by Bronson Winning

Democrats in Richmond have advanced legislation that would eliminate the Second Amendment’s very essence. They did so without any restraint and with no regard for the Constitution.

In March, the majority Democratic-controlled legislature sent SB 750, and HB 217, to Gov. Abigail Spanberger, a long-time ally in the anti-firearms movement. These measures would restrict magazine capacity and ban some commonly-owned firearms. Democrats continue to refer to the bills as “safety measure,” but they are in direct conflict with the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen ruling at the United States Supreme Court, which affirmed that every individual has the right to carry a gun for self-defense.

The Supreme Court’s landmark ruling affirms that all laws regulating firearms must be firmly grounded in the history of firearm regulation.

Virginia Republicans warn that the bill will invite expensive legal challenges. They point to recent Bruen decisions in lower courts, which have invalidated gun restrictions inconsistent constitutional protections.

stated that “the government didn’t give me the rights to defend myself, my family, or my freedom.” Tom Garrett, R Buckingham. “[The government] can’t take it away no matter how hard they try.”

On March 14, hundreds of Second Amendment Virginians gathered in the state capital to protest against the legislation.

What Virginians can expect

SB 749, HB 217 and other bills directly attack the Second Amendment. Virginians are left with fewer options for self-defense.

The bills are aimed at a wide range of firearms commonly owned, such as many semi-automatic shotguns, rifles and pistols that are widely used in self-defense and sport shooting.

Democrats continue to portray the legislation as moderate, pointing out the grandfather clause that applies to Virginians with “assault weapon” or magazines that hold more than 15 cartridges.

This is not true.

The grandfather clause prohibits the future sale and transfer of firearms, meaning that owners are not allowed to sell, give, or pass on their firearms. Owners retain possession but lose their fundamental rights to property.

Leaving Virginians defenseless

Democrats have been ignoring the data for years that shows gun control leads to increased crime.

It’s almost as if the increase in violent crimes is not a concern.

The foundation of “gun violence prevention” is based on blaming the gun, not the individual. The truth can’t be hidden forever.

In a study conducted by the FBI in 2019, only 7 percent firearm crimes involved guns legally purchased. The FBI found that half of the offenders stole their firearms, while 43 percent purchased them from black-market or underground vendors.

Colorado Democrats passed many “gun violence prevention” laws, claiming that they would reduce crime. But the plan failed. Colorado is now the second-most dangerous state in America. It has the most bank robberies and car thefts.

Virginia can’t afford to have more crime. Virginia cannot afford more crime.

These bills will not only likely increase crime but will also take away a vital safeguard that Virginians have to protect themselves from such an increase of violent crime.

New data from the Crime Prevention Research Center reveals that 36% of active shooters can be stopped by law-abiding gun owners. If shootings in “gun-free zones” are excluded from the data, then 52 percent of active-shooters are stopped by gun-owning law-abiding citizens.

What is rare, however, are citizens who stop these attacks. stated that the rarest thing is not that citizens stopped these attacks, but rather it was the national media covering them.

Moving Forward

Democratic lawmakers treat gun regulation like a religion, pushing radical gun control measures which directly attack the Second Amendment. They are almost cultishly dedicated to disarming law abiding Virginians, while doing nothing to prevent criminals who ignore the law.

The Bruen ruling by the Supreme Court established a clear standard constitutionally for gun regulations. Yet Democrats continue to push laws that blatantly go beyond those limits. The bills on Gov. Spanberger is expected to sign the bills, leaving Virginians with a long and expensive legal battle.

The Democrats don’t respect the Second Amendment. Virginians should remain vigilant while the inevitable legal challenges against these new, burdensome laws make their way through the courts. They should also remember to vote for the candidates who share their values whenever a Democrat anti-gun candidate is up for reelection.

Bronson Winslow, an investigative researcher for Restoration News, specializes in gun rights policy and criminal justice. This column was republished by Restoration News with their permission.