Understanding how small of a geographical area we are talking about, as well as that are a lot of steps before this possibly would even be necessary. Does this scare you? Should it scare you?



"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."


"With 34 of their counties already declared 2nd Amendment sanctuaries, Texans are closely watching Virginia, where Tazewell County supervisors voted unanimously last week to organize an active militia – a measure they believe is necessary to protect 2nd Amendment rights.

Nearly 350 U.S. counties have declared themselves 2nd Amendment sanctuaries. Up to now, however, they were generally regarded as symbolic resolutions by local governments to preserve what they consider their Second Amendment rights.

Tazewell County, however, is the first 2nd Amendment sanctuary to militarize its residents.

Anderson County resident Matt Kuhl told the Herald-Press the mere notion of armed 2nd Amendment militias sets a dangerous precedent.

“Sanctuary counties are already a slippery slope,” Kuhl said. “They invite citizens and county officials to stand in opposition to potential state and federal laws not limited to firearms.”

Kuhl, 39, a gun-owner, said sanctuary counties backed by armed militias would also undermine both local and inter-state travel and commerce.

Anderson County commissioners have not even debated becoming a 2nd Amendment sanctuary. County Judge Robert Johnston told the Herald-Press Monday he sees no reason for the county to become one.

“This is East Texas,” he said. “No one has any question as to how we feel about the 2nd Amendment.”

The federal court will settle the legality of 2nd Amendment sanctuary counties, Johnston said. Meantime, Texans should pay attention.

“We should be watching Virginia, and everywhere else,” Johnston said. “We should always be aware of what's going on in our country.”

A militia is an armed para-military force formed by civilians. Such armed civilian groups often have been linked to far-right social and political movements, such as the Posse Comitatus.

Under the Virginia state constitution, counties have the authority to order a militia. By ordering every legal gun-owner in the county to become part of an active militia, similar to a conscription, county leaders said they can determine who owns a firearm, as well as what kinds of firearms militia members may possess.

Virginia leads the nation in 2nd Amendment sanctuaries, with 80 percent of its counties declared.

Sharon Davis, chairperson of the Anderson County Democratic Party, called the Tazewell militia a “stupid” idea and cautionary tale.

“It's a knee-jerk reaction,” she said. “It's a reaction, not a response. It fans political flames unnecessarily. Both sides need to learn how to have reasonable discussions.”

Davis, 71, said her father was a game warden; she grew up around guns. She now owns several guns; she and her husband are both licensed to carry a firearm.

“I've never feared my guns would be taken away,” she said. “Democrats own guns, too. Perhaps we should start teaching more critical thinking, reasoning, and social skills in the classroom.”

The Sheriff's Association of Texas Executive Director Steve Westbrook told the Herald-Press that sanctuary counties are constitutionally valid. How they operate is strictly the purview of an elected sheriff.

“It is every sheriff's duty to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the 2nd Amendment included,” he said."

already being discussed...

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