Virginia Sheriff vows to deputize residents in response to potential gun restrictions

The Culpeper Board of Supervisors Tuesday discussed an adopted resolution declaring the locality a Second Amendment Constitutional County.

The Board unanimously passed the resolution, joining a growing number of localities in response to expected gun control legislation in the now Democratic-controlled Virginia General Assembly.

At the meeting, the local sheriff vowed to deputize scores of residents, if necessary, to push back on potential state-imposed gun restrictions. "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," Sheriff Scott Jenkins wrote in a Facebook post.

"Every Sheriff and Commonwealth Attorney in Virginia will see the consequences if our General Assembly passes further...
Posted by Culpeper County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, December 4, 2019

"My office will always encourage and support our citizens in firearms training, concealed carry permits, and the ability to defend themselves and their families," he continued. "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."

Many localities in WDBJ7’s viewing area are also passing resolutions in regards to the movement.

Some have adopted resolutions to become Second Amendment Sanctuaries, others are still planning to discuss the topic in the future.

This is a look, as of December 5, at the decisions that have been made and the discussions planned for the future.

Alleghany County: Adopted a resolution on Dec. 3

Amherst County: Adopted a resolution on Dec. 3

Appomattox County: Adopted a resolution on Nov. 18

Bath County: Scheduled to discuss Dec. 10

Bedford County: Scheduled to discuss Dec. 9

Bland County: Adopted a resolution on Nov. 26

Botetourt County: Scheduled to discuss Dec. 9

Campbell County: Adopted a resolution Nov. 7

Carroll County: Adopted a resolution May 13

Craig County: Adopted a resolution Dec. 5

Charlotte County: Adopted a resolution Nov. 13

Floyd County: Scheduled to discuss Dec. 10

Franklin County: Scheduled to discuss Dec. 17

Giles County: Adopted a resolution Nov. 21

Grayson County: Scheduled to discuss Dec. 12

Halifax County: Adopted a resolution Dec. 2

Henry County: Adopted a resolution Nov. 26

Highland County: No scheduled plans to discuss

Montgomery County: Scheduled to discuss Dec. 16

Nelson County Scheduled to discuss Dec. 10

Pittsylvania County: Adopted a resolution Nov. 19

Pulaski County: Scheduled to discuss Dec. 16

Roanoke: Issue dropped Dec. 2

Roanoke County: Adopted a resolution Dec. 3

Rockbridge County: Scheduled to discuss Dec. 9

Wythe County: Adopted a resolution Nov. 26

Experts explain the Second Amendment Sanctuaries are symbolic and are a way for communities to make a political statement following the newly elected Democratic majority in the General Assembly.