U.S.A. -(AmmoLand.com)- A new Virginia proposal is closer to receiving the governor’s signature and making it loud and clear: assaulting a law enforcement officer is now more acceptable to legislators in the Commonwealth. The bill, which downgrades the penalty for assaulting a police officer in some cases from a felony to a misdemeanor, passed the Democratic-controlled state senate by a vote of 21-15 and is supported by Democratic Governor Ralph Northam.
This new proposal is the latest development in the Commonwealth, where the legislature is also considering “defund the police” proposals, in addition to passing stringent gun control measures on Virginians earlier this year.
First, More Gun Control
Existing gun owners in Virginia, as well as those wishing to exercise their Second Amendment right for the first time, have already faced severe infringements on their right to keep and bear arms by Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam. The governor and the Democratic-controlled Virginia Assembly and Senate, with the help of billionaire and failed Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg, passed and signed into law several gun control bills during the 2020 legislative session that would turn unsuspecting and law-abiding Virginians into criminals. During this time, Virginians already faced unrest and uncertainty due to the initial worries from the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Law enforcement was stretched thin. Virginia criminals were even released from jails, many of whom turned back to commit violent crimes right away.
These concerns were legitimate and felt across the country and as a result thousands of Virginians, and millions of Americans decided to purchase firearms to take their safety into their own hands. But that didn’t stop Gov. Northam and the Virginia legislature from closing down gun stores and shooting ranges, limiting the Second Amendment options of Virginians. That the governor was rebuffed by the courts for his overreach didn’t matter as gun control supporters pushed forward.
Next up, Riots and Looting
In recent months, Americans have witnessed rioting, violence and looting erupt as calls to “defund the police” have echoed across the country. If Virginians weren’t already concerned about their safety or the ability of law enforcement to safeguard their communities, they needn’t look any further than the words of Virginia House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn.
Speaking of the legislature’s remaining 2020 priorities, Filler-Corn stated in June, “We must reimagine the role of policing in our commonwealth and recommend changes in the budget that divest resources from policing.”
The Virginia governor and legislature have now enacted laws to limit Virginians’ ability to exercise their Second Amendment rights, while at the same time voicing their desire to “divest resources from policing” in Virginia communities. We know the Virginia General Assembly will be back at it during the 2021 legislative session working to erode even more rights of law-abiding gun owners, including eyeing a ban on so-called “assault weapons,” “large-capacity” magazines, suppressors, and more.
“What in the World Are We Doing?”
The passage of Virginia Senate Bill 5032 now escalates the concerns of Virginians already worried about public safety and the rise of violence perpetrated against law enforcement officers across the country. Republican State Senator John Cosgrove, Jr., criticized the bill and admonished his Democratic colleagues for passing the proposal, stating “What in the world are we doing? Have you seen the attacks on police officers?”
The proposal heads to the Virginia House now, where Democrats hold a 55-45 advantage. The prospects of the bill passing are good and would then head to Gov. Northam’s desk for his signature.
Americans have voiced their concerns for their own safety by exercising their Second Amendment right to purchase a firearm. In fact, nearly 5 million have done so for the first time so far in 2020. As the 2020 elections draw near and communities face more calls by citizens to protect their right to keep and bear arms, or for more gun control limiting that right and to further “defund the police,” Americans should utilize NSSF’s #GUNVOTE campaign so they don’t risk their rights at the ballot box in November.
About The National Shooting Sports Foundation
NSSF is the trade association for the firearm industry. Its mission is to promote, protect and preserve hunting and the shooting sports. Formed in 1961, NSSF has a membership of thousands of manufacturers, distributors, firearm retailers, shooting ranges, sportsmen’s organizations, and publishers nationwide. For more information, visit nssf.org
If assaulting a cop is only a misdemeanor, then assaulting an elected official shouldn’t even be a ticketable offense…
You need a revolution in that state
10-4
Assaulting an elected official? I can think of something better.
YES
In the latest numbers 32 officers have been killed (shot) in the line of duty nationwide in 2020, In 2019 53 officers were killed (shot) in the line of duty. In 2018, 2 were beaten to death and 53 were killed(shot). What each person needs to do is ask your State and Federal Congressmen and Senator how they would react if it were politicians that were dying at this rate for simply doing their job. I’m sure the responses will be priceless.
They would say Oh well we have tax paying dollars paying for our security protection and that of our families. You Peons must fend for yourselves but if you hurt one of our terrorists we will put you away…far away. Democrats got to give them credit for being vile nasty and cunning POS’s!
Are these legislators all dropping acid?
They are supposed to have the best interest of the citizens in mind by using caution and thought when making laws.
They were paid by Bloomfield and Soros that is why they are doing this. So they are saying by lowering the charges for those who attack police they and their family when attacked wont be able to press charges because they passed laws saying its okay to be attacked. What buffoons
They have the best interest of the PARTY in mind. Remember what is important these days….
They don’t give a crap about us “peons”
What about unequal risk levels? We’re gonna send people out to actively engage with known and unknown criminals, a whole wide range of volatility and danger, and we’re just gonna sit back at home and Monday morning quarterback the shitshow they deal with? Every. Single. Day.
Misdemeanors my azz.
we need more senators, state and federal, to speak up like Sen. Cosgrove.
we know what a RINO is maybe we can cultivate DINO s.
More police officers have been killed by COVID-19 thanks to trumprards and their poor critical thinking skills.
Care to explain your bigoted and ignorant statement? In the real world, where the rest of of exist, not just you, we have seen videos of Leftists destroying private and public property, arson, looting, rioting, attacks on police officers (of all races), and innocent people being shot, killed, pulled out of vehicles and severely beaten. What has any of that to do with Trump and those that support him or COVID-19? Trump has demanded that the Leftist mayors and governors protect the citizens of those areas, that has only fell on deaf ears. Ironically, recently the mayor of Portland was… Read more »
“Care to explain your bigoted and ignorant statement?”
Sorry, that one got away from me.
I think you can find the answer to your question right there in your question.
That you project of your inadequacies onto those you hate. Yes, it was quite clear to me, glad to see that you have now admitted it.
Bull$#!t. Biden butt kisser with no thinking skills. 0, zilch!
alpha. I know that you believe all of the reports of police ,especially white ones, shooting the poor black folks at random. Do you ever think about why the police were called out to begin with??? Criminal activity is why, the police don’t just go around shooting people for no reason. Reason, Reason that’s the word. find out about the reason why they are called out by their own wives, mothers and brothers and use reason to examine the facts before you accept the antifa anarchist drivel. You are too easily led by the new age journalists. Open your own… Read more »