Hundreds attend Hampton council meeting to weigh in on Second Amendment sanctuary issue

Daily Press - 12/12/2019

Dec. 12--It wasn't on the Hampton City Council agenda, but the debate surrounding Second Amendment sanctuaries dominated the Wednesday meeting, drawing hundreds of residents and gun owners.

They filled council chambers to capacity, with dozens more waiting in the lobby.

"Sensible gun laws are already on the books. Are they going to piggy back on them?" said Richard Bryson, a Navy veteran and among 47 who signed up to address the council.

Each person was given three minutes to speak.

Many in attendance urged the city to enact a resolution to make Hampton become what's known as a Second Amendment sanctuary.

Many, who wore orange stickers that said "Guns Save Lives," were particularly upset with the proposed Senate Bill 16, which would prohibit the sale and possession of what lawmakers call "assault firearms" and certain types of magazines.

They say if such a bill is passed, because they have been law abiding gun owners for years, they would automatically become felons, due to the rifles and guns they already own.

"They are talking about neutering our children so that they cannot learn how to shoot a gun," said Bryson, who has been training his 13-year-old son to shoot. "I would not be able to train him. That's just wrong, I served for my right. We've got to stand up."

Others, who held up signs that read "No to 2nd Amendment Sanctuary City," wanted to remind city officials that voters already spoke.

"We come in peace," said Gaylene Kanoyton, president of Hampton branch NAACP. "We don't support Second Amendment sanctuary city because it's a myth. Everyone has to abide by the laws. The voters spoke in record numbers on Election Day, Nov. 5, they brought their thoughts and prayers to the polls and elected candidates who support sensible gun laws."

"The city supervisor cannot pick and choose what state laws to support, it is up to the court to decide," Lance Jones, a social worker, said.

During the public comment, many who addressed the council were military veterans, and spoke passionately about the oath they took to uphold the Constitution. They used statistics, quotes, moments in history and quoted the Second Amendment itself.

"I didn't serve so politician could get on TV," said Aijalon Cordoza, who urged the council to make Hampton a sanctuary. "I want to you do it because it is your duty. It's our duty is to uphold the United States Constitution."

The council did not take a stance on the issue, nor had planned to.

Mayor Donnie Tuck said earlier that he and other council members had received several emails in the past couple of weeks, with citizens stating Hampton should be come a Second Amendment sanctuary.

"We are familiar that other localities have attached resolutions," Tuck said. "It would be premature to take action on the matter absent of the formal action by the General Assembly."

Following the Democrats majority win in the General Assembly, Gov. Ralph Northam promised to bring sensible gun law on the books, bills that have been previously voted down by the formerly GOP-controlled legislature.

Proposals have included requiring background checks on gun transactions, limiting handgun sales to one a month and a "red flag" law that allows courts to temporarily take away someone's firearms if they're deemed a threat to themselves or others.

Across Hampton Roads, citizens have made a push for local government to create Second Amendment sanctuaries, and have poured into their respective government meetings in Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Gloucester, Poquoson, York County and James City County.

Dozens of rural communities around Virginia have passed resolution declaring their cities sanctuaries.

It's not yet clear if passing a resolution would do anything.

The Hampton council pushed the public comment portion to the end of the meeting to allow residents time to speak. About 300 attended, Hampton Fire Battalion Chief Anthony Chittum said.

"We stand for it. It's not a privilege. It's a right," said Tommy Gray, 61, a Hampton resident, who came with a few friends. "Guns are not the problem. People are the problem."

Daily Press and Virginian-Pilot archives contributed to this story.

Lisa Vernon Sparks, 757-247-4832, lvernonsparks@dailypress.com

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