Local leaders in a southwest Virginia county have approved a resolution placing emphasis on citizens' rights to form a militia and disavowing gun control measures expected to pass through the state legislature next year.

The Board of Supervisors in Tazewell County approved on Dec. 3 two resolutions according to local television station WJHL.

The first resolution declared the county a "Second Amendment Sanctuary," mirroring an effort displayed by several other local municipalities fearful of strict gun control measures that could be handed down from the Democratically-controlled state government in Richmond.

That amended says the county would not devote county funds to "any effort that would infringe upon its citizens’ Second Amendment rights."

The second resolution emphasized "the right to a well-funded and regulated militia described in the U.S. Constitution and Commonwealth’s constitution," the TV station reported.

Board supervisors said the resolution would allow the county to intervene in any measure from another form of government that would infringe on county residents' Second Amendment rights, though it is unclear how such a protection would be granted.

Virginia Democrats have said they do not intend to introduce a mandatory gun buyback program and would include a grandfather clause to legislation that would ban certain types of assault weapons.