The Shadow
WARM SPRINGS — Bath County has joined a growing list of rural Virginia localities to declare itself a Second Amendment sanctuary.
Before an overflow crowd in the second floor courtroom of the Bath County Courthouse Tuesday night, the Bath County Board of Supervisors reaffirmed gun rights of law-abiding citizens.
Supervisors are concerned that legislation being proposed before the 2020 session of the Virginia General Assembly could infringe upon rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and the Constitution of Virginia.
Bath County urges the General Assembly, Congress and other state and federal agencies not to adopt, accept or enact any provision, law or regulation that might infringe on the rights of law-abiding citizens to bear arms.
“I’d like to thank all the citizens for showing up tonight and voicing concerns about what’s going on in Richmond,” said Del. Ronnie Campbell (R-24th), whose district includes Bath and Rockbridge counties, portions of Amherst and Augusta counties and the cities of Lexington and Buena Vista.
“If this stuff gets passed, just be careful with what you’re doing with your guns. It covers so many types of guns that it is ridiculous. I’m concerned more about the people in my 24th District getting into trouble and becoming felons when they are law-abiding citizens,” Del. Campbell added.
Campbell told supervisors that Second Amendment resolutions passed across the state serve as “political statements.”
He urged his constituents to re-elect President Donald Trump in 2020. He also said Republicans need to retake state offices in 2021 by electing a Republican governor and regaining control over the Senate and House of Delegates.
“I want to thank you for considering this resolution,” Del. Campbell told supervisors. “I would encourage you to pass it.”
Campbell said actions at the local level were already “causing problems in Richmond.”
“They’re starting to buckle a little bit,” he said. “We need to keep the pressure on them.”
Supervisors entertained comments from approximately 20 speakers before considering adoption of the resolution. An overwhelming majority of those who spoke voiced their support of the resolution. Two speakers asked the board to proceed carefully before considering adoption.
“This board appreciates your comments,” Chairman Richard Byrd said.
The resolution directs County Administrator Ashton Harrison to forward copies of the resolution to Gov. Ralph Northam along with Bath County’s representatives in the General Assembly and Congress.
“It’s exactly what our Constitution states: We don’t want anyone in any way infringing on our gun rights,” said Supervisor Stuart Hall. “Just remember, what’s going on in Washington, D.C., is just a taste of what’s going on in Richmond.
“Our governor hadn’t even waited until the ink got dry on the ballots until they started shooting these laws out that change our gun rights,” Hall added.
“Don’t let it happen. Know who you are marking on that ballot.”
Prior to the vote, Supervisor Eddy Hicklin questioned why supervisors were voting on the Second Amendment issue when it tabled a vote last month because of the board’s “lame-duck” status. He also said that he hoped that the Second Amendment issue would not affect the county’s tourism industry.
“We got an email today from a guy in Botetourt County saying he’d stayed here a couple of weeks ago, and he may not come back if we don’t pass it,” Hicklin said.
A show of hands requested by Supervisor Bart Perdue showed near unanimous support for the resolution by those in attendance.
Perdue’s motion to adopt the resolution was then approved by a roll-call vote of 5-0.
The vote was greeted by a standing ovation from the audience.
In other business Tuesday evening, supervisors accepted the county’s audit report for fiscal year 2019.
The accounting firm of Robertson, Farmer, Cox Associates gave the county an “unmodified opinion” in its report for 2019.
“That is a clean opinion,” explained Saidee Gibson, CPA, with Robertson, Farmer, Cox. “It’s the highest and best opinion that the accounting profession offers.
“It means that we feel the financial statements that you all have are materially correct, and they are presented in confirmity with generally accepted accounting principles,” she said.
Finally Tuesday, outgoing members of the board of supervisors were recognized for their service.
The terms of Stuart Hall (40 years), Richard Byrd (24 years) and Bart Perdue (seven years) conclude on Dec. 31.
