Lynchburg, Virginia, has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Second Amendment rights by declaring itself a Second Amendment sanctuary city.
How the City Achieved This Status
The Lynchburg City Council took decisive action during its meeting on February 10, 2026. Members voted 6-1 to pass a resolution reaffirming the city’s Second Amendment sanctuary status.This builds on the original resolution adopted in January 2023, when the council first approved the measure by a 5-2 vote after earlier discussions in 2020.
The resolution states that the city will not allocate public funds, resources, or personnel to enforce any state or federal gun laws it views as unconstitutional or in conflict with the Second Amendment. It also expresses the city’s intent to uphold these rights and oppose infringements through available legal means.
The reaffirmation was proposed by Republican Vice Mayor Curt Diemer and Ward IV Councilman Chris Faraldi, reflecting strong local support for constitutional protections.
The city of Lynchburg has reaffirmed it's #2ndAmendment Sanctuary Status.
— Chris Faraldi (@ChrisFaraldiVA) February 11, 2026
This resolution passed 6-1 & all Republicans voted for it. pic.twitter.com/QGNcuL2F8n
This step aligns with a broader movement across Virginia, where many localities have adopted similar sanctuary resolutions to defend gun rights.
Reasons for the Reaffirmation
The timing of the vote directly responds to new gun control legislation advancing in the Virginia General Assembly under the current Democratic majority and Governor Abigail Spanberger.
Recent bills passed by the House include measures such as bans on the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, expanded gun industry liability, ghost gun regulations, secure storage requirements, and restrictions related to domestic violence survivors.
These proposals, many previously vetoed under former Governor Glenn Youngkin, now have a path to becoming law with Democratic control of both chambers and the governor’s office.
Governor Spanberger has publicly supported signing such legislation, including restrictions on assault-style weapons, high-capacity magazines, ghost guns, and strengthened red flag laws, as part of efforts to address gun violence.
Lynchburg’s leaders view these developments as threats to lawful firearm ownership and have acted to signal that the city prioritizes Second Amendment protections for its residents.
This reaffirmation stands as a clear demonstration of local resolve in supporting individual rights and constitutional principles amid shifting state policies. It’s a positive example of community leadership standing firm on core freedoms.