Floyd County reaffirmed as 2A Sanctuary by Board of Supervisors, Sheriff

Last month, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors reaffirmed a 2019 resolution that explicitly relays its support for citizens's rights to keep and bear arms and states its intention to continue standing as a Second Amendment Sanctuary. Sheriff Brian Craig also issued a statement of reaffirmation to protect Floyd County's Second Amendment rights.

The Board of Supervisors' 2A Sanctuary resolution, originally approved in December 2019, was reaffirmed during the Board's regular meeting on Feb. 24. Chairman Joe Turman (Burks Fork) added the matter to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting and said a lot of people have been reaching out to him about it.

Vice Chairman of the Board and Courthouse District Supervisor Jerry Boothe said the public should not assume that the resolution "protects" citizens from the "ATF, the SWAT team of the Virginia State Police, or any agency." He said the county being a 2A Sanctuary "does not prevent (other agencies) from coming in."

"This is saying that this Board supports the Second Amendment of the Constitution," Boothe said.

The resolution was approved by consensus with Boothe, Turman, Levi Cox, and Walter Phillips voting to reaffirm. Little River Supervisor Linda DeVito Kuchenbuch left the meeting in a planned departure before the vote was held. In 2019, she voted to approve the resolution.

The resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors is concerned about the passage of any law containing language which could be interpreted as infringing upon the rights of the citizens of Floyd County to keep and bear arms; and,

WHEREAS, in addition to the individual rights to keep and bear arms as enshrined in the United States and Virginia Constitutions, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors is mindful of the deep cultural and historic roots of hunting within the Commonwealth and the County of Floyd, which precede the founding of the United States, as well as the many conservation and wildlife management benefits to be derived from responsible game management through hunting; and

WHEREAS, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors wishes to express its deep commitment to the right of all law-abiding citizens of Floyd County to keep and bear arms as constitutionally protected; and,

WHEREAS, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors wishes to express opposition to and to discourage the enactment of any law that would unconstitutionally restrict the rights of the citizens of Floyd County to keep and bear arms; and

WHEREAS, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors is aware of Virginia Code §15.2-915, and recognizes the limitations on localities contained therein, and wishes to express its intent that this

WHEREAS, the Floyd County Board of Supervisors wishes to express its intent to stand as a Sanctuary County for the Second Amendment rights and to oppose, within the limits of the Constitution of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia, any efforts to unconstitutionally restrict such rights, and to such reasonable and legal means as the Floyd County Board of Supervisors may hereafter approve to protect the rights of the citizens of Floyd County to keep and bear arms.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Floyd County Virginia: That The Floyd County Board of Supervisors hereby declares Floyd County, Virginia, as a "Second Amendment Sanctuary" for the purposes described above; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Floyd County Board of Supervisors hereby expresses its intent to uphold the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Floyd County, Virginia; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Floyd County Board of Supervisors hereby expresses its intent that public funds are not used to unconstitutionally restrict the Second Amendment rights of the citizens of Floyd County, or to aid federal or state agencies in the unconstitutional restriction of said rights; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Floyd County Board of Supervisors hereby declares its intent to oppose any infringement, within the limitations imposed by law upon local governments, or the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms, using such reasonable and legal means as the Floyd County Board of Supervisors may hereafter approve..."

Floyd County Sheriff Brian Craig issued a statement of reaffirmation regarding the county being 2A Sanctuary on Feb. 25. He said, "I am also proud to support the decision of the Floyd County Board of Supervisors in reaffirming their commitment to our county and to the Second Amendment."

His statement reads:

"I am proud to reaffirm my steadfast support for the Second Amendment. As Sheriff, I have taken an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This is a responsibility I take seriously and carry out with conviction.

"I stand firmly with the responsible, law-abiding gun owners of our community. I will not support any law that infringes upon the constitutional rights guaranteed by the Second Amendment. The right to keep and bear arms is a fundamental liberty, and this office will remain committed to protecting those rights.

"At the same time, I remain fully dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of Floyd County. Protecting constitutional freedoms and safeguarding our community go hand in hand, and I will continue to uphold both with integrity and accountability.