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Public commenters press council on Second Amendment sanctuary language, federal force allegations and Bill of Rights protections
Summary
Public comment speakers urged council to broaden proposed Second Amendment sanctuary language to defend the whole Constitution, criticized federal law-enforcement actions in a high-profile shooting, advocated unobscured faces for armed citizens, and disputed council statements about past public support for gun-related resolutions.
Several public-comment speakers used the Jan. 29 Lynchburg City Council meeting to press elected officials on constitutional protections and to challenge prior council statements about community sentiment.
Pat O'Hara, cochair of Indivisible Lynchburg (Ward 4), thanked a councilmember for acknowledging a local peaceful demonstration and described a recent, fatal law-enforcement encounter involving Alex Preddy. O'Hara urged council to expand any Second Amendment sanctuary resolution to affirm the full U.S. Constitution, saying, "Instead of reaffirming our defense of just the Second Amendment, why not expand that to all 27?" (paraphrased from remarks urging broader constitutional protection). O'Hara alleged federal agents used excessive force; that allegation was reported during public comment and was not adjudicated in the meeting.
Marla Eby, pastor at the Lynchburg Church of the Brethren, said she supports individual rights but asked the council to consider a rule that people who carry firearms in the city do not obscure their faces, arguing that visible faces aid communication and de-escalation. She also urged the council to be mindful of the protections in the Bill of Rights.
Jeff Rosner, a Lynchburg resident, challenged council statements that prior hearings showed "almost unanimous" support for Second Amendment resolutions and said the January 2023 resolution passed in a work session without public comment; he told the council he had been present at the 2020 hearing and that many speakers opposed the resolution. Rosner said he had reviewed the General Assembly bills listed in the proposed resolution and found they would not prohibit legitimate firearm uses such as self-defense and hunting.
Council members listened and did not take policy action on gun measures at this meeting; several members referenced the public comments during debate on a separate agenda item concerning a proposed resolution about constitutional protections and redistricting.
The meeting record contains allegations about federal law-enforcement conduct and assertions about prior public sentiment; those claims were made by public commenters and were not verified or resolved at the meeting.
