Virginia: Alexandria Taking First Step For Gun Ban Tomorrow

[Charlie T Waite]

Tomorrow, the Alexandria City Council will consider banning firearms in certain public locations. Second Amendment supporters are encouraged to attend this meeting remotely, which will be conducted by video conference starting 6PM, to OPPOSE File 20-0902. Click here for information on how to attend this meeting remotely and make your voice heard.

For decades, Virginia’s strong preemption statute has prohibited localities from passing their own gun control ordinances. This not only prevents a confusing patchwork of laws, but also ensures that Second Amendment rights are equally protected across the whole Commonwealth. Unfortunately, the anti-gun majority in the General Assembly and Governor Ralph Northam eroded those protections by passing Senate Bill 35 into law. With the July 1^st effective date nearing, Alexandria is eagerly preparing its own gun control agenda.

File 20-0902 creates “gun-free zones” where law-abiding citizens are left defenseless while criminals ignore such arbitrary boundaries. It prohibits firearms in public buildings and parks as well as on public streets where certain events are occurring. Violations will be a Class 1 misdemeanor. This meeting is the first of a two-step process. Should File 20-0902 pass tomorrow, it will receive a second hearing for enactment at the June 20^th City Council meeting.

Again, please consider attending the video conference meeting to OPPOSE File 20-0902.