Board debate on Second Amendment resolution includes substitute motion referencing 2019 ‘sanctuary’ designation

The board considered a resolution that would "renew, reaffirm, and declare its steadfast support for the Second Amendment" and restate the county's designation as a Second Amendment "sanctuary"—text that cited the U.S. Constitution, Article I Section 13 of the Virginia Constitution, and the U.S. Supreme Court's Bruen decision (New York State Rifle & Pistol Assn. v. Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022)). Several board members spoke in favor, and one member disclosed experience as an NRA instructor to explain his position.

A substitute motion was proposed to reaffirm the county's earlier 2019 sanctuary resolution rather than adopt the newly drafted text. During the substitute motion the board recorded several ayes and at least one no; the transcript records Mr. Gammon voting no and other members recording aye. The meeting transcript does not include a final, clear statement of adoption of the newly drafted resolution beyond the recorded roll-call on the substitute motion.

Board members framed the debate in constitutional and historical terms, and some speakers emphasized firearm-safety training alongside their support for Second Amendment protections. Because the transcript shows a substitute motion and recorded votes but does not include a clear, final minute entry that restates the fully adopted text, staff will need to confirm final adoption language and whether the board passed the new resolution or reaffirmed the 2019 action.