As responsibly armed Americans with the duty to take care of our families, we are subjected to a great deal of provocation, bluster and posturing by anti-gun politicians.
I don’t blame the politicians (our so-called “decision-makers”), necessarily. The American political system contributes to grandstanding. A politician’s life is a continuous hunt for money to run the next campaign. If politicians do not ask for money every day, they are unable to keep their names and pictures in front of the constituents. Then, they lose.
According to maplight.org, a “non-profit, non-partisan research organization that tracks money in politics,” winning 2012 candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives spent $1.7 million. A winning senator spent $10.5 million. All for a job that pays $174,000 per year.
Revolt in Virginia
So, when billionaire anti-gun crusader Michael Bloomberg offers money, politicians jump to do his bidding. That’s why the battle in Virginia is vital to everyone who believes that the U.S. Constitution, as written, is a whole cloth; that amendments, such as the Second or the Fourth, cannot be attacked without destroying the foundation of our democratic republic.
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) intends to reintroduce a number of “gun safety” proposals as early as January, including universal background checks, a handgun purchasing limit (one per month) and a “red flag” law.
Aggressively anti-gun politicians have seized Virginia’s General Assembly. With Michael Bloomberg’s money, they are pushing for harsh gun-control laws. In response, more than two dozen counties have declared “sanctuary status.”
Many Virginia sheriffs have declared that they will not participate in gun confiscation. “Be it known that the Page Sheriff hereby declares Page County, Virginia, as a ‘Second Amendment Sanctuary,’ and that the Page County Sheriff hereby declares its intent to oppose any infringement on the right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms,” stated Sheriff Chad Cubbage.
Calling in the Army
The Richmond political machine is not pleased that citizens are standing up.
“… the governor may have to nationalize the National Guard to enforce the law,” said State Rep. Don McEachin (D). “That’s his call because I don’t know how serious these counties are and how severe the violations of law will be. But that’s obviously an option he has.”
The stage is set for confrontation while behind the scenes, Bloomberg floods Virginia with cash to promote his causes:
- Democrat Nancy Guy — $400,000 from a Bloomberg environmental group
- Democrat Shelly Simonds — $265,000 from Bloomberg’s “Beyond Carbon” action fund
- Bloomberg’s “Everytown for Gun Safety” has given more than $2.5 million to help Democrats get elected.
None of us can match Bloomberg’s anti-gun finances, but we can donate our “widow’s mite,” write letters and vote, and join with the USCCA, NRA and other organizations to make our voices heard. We must because protecting our families is worth every bit of energy we put into this fight.
How will it turn out in Virginia? How far will this go? I don’t know, but it will be a very sad and unforgettable day if the Richmond/Bloomberg political machine turns the Army against the citizens of America.
About Rick Sapp
Rick Sapp earned his Ph.D. in social anthropology after his time in the U.S. Army working for the 66th Military Intelligence Group, USAREUR, during the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. Following his time in Paris, France, he worked for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service before turning to journalism and freelance writing. Along with being published in several newspapers and magazines, Rick has authored more than 50 books for a variety of publishers.
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