Opinion

Richmond, VA –-(Ammoland.com)- Democrats in the Commonwealth of Virginia are threatening communities that declare themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries.

On Wednesday, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said that localities could face “consequences” if law enforcement officers don't enforce the new proposed gun laws.

“There's not going to be retaliation. That's not what I'm about. I'm about making Virginia safer,” Northam told reporters. “If we have constitutional laws on the books and law enforcement officers are not enforcing those laws on the books, then there are going to be consequences, but I'll cross that bridge if and when we get to it.”

Since the November election, Democrats have been proposing sweeping new gun control legislation. The Democrats, backed by Bloomberg money, took control of the Virginia legislature. Most of the state remains pro-gun.

Over 80 counties that have been feeling the threat of the proposed gun control bills have declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries. These counties have stated that they will not enforce laws that infringe on their citizen's right to bear arms.

The overwhelming Second Amendment Sanctuary movement has shocked and angered Democrats in the Virginia Commonwealth because of the supporter's belief in the sanctity of our Bill of Rights and the real nature and size of this organic grassroots movement by everyday citizens.

Congressman Gerry Connolly went even further than Gov. Northam. He pushed for prosecution of police officers that refuse to enforce the proposed unconstitutional laws.

“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,” Connolly told the Washington Examiner. “The law is the law. If that becomes the law, you don't have a choice, not if you're a sworn officer of the law.”

Democratic Virginia Rep. Donald McEachin proposed cutting off state funds to counties that pass Second Amendment sanctuary ordinance. He wants to do what is tantamount to blackmail to force these localities to enforce gun laws that violate their citizen's rights.

“They certainly risk funding, because if the sheriff's department is not going to enforce the law, they're going to lose money. The counties' attorneys’ offices are not going to have the money to prosecute because their prosecutions are going to go down,” McEachin said.

McEachin said that the Governor could call in the National Guard to enforce the new gun laws. He would turn Virginia into a police state to satisfy the anti-gun lobby's thirst for gun-control.

“And ultimately, I'm not the governor, but the governor may have to nationalize the National Guard to enforce the law,” McEachin said. “That's his call, because I don't know how serious these counties are and how severe the violations of law will be. But that's obviously an option he has.”

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring doubled down on enforcing the new gun-control measures. He played off counties passing Second Amendment sanctuary ordinances as a stunt by gun-rights groups. He implied that what these counties do is inconsequential and will have no bearing on the enforcement of new state gun laws.

“So, when Virginia passes these gun safety laws that they will be followed, they will be enforced,” Herring said.

Groups like Gun Owners of America think that these Democrats are hypocrites. They point to the Governor's support of immigration sanctuaries. GOA Executive Vice President Erich Pratt thinks Northam is acting more like a dictator than a governor.

“Gun-grabbing Democrats like Gov. ‘Blackface' Northam crow about how gun owners need to follow the law. But it is Northam and his minions who violate the ‘Rule of Law' every day,” Pratt told AmmoLand. “Consider Northam’s support for bogus laws that would imprison Virginians for simply possessing common firearms that are still legal to own and possess in all 50 states. He is running roughshod over the rights protected in the Constitution.” “And he despises the fact that county supervisors and sheriffs would be so impertinent as to declare their counties as Second Amendment sanctuaries. Meanwhile, he has vetoed legislation to dismantle immigration sanctuaries, thus protecting people who have broken the law to enter the country.” “Northam can’t have it both ways. He’s either for sanctuary counties or he’s against them.” “Is the Governor going to follow Rep. Gerry Connolly’s suggestion to arrest local sheriffs who don’t want to assist Northam in stealing private firearms without compensation and in violation of the Fifth Amendment? Or is he going to pursue Rep. Donald McEachin’s proposal to activate the National Guard to assist his ‘legal' theft of firearms from local citizens?” “Governor Northam’s declaration of war against gun owners is really an attack upon the God-given rights of law-abiding Virginians and upon the state and federal Constitution that he swore to uphold.” “Gun Owners of America has been mobilizing its activists to urge their supervisors and sheriffs to resist the Governor’s dictatorial actions. And we do not relent until the despotic threat from Richmond has abated.”

A showdown is brewing in Virginia. It could shape not only the future of gun rights in the commonwealth but the future of gun rights nationwide. The citizens of Virginia are standing up to what they see as tyrannical moves by the Democrat controlled state government.

These citizens encourage law enforcement officials to uphold their oath to defend the constitution of the United States and of Virginia.

About John Crump

John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. He is the former CEO of Veritas Firearms, LLC and is the co-host of The Patriot News Podcast which can be found at www.blogtalkradio.com/patriotnews. John has written extensively on the patriot movement including 3%'ers, Oath Keepers, and Militias. In addition to the Patriot movement, John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and is currently working on a book on leftist deplatforming methods and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, on Facebook at realjohncrump, or at www.crumpy.com.