Strasburg Town Council to consider becoming 2nd Amendment sanctuary

Dozens of people filled Strasburg's town hall Monday night to voice their support for the town protecting Second Amendment rights.

The discussion on the table involved the possibility of adopting a resolution for Strasburg to become a 'Second Amendment sanctuary,' as 22 other Virginia counties have done in recent weeks.

"I do believe that it’s important for law abiding citizens to protect themselves and other innocent people," said Seth Newman, who spoke in favor of the resolution.

Strasburg Councilwoman Kim Bishop proposed the idea after hearing from a concerned resident who feared his constitutional rights would be taken away come January, when Democrats will take control of the Virginia statehouse.

Councilmen John Massoud and Ken Cherrix also supported the discussion.

The movement of counties declaring themselves 'Second Amendment sanctuaries' – taking their own spin on 'sanctuary cities,' which vowed not to work with ICE to deport undocumented immigrants – began shortly after the election earlier this month in which Democrats

for the first time in decades.

Following that election, many in counties that voted on conservative lines believe that their constitutional rights may be threatened.

Very few bills have been filed yet for Virginia's 2020 session, with the pre-filing session having just recently begun, but one gun control bill has already been proposed by a Democrat that's created a stir on social media:

, which would make it a Class 1 misdemeanor "to import, sell, barter, or transfer any firearm magazine designed to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition" and expand the definition of "assault firearm" under Virginia law, prohibiting anyone from possessing a gun that meets the new definition of "assault firearm."

To counter possible gun control laws, the concept of becoming a 'Second Amendment sanctuary' means that a county expresses its intent that its public funds not be used to restrict Second Amendment rights.

The resolutions aren't legally binding, but put forth a public stance on behalf of counties' citizens.

The Strasburg Town Council will vote on the resolution at its next meeting, on Dec. 10th.

Page County leaders will discuss becoming a Second Amendment sanctuary at 7 p.m. on Dec. 3.

Augusta County officials will hold a meeting at Stuarts Draft High School at 6 p.m. on Dec. 4.

Rockingham County administrators will discuss the topic at their meeting coming up on Dec. 11 at 6 p.m.