Free Republic

The Supreme Court on Monday announced it will hear a case that could significantly scale back federal agencies’ authority, with major implications for the future of environmental and other regulations. The justices next term will consider whether to overturn a decades-old precedent that grants agencies deference when Congress left ambiguity in a statute. Named for the court’s decision in Chevron U.S.A. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, the Chevron deference has become one of the most frequently cited precedents in administrative law since the decision was first handed down in 1984. It involves a two-step test: First, judges decide if Congress...

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday agreed to decide whether the government can require commercial fishermen to help fund a program monitoring herring catches off New England's coast in a case that could undercut the regulatory power of federal agencies.

Anyone in the mood for salmon? A new study finds higher omega-3 levels in the bloodstream may reduce one’s risk of dying from a COVID-19 infection. Conducted by the Fatty Acid Research Institute in collaboration with Cedars-Sinai Medical Centers in Los Angeles and Orange County, these findings are the first to uncover direct evidence linking omega-3 fatty acids with improved coronavirus health outcomes. Numerous scientists had theorized that omega-3 fatty acids may be beneficial for COVID-19 patients, but all of that was ultimately conjecture at best. The new study involved blood samples taken from 100 COVID-19 patients taken to a...

OANN CEO Robert Herring offers Lou Dobbs a new home on the competing cable news network. One America News Network CEO Robert Herring seemingly offered a job to former-Fox Business host, Lou Dobbs, after his former network fired him following a lawsuit from Smartmatic, one of the voting machine companies accused of being complicit in widespread fraud in the 2020 election. “One America News would like Lou Dobbs to get in contact with us,” wrote Herring. “We may have a position available for you in which you wouldn’t be censored for speaking the truth!” Dobbs’ show was cancelled by Fox...

RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia lawmakers have voted to ban firearms at the state Capitol, the first in what’s expected to be many contentious gun votes in coming weeks. Newly empowered Democrats in the General Assembly voted Friday to ban guns at the Capitol and a legislative office building, saying the move was needed to protect public safety.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Virginia's Attorney General is urging lawmakers to toughen hate crime statutes. Mark Herring is re-introducing a series of bills he hopes will address the problem in the Commonwealth. His bills would expand Virginia's definition of a hate crime, put more restrictions on militia groups, and bar anyone convicted of a hate crime from having a gun. Herring says with the new democratic majority in the General Assembly, he's optimistic the measures will pass. In previous years his bills failed. "These are all measures designed to help stem the prevalence of hate crimes and white supremacist violence that...

HOUSE BILL NO. 568 Offered January 8, 2020 Prefiled January 6, 2020 A BILL to amend and reenact § 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia and to amend the Code of Virginia by adding in Article 4 of Chapter 7 of Title 18.2 a section numbered 18.2-287.5, relating to carrying or storing firearms in motor vehicles and vessels; exceptions; penalty. Patron-- Helmer Committee Referral Pending Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That § 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding in Article 4...

There is no such thing as a gun free zone. A person intent on criminal violence will not be deterred from bringing a gun to a location because of a “no guns” sign or an anti-gun statute. The only consequence of such measures is to ensure law-abiding citizens are disarmed and vulnerable. As demonstrated by Texas churchgoer Jack Wilson and the other armed congregants of West Freeway Church of Christ, allowing law-abiding citizens to carry for the defense of themselves and others can prevent harm. As counterproductive as gun free zones are, Virginia’s Michael Bloomberg-bought General Assembly wants to go...

A new line of attack on Virginia’s fast-growing gun sanctuary movement, which is propelling similar pro-gun efforts in other states, compares it to slavery, drawing criticism from movement leaders who have won support in 91% of the state’s counties. In the latest Washington Post slam on the movement, dubbed “vigilantism” in a recent editorial, the paper gave space Sunday to a critic who said the “thinking” behind the organic movement is what propelled slavery and opposed the civil rights movement. Peter Galuszka called the movement “disturbing,” “reactionary,” “hysteria,” “ugly,” and “dangerous.” In linking it to slavery, he wrote, “A sad...

1. ACTION ITEM: Prince William County trying to pull a fast one on a sanctuary repeal vote on Tuesday, January 7 2. ACTION ITEM: Highland County to vote on sanctuary resolution on Wednesday, January 8! 3. Reminder: Virginia Beach to vote on sanctuary resolution on Monday, January 6! 4. ACTION ITEM: Clarke County to vote on sanctuary resolution on Monday, January 6! 5. RSVP for Pre-Lobby Day Dinner on Sunday, January 19 1. ACTION ITEM: Prince William County trying to pull a fast one on a sanctuary repeal vote on Tuesday, January 7 In order to sneak by a vote...

