A Country Divided

 

 

By: David S. Petolicchio

12/10/2019

Gun control and red flag laws have been a prominent issue for constitutionalists for many years but only recently have these concerns been realized. In Virginia, gun owners are bracing for a sweeping round of gun control laws and even authoritarian style confiscations after the democrat party won a majority of seats across the state and have been open about their desire for gun control. While these candidates did win the elections, many voters felt unrepresented as nearly a quarter of the seats were uncontested by any other prominent party. In essence, there was no effort mounted to compete for these various offices across the state and those most interested in gun control were elected through sheer absence of challengers.

Now that the state is under the control of radical gun control advocates, legislation is already being pushed for the following: SB 16, the bill likely to be promoted by the governor proposes the following restrictions:

1. A semi-automatic center-fire rifle that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material with a fixed magazine capacity in excess of 10 rounds;

2. A semi-automatic center-fire rifle that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has one of the following characteristics: (i) a folding or telescoping stock; (ii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the rifle; (iii) a thumbhole stock; (iv) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand; (v) a bayonet mount; (vi) a grenade launcher; (vii) a flare launcher; (viii) a silencer; (ix) a flash suppressor; (x) a muzzle brake; (xi) a muzzle compensator; (xii) a threaded barrel capable of accepting (a) a silencer, (b) a flash suppressor, (c) a muzzle brake, or (d) a muzzle compensator; or (xiii) any characteristic of like kind as enumerated in clauses (i) through (xii);

3. A semi-automatic center-fire pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material with a fixed magazine capacity in excess of 10 rounds;

4. A semi-automatic center-fire pistol that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has one of the following characteristics: (i) a folding or telescoping stock; (ii) a thumbhole stock; (iii) a second handgrip or a protruding grip that can be held by the non-trigger hand; (iv) the capacity to accept a magazine that attaches to the pistol outside of the pistol grip; (v) a shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel and that permits the shooter to hold the pistol with the non-trigger hand without being burned; (vi) a manufactured weight of 50 ounces or more when the pistol is unloaded; (vii) a threaded barrel capable of accepting (a) a silencer, (b) a flash suppressor, (c) a barrel extender, or (d) a forward handgrip; or (viii) any characteristic of like kind as enumerated in clauses (i) through (vii);

5. A shotgun with a revolving cylinder that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material; or

6. A semi-automatic shotgun that expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material that has one of the following characteristics: (i) a folding or telescoping stock, (ii) a thumbhole stock, (iii) a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the shotgun, (iv) the ability to accept a detachable magazine, (v) a fixed magazine capacity in excess of seven rounds, or (vi) any characteristic of like kind as enumerated in clauses (i) through (v).

This unconstitutional and flagrant infringement on the natural right to keep and bear arms has not gone over well with the many conservative cities and counties in Virginia. Petitions to make cities “sanctuary cities” have circulated and at least one town has even formed their own official militia to defend their “gun sanctuary city status”. One sheriff has warned in a Facebook post that he is more than willing to deputize citizens to defend their rights to bear arms and rejected red flag laws.

“Every Sheriff and Commonwealth Attorney in Virginia will see the consequences if our General Assembly passes further unnecessary gun restrictions. “Red Flag” laws without due process will create enormous conflict as well.

America has more guns than citizens and murder has long been illegal. At best, the proposed gun restrictions will disarm or handicap our law-abiding in their defense and possibly cause a criminal to choose another tool for evil.

I’d like to thank our Board of Supervisors for their resolution of support of our citizen’s natural right to self defense as protected by our Constitutions. My office will always encourage and support our citizens in firearms training, concealed carry permits, and the ability to defend themselves and their families.

I remain very optimistic that our General Assembly will not pass the proposed bills. Obviously, if passed, there are many of us willing to challenge these laws through the courts. In addition, if necessary, I plan to properly screen and deputize thousands of our law-abiding citizens to protect their constitutional right to own firearms.”

-Sheriff Scott Jenkins

At the end of the post, Sheriff Scott Jenkins even included a quote regarding militias,

“A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves…and include all men capable of bearing arms.” (1788)

-Richard Henry Lee

America is deeply divided on the right to bear arms and in Virginia, this issue has gotten incredibly serious with local government directly opposing state level confiscation efforts. While it is encouraging to see patriots stand up against unconstitutional laws, it is imperative to note that this could easily lead to another real world standoff between local government and citizens versus state enforcement. Peace is the ideal solution but rights can and MUST be defended.

Pray for Virginia