens Defense League have been rallying their members to contact their local county supervisors, city councils, sheriffs, and Commonwealth’s Attorneys and urge them to stand firm against the impending attacks on our Second Amendment rights.
This week VCDL published a statement one of its members received from the sheriff of Fauquier County; a D.C. exurb but one that’s still pretty red. Winsome Earle-Sears received 57% of the vote in the county in last month’s elections, and Fauquier County voters also helped elect a pair of Republicans to serve in the House of Delegates.
With that in mind, the comments from Sheriff Jeremy Falls may not be surprising, but they’re still welcome.
Falls said he values “the passion and responsibility shown by our county’s law-abiding firearms owners, sportsmen, collectors and enthusiasts,” before addressing his constituent’s concerns.
As Sheriff, I have taken an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Virginia. That includes a firm commitment to protecting the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Fauquier County. I respect the 2019 Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution passed by our County Board of Supervisors and I remain dedicated to ensuring that responsible gun owners are not unfairly targeted or burdened.
My focus will always be on enforcing laws in a fair, constitutional and common-sense manner prioritizing public safety while safeguarding the rights of our residents. If future proposals or circumstances arise that threaten the lawful exercise of Second Amendment rights, I will continue to stand publicly and professionally for the constitutional protections that all Virginians are entitled to.
We need more of this from elected officials across the state, and that means that gun owners can’t just express their concern by visiting their local gun shop. We should be in contact with our local officials right now. We should be showing up for county supervisors’ meetings to push for a renewed Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution or ordinance. We need to get sheriffs and prosecutors to state on the record that they oppose any and all efforts to infringe on our right to keep and bear arms.
We may not have specific language to point to yet, but we know the threats are coming and the time to act is now. By all means, go out and purchase as many modern sporting rifles and 20-round magazines as you can afford, but get politically active as well.
Editor’s Note: President Trump and Republicans across the country are doing everything they can to protect our Second Amendment rights and right to self-defense.
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