Letter to the Editor

Reader Takes on Senator Ruff

Dear Editor,

In his “Not a fortune teller” article (Dec 5-11), Senator Ruff performs a disservice to his constituents by failing to mention that there is no proposed legislation to repeal the 2nd Amendment, to take away all firearms, or that mandates law enforcement officers to actively seek and confiscate firearms. He also fails to mention that proposed legislation is for gun safety, not gun confiscation, and includes exemptions to background checks and firearms possession, purchases, sales, and transfers.

Who does not want to protect children from shooting themselves or others because someone left a loaded gun within their reach? Who finds it safe or prudent to allow a person under the age of 18 to use a firearm without adult supervision? Who finds it reasonable or necessary to carry a shotgun loaded with more than seven rounds in a public place or while attending a public event with their family?

Proposed legislation allows owners to transfer their firearms, including antique firearms, to immediate family members without a background check. Firearms may also be transferred by the executor or administrator of an estate or by the trustee of a testamentary trust without a background check. They allow persons under the age of 18 to possess or transport firearms while in their home or on their property; while in the home or on the property of a parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; while accompanied by an adult while at or going to or from a lawful shooting range; and while actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to or from a hunting area or preserve. The purchase limit of one gun in a 30-day period does not apply to persons who hold a valid Virginia concealed handgun permit, whose handgun has been stolen or irretrievably lost or who are trading in a handgun, who purchase handguns in a private sale, and purchase antique firearms.

Reporting lost or stolen firearms must be done within 24 hours after discovering the loss or theft or being informed by a person with personal knowledge of the loss or theft. A person who, in good faith, reports the loss or theft is immune from criminal or civil liability for acts or omissions that result from the loss or theft.

Additionally, SB35 does not “effectively ban firearms”. It “Authorizes any locality by ordinance to prohibit the possession or carrying of firearms, ammunition, or components or any combination thereof in a public space during a permitted event or an event that would otherwise require a permit.”

While he’s proud that county legislators are giving their citizens permission to break the laws they don’t like, Senator Ruff fails to remind them that we are a Dillon Rule state and these 2nd Amendment Sanctuary Resolutions do not hold any legal weight; local governments must obey state laws and cannot enact ordinances without the state’s permission.

Without getting caught up in the absurd, the 2nd Amendment does not guarantee what type of arms the people can keep and bear, and just as there are limitations on the 1st Amendment to protect citizens from harm and character assassination, it is also necessary to enact limitations on the 2nd Amendment to protect the health and safety of citizens.

It is dishonest to purposely disinform and misinform, by utterance or omission, to stoke the flames of fear, and, by condoning these Resolutions, Senator Ruff caters to the fear that is based on speculation and disinformation that has been repeated over the past decade that the Democrats are going to take away all our guns. Rather than encourage the passing of these Resolutions, which are contrary to a civilized society, Senator Ruff should introduce a grandfather clause to exempt current owners and vote in favor of these gun safety laws to protect his constituents.

Trudy Berry

Green Bay, VA

Second Amendment Rights are God-given 

Dear Editor,

Open Letter Supporting Lunenburg’s Second Amendment Sanctuary Resolution

To whom it may concern,

I, Andrew Havens, citizen of these United States for America and of the Commonwealth of Virginia, resident of Lunenburg County, Virginia, do hereby declare my full support for a resolution declaring Lunenburg County a Second Amendment Sanctuary County.

While such action should not be necessary, I contend it is absolutely necessary for the following reasons:

A majority of politicians either currently in public office or slated to be sworn into public office on 8 January 2020 have made it known they fully intend to propose and pass unlawful legislation further restricting the rights of citizens of the commonwealth.

Said rights are God-given, guaranteed by both the Constitution for the United States of America and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. These rights belong to the citizens by birth.

At no time has anyone elected, appointed or otherwise employed by the citizens of this commonwealth or this nation been granted authority to restrict or amend any of our God-given rights.

Such actions constitute usurpation of authority and are therefore treasonous. Treasonous actions such as these are subject to immediate disqualification and removal from any public office and criminal charges filed.

Our constitutions – federal and state – were meant as limiting documents. The intent then and now is to limit what those selected are empowered to do in service to us citizens. In no way shape or manner were they ever intended to grant unlimited power and authority to any group or individual.

The resolution before the Lunenburg Board of Supervisors merely acknowledges our rights as citizens to stand up and claim what is rightfully ours – our birthrights.

I commend the Lunenburg Board of Supervisors for their brave stand against tyrannical politicians determined to run roughshod over our rights as citizens. 

We citizens must also stand with the Board and other citizens in Virginia as well as our nation and demand not only such actions stop but the restoration of our birthright in the liberties intended by Almighty God and guaranteed by the founding documents of our nation and states.

Respectfully submitted,

Andrew M. Havens, Founder

TheLibertyCoalition.org