© 2024
Virginia's Public Radio
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Virginia Attorney General: 2nd Amendment Sanctuary resolutions "have no legal effect"

Virginia's Attorney General issued an advisory opinion Friday, saying 2nd Amendment Sanctuary resolutions passed by dozens of local governments "have no legal effect."

In the opinion Mark Herring wrote that "local governments and local constitutional officers cannot nullify state laws and must comply with gun violence prevention measures that the General Assembly may enact." 

Click here to read the full opinion

Norfolk Delegate Jerrauld Jones requested the opinion from Herring, as dozens of cities, towns and counties across the state adopted such resolutions. 

Democrats, who now control the General Assembly, promised to pass gun control measures - like requiring background checks for gun purchases, and a ban on assault-style rifles.   Some residents believe that such legislation goes beyond Constitutional bounds.  They asked their local governments to adopt resolutions that they hope will send a message to lawmakers.

This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.

Mallory Noe-Payne is a Radio IQ reporter based in Richmond.
David Seidel is Radio IQ's News Director.
Related Content