RESOLUTION OF THE ACCOMACK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

WHEREAS, the Accomack County Board of Supervisors has received significant input from citizens expressing serious concerns about potential gun control legislation that may be enacted by the 2020 General Assembly session This statement is intended to respond to those citizen concerns; and

WHEREAS, the Accomack County Board of Supervisors believes in the rule of law and supports the US Constitution including the Bill of Rights and the Second Amendment. Each member of the Accomack County Board of Supervisors has taken an oath to “support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia”. The Accomack County Board of Supervisors takes their oath of office seriously and actively works to protect all rights guaranteed by both constitutions, including the Second Amendment; and

WHEREAS, the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, § 15.2-1522 provides that every elected County officer, unless otherwise provided by law, on or before the day on which his term of office begins, shall qualify by taking the oath prescribed by § 49-1; and

WHEREAS, the Board has no legislative, regulatory, or enforcement authority related to “the purchase, possession, transfer, ownership, carrying, storage or transporting of firearms, ammunition, or components or combination thereof,” as provided by Section 15.2-915 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, and has no authority over the independent execution of the duties of the constitutional officers involved in law enforcement;

WHEREAS, the Accomack County Board of Supervisors writes laws for the county to the extent authority has been specifically granted by the General Assembly. We have limited authority to pass laws, but we will fully use our authority to protect and defend the rights of our citizens.

WHEREAS, this resolution affirms our support for the Second Amendment and sends a clear message to our legislators and all elected officials that we respect our citizens’ rights under the Second Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF ACCOMACK, VIRGINIA THAT:

As a body collective, the Board hereby affirms the Oath of Office pursuant to the Code of Virginia (1950), as amended, § 49-1 committing to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and to faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon the Board to the best of its ability, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board recognizes that the Second Amendment of the United States Constitution states in part that “the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed”; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board, recognizing that certain legislative initiatives are expected to be introduced in the 2020 General Assembly, requests that as part of our legislative agenda, our State Delegate and State Senator diligently review and oppose any such legislation that may unconstitutionally restrict the 2nd Amendment rights of our county’s citizens, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board directs its staff to forward a copy of this resolution to the County’s elected representatives in the Virginia General Assembly.