The Virginia National Guard issued a response after getting entangled in a debate on the state’s proposed gun control measures.
The response came in the form of a statement released after Democratic lawmakers threatened the state’s law enforcement officials with “consequences” if they refuse to enforce future gun control laws, warning that the National Guard could be deployed to ensure compliance.
Sweeping gun control legislation being pushed by Virginia’s Democratic-controlled House of Delegates sparked an uproar as law enforcement officials and legal firearm owners in over 70 counties in the state have banded together, declaring themselves “Second Amendment sanctuaries.”
The new measures, if passed, would include universal background checks, an “assault weapons” ban, and a red flag law. But angry residents and sheriffs have vowed to uphold the Second Amendment in the municipalities regardless of what comes down from the capital of Richmond.
Va Dems threaten police with prosecution if new gun laws not enforced, float National Guard deployment https://t.co/3cjyMUMOBv
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) December 13, 2019
“The law is the law. If that becomes the law, you don’t have a choice, not if you’re a sworn officer of the law,” Virginia Rep. Gerry Connolly said, adding that police would be “prosecuted for failure to fulfill their oath.”
Democratic Virginia Rep. Donald McEachin went further, however.
“And ultimately, I’m not the governor, but the governor may have to nationalize the National Guard to enforce the law,” he said. “That’s his call, because I don’t know how serious these counties are and how severe the violations of law will be. But that’s obviously an option he has.”
“We have received multiple questions regarding proposed legislation for the 2020 General Assembly session and the authority of the Governor of Virginia to employ the Virginia National Guard in a law enforcement role,” Maj. Gen. Timothy Williams, Adjutant General of the Virginia National Guard, said in a statement in response to the comments made by McEachin.
“We understand and respect the passion people feel for the U.S. Constitution and 2nd Amendment rights. We will not speculate about the possible use of the Virginia National Guard,” Williams added.
From the Adjutant General of Virginia: “We have received multiple questions regarding proposed legislation for the 2020 General Assembly session and the authority of the Governor of Virginia to employ the Virginia National Guard in a law enforcement role.
— Va. National Guard (@VaNationalGuard) December 13, 2019
We understand and respect the passion people feel for the U.S. Constitution and 2nd Amendment rights. We will not speculate about the possible use of the Virginia National Guard.
— Va. National Guard (@VaNationalGuard) December 13, 2019
Democrat Gov. Ralph Northam did not mention the National Guard in his comments but said he would “cross that bridge” when he got to it, pending the passage of the proposed legislation.
“There’s not going to be retaliation. That’s not what I’m about. I’m about making Virginia safer,” Northam said. “If we have constitutional laws on the books and law enforcement officers are not enforcing those laws on the books, then there are going to be consequences, but I’ll cross that bridge if and when we get to it.”
Meanwhile, Williams asked for “patience” as lawmakers worked out the proposed legislation and urged members of the Virginia National Guard to “be professional and respectful” in their conversations about the issue.
I expect our Soldiers, Airmen and members of the Virginia Defense Force to be professional and respectful in their discussions about this subject.
— Va. National Guard (@VaNationalGuard) December 13, 2019
As private citizens, our personnel are free to express their opinions to their elected officials, but they should not engage in any political activity while in a uniformed status.
— Va. National Guard (@VaNationalGuard) December 13, 2019
A military law expert speculated on the constitutionality and legal basis for Northam to call upon the Virginia National Guard to enforce gun control laws.
“Until nationalized, it’s a creature of the state. So that’s what leads me to believe that, yes, the governor can activate the National Guard to enforce even a state law,” Georgetown University professor Gary Solis told the Washington Examiner.
National Guard troops have been deployed in history to “enforce the rights of citizens when they were being infringed upon,” legal policy analyst Amy Swearer said.
The statement from the National Guard sparked fresh debate on social media.
I would speculate that the men and women of the @VaNationalGuard would be very unlikely to participate in disarming the very citizen’s, friends, and family they work, live, and socialize with.
— T.A. (@lost_soul28) December 14, 2019
Make no mistake when push comes to shove the national guard will disarm citizens to protect their paychecks so will the cops both organizations have been trained with an us vs them mentality if the government labels citizens enemies of the state that all they will need
— Tommy scott (@Tommysc21651862) December 14, 2019
This is literally what the framers feared. The state coming to disarm the populace is the first step on the road to tyranny, mass murder and destruction of the values we hold dear
— Mr. J #ReleaseTheSnyderCut (@killingjoke32) December 14, 2019
What I expect is that the Officers and Soldiers of the Va. National Guard will refuse orders that violate their oath to protect the Constitution of the United States of America. #KeepYourOath
— Ted O (@TedOiler) December 14, 2019
Also if the National guard takes up arms against the American people then it’s no better. Your oath of Office is to defend the constitution of America foreign and domestic and the Democrats are the enemy not its people who are trying to defend themselves against tyranny
— Ric (@Ric63319574) December 14, 2019
Virgina politicians, are you out of your minds??? Not that I believe Trump will let it happen, but you would spark a civil war in your state if you could actually bring out the military for this
— Jon M (@jmfixitman) December 14, 2019
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- ‘Are we next?!’ Kilmeade breaks down shady FBI actions, concludes Trump justified in his outrage - August 30, 2022
- Grandfather throws down with aggressive kangaroo that attacked his dogs, but who really won? - June 4, 2022
- ‘My name is Dr. Robinson’: Proud abortionist snaps at Chip Roy calling her ‘Miss’ during hearing - May 19, 2022
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
