VIRGINIA, USA — Several cities in the Virginia Commonwealth area voted on Tuesday to be considered a "Second Amendment Sanctuary" region.
The cities that voted to approve their second amendment change of status was Prince William County, Spotsylvania County, and Warren County.
The Warren County Board of Supervisors adopted their status as "sanctuary" and passed a resolution during a hearing.
Spotsylvania County voted on the change of status following a meeting that had 1,070 in attendance. There were 70 speakers -- three to four were in opposition, the remainder were in favor. The vote passed unanimously.
Prince William County officials adopted their version of a resolution to their second amendment status and declared their region a "Constitutional County" rather than a "Second Amendment Sanctuary" on a six to two vote. Officials specified that their resolution was "specific support for law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms."
Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart said many Virginia gun owners became worried when state Democrats began to voice their support to introduce more gun control bills in Richmond. Stewart believes Virginia communities are not breaking the law if they choose to seek sanctuary status.
Second Amendment Sanctuary status would allow the cities to not use their public funds to enforce federal and state laws they believe will curb gun rights.
According to Virginia state officials about 30 counties and cities in Virginia have worked to protect their second amendment rights following the change of state leadership. Among them were Gloucester and Culpeper Counties who voted to approve sanctuary status on Dec. 2.
Stafford County will hold a board meeting on Dec. 17 at the Stafford County Government Center to discuss and declare their status. Officials said they could reach a resolution at the meeting and vote to proceed and pass it.
This movement for regions and cities to declare themselves a "sanctuary" against gun laws comes about a month after the Democrats took control of the Virginia Senate and House in November.
The movement has been fueled, in part, by a group named the Virginia Citizens Defense League [VCDL]. It has encouraged interested Virginians to reach out to their respective board supervisors and send them a link to a model Second Amendment Sanctuary resolution created by VCDL.
