For most Americans, July’s arrival means preparing to celebrate the country’s independence and bracing for the truly hot summer season. In Virginia this year, the first day of the month is a battle cry for those seeking to destroy the weapons industry brick by brick.
By openly encouraging a deluge of lawfare against gun-related businesses, there is no mistaking the state’s intent.
Weapons industry could cease to exist under Virginia’s concept of ‘accountability’
The Firearm Industry Accountability Act is not about “accountability,” but rather is an open door for anti-gunners to frivolously sue weapons manufacturers, distributors, and dealers over criminal acts by third parties.
Under the guise of “standards of conduct,” the law will force brick-and-mortar gun shops to spend more of their dollars on state-mandated security measures. Even worse, Virginia will expose a vital economic sector to utter destruction.
The key is liability. The weapons industry is shielded from irresponsible legal attacks by the decades-old Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA). Under the new statute, following the letter of the law will still expose businesses to crippling suits for the acts of others.
Suits backed by virtually unlimited taxpayer dollars designed to drive them into the ground.
AG wants gun industry held liable for third party acts
Attorney Gen. Jay Jones (D) cloaked the scheme behind “public safety,” which to him includes eradicating Second Amendment rights.
“Accountability is the bedrock of our legal system, and firearm industry actors who are negligent and cause harm through unlawful or irresponsible practices will be held accountable by this office,” Jones told a press conference last week ahead of the law’s implementation. “Every victim, every loved one left behind, every neighborhood, deserves justice, and this office will always be in service to the people of our Commonwealth.”
As is the case with his counterparts in California, New York, and Illinois, Jones lacks the fortitude to prosecute actual criminals. Instead, he and his ilk hide behind “public safety” claims while denying the people their right to armed self-defense against these same criminals.
It was immediately obvious that the anti-Second Amendment AG has little regard for the Constitution and personal responsibility.
Jones trotted out Virginia State Senator Jennifer Carroll Foy (D) at the press conference to support the pending law. In the process, she laid bare the agenda leaders will implement barring judicial intervention.
“When irresponsible manufacturers allow dangerous actors to bypass the law, or when lives are lost due to firearms getting into the wrong hands, the firearm industry members who distribute those weapons must be held responsible due to their failure to implement reasonable controls that will prevent suicide, mass shootings, and urban gun violence,” Foy claimed.
With an easily verified falsehood, the politician added that the weapons industry “enjoys exclusive immunity.” It absolutely does not.
Law-abiding gun shop owners already feel the uncertainty surrounding the all-out assault on individual freedoms in Old Dominion, including the highly publicized “assault firearms” ban.
Tactical Operations Vault co-owner William Boyd explained how the state’s new gun control regime is wreaking havoc on his new business and worrying his customers.
“We opened up in January and what we thought was going to be a really good time and [it] turned out to be kind of crazy,” Boyd said. “With the state elections and the governor got in, she signed the assault weapons ban and all the new laws that come into play, and so that’s what we’re battling at this point.”
The gun shop owner noted that customers are confused by the avalanche of attacks on gun rights and come in “looking for answers.”
In the meantime, the law-abiding public continues to vote with their wallets.
The pending “assault weapon” ban, while currently on hold after an 11th-hour injunction, has upstanding citizens scrambling to acquire arms that may soon be illegal to obtain in Virginia.
Gun shops note that inventory is flying off the shelves at a breathtaking rate, and many customers are taking the leap and buying high-end items that may soon be unavailable.
“People are buying the nice stuff they’ve been putting off,” Pro’s Choice Sporting Goods owner Daniel Smathers said. “If they feel like they can’t ever have it again, they’re going just to go ahead and buy the really nice thing.”
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