West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R) backed the growing movement within the state to encourage counties in neighboring Virginia to join his state to avoid proposed gun and abortion laws during a press conference on Tuesday.
Justice reminded those in attendance how West Virginia became a state in the first place, with the northern parts of the state removing themselves from Virginia over the issue of it being a slave state. Justice said West Virginia's state Constitution does not have a limit on how many counties can join them with the consent of the state legislature.
"West Virginia is an incredible state, and West Virginia is truly on the move," he continued. "We're a loving, good people, faith-based people. People that really know the difference between right and wrong."
"If you're not truly happy where you are, we stand with open arms to take you, from Virginia or anywhere you may be. We stand strongly behind the Second Amendment, and we stand strongly for the unborn," Justice said.
With Justice was Liberty University President Jerry Falwell, who said it was time for a "VEXIT," alluding to the United Kingdom's "Brexit" from the European Union.
"The Democrats are anti-life, anti-Second Amendment, anti-liberty, and even anti-business with their oppressive environmental regulations," Falwell said. Adding, "While there will likely be a robust debate about how cities and counties could leave their home state of Virginia, one thing is for absolutely certain: many counties are taking a long, hard look at escaping the barbaric, totalitarian, and corrupt Democratic Virginia regime in Richmond."
Here’s the statement I made with @WVGovernor Jim Justice today in Martinsburg WV. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/JJCSLCvEh5
— Jerry Falwell (@JerryFalwellJr) January 28, 2020
LIVE: Gov. Justice, @LibertyU President @JerryFalwellJr hold press conference #WV #WVGov https://t.co/8AWhlOmO1a
— Governor Jim Justice (@WVGovernor) January 28, 2020
Some new gun control bills that passed the Commonwealth of Virginia's Public Safety Committee include universal background checks, red flag protective orders, and only allowing the purchase of one handgun per month.
At a recent town hall, Democratic Virginia Delegate Mark Levine embarrassed himself while discussing the new gun control bills when he was unable to accurately define what constitutes an "assault weapon."