'There's just no reason'; Some against Lynchburg becoming Second Amendment sanctuary

LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) --Advocates for Lynchburg becoming a 'Second Amendment Sanctuary' will get the opportunity to speak their mind at a Lynchburg City Council public hearing Tuesday night at E.C. Glass High School.

Hundreds are expected to attend the meeting to let their voices be heard.

City Council held a meeting in December, but decided to hold a public hearing this month so everyone who wants to, can voice their opinion. Supporters filled the entire council chamber as well as the overflow room on the second floor.

Curt Diemer created a petition on change.org to urge city council to pass the resolution, saying "our 2nd Amendment rights in Virginia are at stake", he's also been a big driver of getting people to attend the meetings and have discussion with city council members.

"We want Lynchburg to be a sanctuary for the second amendment. A sanctuary for safety and not a sanctuary for criminals. We think that if we're the only locality that does not pass this, then the criminals have an open invitation to come to Lynchburg," he said.

There will also be some people who oppose making Lynchburg a second amendment sanctuary at the meeting.

Paul Boothby, the Minister of First Unitarian Church of Lynchburg, says he wants people to be able to express their opinions on either side, but he doesn't think any rights are being infringed upon.

"We are in no danger of the government trying to take away our guns, although I know there are some folks that are convinced that that is true," he said.

The decision to start declaring localities a 'Second Amendment Sanctuary' comes after Virginia Democrats took control of the General Assembly in the latest election. Governor Ralph Northam said he plans to pass stricter gun laws that include universal background checks, a "red flag" law, and restoring the longstanding "one handgun a month" law.

The resolution is not legally binding, but expresses the locality's intent that its public funds not be used to restrict Second Amendment rights.

Boothby and another Lynchburg citizen, Daniel Tuck, said they feel this is not a matter for Lynchburg City Council.

"I just don't think it's the place for City Council to be weighing in on these constitutional matters," Tuck said. "There's just no reason to become a Second Amendment sanctuary, it's a political movement based on hysteria and has no basis on reality."

More than 100 counties, cities and towns have declared themselves Second Amendment sanctuaries and vowed to oppose any new "unconstitutional restrictions" on guns.

The meeting will be televised on LTV and streamed live on Facebook.

Anyone who wants to address City Council needs to sign up to speak before the beginning of the meting. A signup sheet will be available in the lobby of E.C. Glass High School at 6 p.m. and will stay up until the meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

Those who sign up will need to provide their name and locality of residency and whether they are speaking as an individual or representing a group.

Individuals will be given three minutes to speak and speakers representing a group will be given five minutes.

Diemer said he will be one of the people speaking at the meeting.