Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Criminal Justice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident asks county to urge Commonwealth Attorney not to prosecute new Virginia gun restrictions
Summary
At the board meeting, James Evans of Concord asked the county to request that Commonwealth Attorney Paul McAndrews refrain from prosecuting violations of new state gun restrictions effective July 1, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen decision and examples of other prosecutors' discretion.
During public comment, James Evans of 501 Westview Circle in Concord asked the board to request Commonwealth Attorney Paul McAndrews to issue guidance to local law enforcement declining prosecution of certain new state firearms restrictions effective July 1. Evans argued the laws conflict with the U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen decision and the Virginia Constitution and cited at least 10 counties whose commonwealth attorneys had publicly declined prosecutions for particular measures as an example of prosecutorial discretion.
Evans told the board: "It is our duty to focus on real threats to public safety and not turn gun owners into criminals overnight," and urged the board to seek a letter from the county's commonwealth attorney indicating a non-prosecution position. Board members discussed preparing a letter to the commonwealth attorney later in the meeting and ultimately approved sending a letter requesting his position.