Hundreds of pro-gun political activists showed up to an NRA town hall in Roanoke, Virginia, on Friday night as the backlash continues to grow over the plans by Virginia Democrats to enact their far-left agenda aimed at decimating Second Amendment rights. Sources told The Daily Wire that up to 400 people attended the event, many of whom were women and first time political activists. The event comes as Virginia Democrats attempt to confiscate legally-owned firearms from law abiding citizens in a move that resembles what communist China has called on the U.S. to do in recent days. China has millions...

The top of the photo shows three commonly owned AR-15 rifles (displayed at Albemarle County Firearms) which would be banned under proposed Virginia laws for having features such as a pistol grip, folding stock, and flash suppressor. If those features were removed, the weapon would be legal. By contrast, the gun at the bottom is a hunting rifle, which can deal two or three times the damage of the weapons above, but would not be banned under the proposed legislation because it is a bolt-action weapon instead of a semi-automatic. Photo: Lisa Martin. Following Governor Ralph Northam’s 2019 promise...

I just did a search on the "Virginia's Legislative Information System," website and listed under the Bill Subject Index, these are the "Weapons" related active Bills for 2020 (so far): 2020 SESSIONWeapons HB 72 Children; allowing access to firearms by children. recklessly leaving loaded, unsecured firearm. HB 78 Firearms; purchase, possession, and transporting following certain convictions. HB 161 Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required. HB 162 Firearm-free zones designated by the Commonwealth or a locality; waiver of sovereign immunity. HB 224 Carrying a concealed handgun; permit not required. SB 13 Capitol Square; possessing or transporting a weapon within Square,...

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam speaks to gun control activists at a rally by Moms Demand Action and other family members of shooting victims outside of the Virginia State Capitol Building in Richmond, Va., July 9, 2019. (Michael A. McCoy/Reuters) His attempt to enforce unpopular and unconstitutional gun-control laws is doomed to failure.Ralph Northam is about to make the biggest tactical mistake in Virginia since Cornwallis decided to park his army at Yorktown. With his attempt to force local commonwealth’s attorneys and sheriffs in Second Amendment sanctuaries to enforce his unconstitutional gun laws, Governor Northam is setting himself up for...

Virginia Governor Ralph Northam nra-ila image U.S.A. –-(Ammoland.com)- Politicians and journalists often portray fiction as fact. It is easy to be opinionated, but hard to be informed. This came to mind as I listened to Virginia Democrats tell us we’d be safer if we were disarmed. What is the truth about gun-control laws? What politicians say a law will do might have nothing to do with what the law actually does. Lives are at stake when gun-control laws fail. Saying that the next gun-control law is necessary to stop violent crime admits that the 23 thousand firearms regulations already...

When Democrats won control of both houses of the Virginia Legislature November 5, 2019, Virginia gun-owners got a rude wake-up call. Now that wake-up call is spreading to gun-owners throughout the rest of the 49 states. In July 2019, Gov. Ralph Northam proposed a package of eight proposals that would tighten Virginia's gun laws, known as some of the least restrictive in the country. Currently, Virginia's gun control measures of merit ban the sale of firearms only to high-risk individuals and those convicted of domestic violence. However, the proposals would turn the least restrictive into what some would call dangerously...

(Courtesy Jeff Hulbert) Virginia gun owners—incensed by harsh new gun control measures being floated at the statehouse—have harshly rebuked state lawmakers in a daylong face-off that marks the first skirmish of 2020 between citizens and politicians over gun rights. It took place in Northern Virginia, at a budgetary “public comment” event —one of four taking place across the Old Dominion that were focused on upcoming funding issues. Tempers flared between citizens and the legislators to the extent that one of the seven Virginia lawmakers on the panel hearing testimony threatened to shut down the gathering. The tense, and at many...

With Virginia Democrats taking over all branches of state government, a firearms store owner in the state says sales of guns, magazines, and ammunition are up 200%, and more of his customers are paying in cash. “This is the largest Christmas and November, December that we've had, basically, since Trump has come on board. The only other person that was a better salesman right now is when we had President Obama,” said Jerry Rapp, owner of SpecDive Tactical, in Alexandria, comparing the administrations of President Trump and his White House predecessor, Barack Obama. “Every time [Obama] turned around he was...

Excerpt: Virginia’s pop-up gun sanctuary movement has turned its attention to fighting the governor’s call for a $4.8 million, 18-officer team to enforce his proposed “assault weapons” ban. Two key groups issued an alert this week to push gun owners to four budget hearings Thursday around the state, asking them to quiz state legislators if they will vote to ban or confiscate weapons.

Please Make Plans to Attend a Meeting and Show Your Support for 2A-Protected Rights! The state’s Democratic legislature will be holding hearings on Governor “Blackface” Northam’s anti-gun budget in four locations around the state on Thursday. We understand that this is short notice. But it would have a significant impact if many of our members could show up and make a 3-minute statement and ask questions of the legislators in attendance. We have to speak out, because your rights are under attack by the Governor of Virginia. Consider: Governor “Blackface” is supporting SB 16, which would ban commonly-owned firearms in...