Council delays vote on new Second Amendment resolution, asks legal review of two drafts
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Summary
Vice mayor and councilors debated two versions of a Second Amendment "sanctuary" resolution: one reaffirms Lynchburg's 2023 stance while the other would broaden language to refuse enforcement of some state actions deemed unconstitutional; council asked staff for a legal review and agreed to return the item to a future agenda.
Councilmembers debated whether to reaffirm Lynchburg's existing Second Amendment sanctuary resolution or adopt a broader version that would direct city funds, personnel or resources not to enforce laws deemed unconstitutional under state or federal constitutions.
Council member Kurt (unnamed) said he wanted to "send a strong message" to the General Assembly about perceived threats to gun rights and offered a draft that updates language to reflect new legislation under consideration in Richmond. Another council member urged caution and offered a narrower reaffirmation of the 2023 resolution that he said would be "legally defensible" and avoid exposing the city to litigation.
One council member asked whether the city manager had authority under the charter to abolish a department, an issue raised earlier in the discussion of emergency services reorganization; council requested a written legal opinion on that question. Council also asked the city attorney to review both drafts of the sanctuary resolution for legal risk and to advise on proper phrasing, then agreed to return the item to a future agenda rather than vote today.
What happens next: staff will send both drafts to legal counsel for review and return the matter to a future meeting with recommended language and legal analysis.
