Democrats urge Prince William leaders to ban loaded guns in cars

Corey Stewart, Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman At-large is having none of it.

Today, he wrote in a letter:

“Let me be clear: I will not seek to dictate to the citizens of Prince William County the terms of how they may defend themselves and their families. We were not elected to suppress the constitutional rights of our constituents. We were elected to uphold and defend them. Our citizens enjoy an individual right under the Constitution to keep and bear arms (see District of Columbia v. Heller), including to transport a loaded firearm in their vehicle. If that is what they believe is the best way to protect themselves and their families, then I stand by their decision.”

Those words come after Democrats in the Virginia House and Senate who represent Prince William County urged elected leaders on the county’s Board of Supervisors to ban drivers from carrying loaded guns inside their vehicles.

State law allows the Board to ban loaded weapons inside cars. It’s something other jurisdictions in the state, including Fauquier County and Fredericksburg have done, according to the Democrats’ letter.

Democrats wrote:

“Moreover, given recent events, we do not believe our laws should enable faster movement, loading or deployment for any terrorist who exits their vehicle to start shooting. This is a common sense restriction which has broad support throughout Prince William County.”

Stewart doubted any terrorist would choose to avoid Prince William County simply because an ordinance ban loaded weapons in cars. He also urged Democrats to hire former police and military to serve as armed guards in local schools to protect children and teachers from would-be shooters.

Though both counties neighbor each other, their politics and Chairman of the respective boards of supervisors are worlds apart. In 2016, nearly 60 percent of Fauquier residents voted for Donald Trump while about the same percentage in Prince William voted for Hillary Clinton.

Stewart is a Republican whose vying to run for U.S. Senate against Tim Kaine.

Fauquier County Board of Supervisors Chairman Christopher Butler is also a Republican, but also a former law enforcement officer who supports a loaded gun ban for drivers.

“I don’t believe the need exists to carry a loaded long gun or shotgun in a vehicle. I am a retired deputy and my experience is that anyone with a loaded long gun or shotgun was likely road hunting or poaching (shooting game from vehicles),” Butler told me via email.