Virginia lawmen draw a hard line
Virginia is turning into a real test case for the Second Amendment, and the local lawmen involved are not blinking. As the state’s new ban on so-called assault weapons moves toward a July 1 start date, several commonwealth’s attorneys and sheriffs are saying they will not help enforce it. That includes Spotsylvania County Commonwealth’s Attorney Ryan Mehaffey, who told the county sheriff the law is unconstitutional and cannot be lawfully enforced. He said historical tradition and case law support the right of Virginians to arm themselves for common defense. In plain English, he is saying the Constitution still matters, even when politicians pretend it is just a decorative wall hanging.
More counties join the pushback
Mehaffey is not standing alone. The commonwealth’s attorneys in Smyth and Powhatan counties have also said they will not enforce the ban, and Pulaski County Commonwealth’s Attorney Justin Griffith said enforcement decisions belong to each locality. He made it clear he will not suddenly turn law-abiding citizens into criminals on July 1 for doing the same thing that was legal on June 30. That is the kind of common sense you do not hear much from Richmond these days. The new law blocks Virginians from buying, selling, or transferring AR-15s, and local officials opposing it say their duty is to the Constitution first, not to a political agenda cooked up by party bosses and rubber-stamped by the governor.
Sheriffs say they swore an oath, not a slogan
The rebellion is not limited to prosecutors. Amherst County Sheriff Jimmy Ayers said citizens have the right to bear arms as long as they are qualified individuals, and Campbell County Sheriff Whit Clark called the law an infringement on law-abiding gun owners. Clark went further and said it is nothing more than a gun grab, which is exactly what many Virginians think it is. He also reminded everyone that he has sworn on the Bible to protect and uphold the Constitution of the United States, and he intends to do just that. Democrats are acting shocked that constitutional officers might actually follow the Constitution. That is rich, especially coming from the same crowd that usually treats the law like a choose-your-own-adventure book.
This just into my inbox from Pulaski County commonwealth’s attorney: pic.twitter.com/HOkj4gOAgL
— Avery Davis (@AveryRDaviss) May 26, 2026
This is a gross neglect of duties and responsibilities by any commonwealth attorney. You don’t get to pick and choose which law you will enforce. Please do your jobs. https://t.co/QLkDuGmzxV
— Michael Jones (@thedrmikejones) May 26, 2026
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS! PLEASE COMMENT BELOW.
JIMMY
Find more articles like this at steadfastandloyal.com.