BERKELEY SPRINGS — Gov. Patrick Morrisey, on Friday, signed three bills into law to protect the Second Amendment rights of West Virginians. Joined by state legislators and local supporters at Cacapon Resort State Park, Morrisey spoke to the freedoms sought and earned by West Virginians.

“We have an amazing state motto: ‘Mountaineers are always free,'” Morrisey said. “We should think about that every single day.” He went on to say that those freedoms are given by God, not the government. “It’s our job as legislators to safeguard those liberties at all costs,” the governor said.

In a move he said will enhance the state’s strong support of the Second Amendment and battle against individuals on the far left who have and will continue to attempt to take away those gun rights, the governor signed House Bill 2067, House Bill 3342 and Senate Bill 270 into law.

“The far left has tried to take away our Second Amendment rights. We’ve learned about their schemes,” Morrisey said. “My goal is to stay one step ahead of the radical gun-grabbers and government elites,” he continued as he stepped forward to sign three bills that he said protect the rights of West Virginians.

House Bill 2067 ensures that firearm companies are not unfairly held liable for the actions of those who use their products.

“The far left has pushed to sue gun manufacturers for the actions of criminals,” Morrisey said. “That’s just wrong.”

House Bill 3342 prohibits banks that contract with the state from discriminating against a firearm entity or firearm trade association. Morrisey said that in West Virginia, big financial institutions will not be allowed to de-bank companies in the firearms business or the trade associations.

Finally, Senate Bill 270 prohibits the government from suspending gun rights during declared emergencies or disaster responses. While West Virginia did not face the issue during the pandemic, Morrisey said that it was only because practices were put in place at the time.

“But, that should not be left to a governor. It should be embedded into the law.”

Following the signing of the bills, the governor invited all in attendance to walk a “mountaineer mile” with him.

“West Virginia has a chance for transformational change,” Morrisey said, calling for such change in many areas, including the area of healthcare. He said that one change is to make sure the people as a whole get healthier and to tackle obesity, diabetes and all healthcare challenges. To that end, the ‘mountaineer mile’ has become a focus.

“We are on day 29,” Morrisey said, adding that he has walked the ‘mile’ for 28 consecutive days. In addition, he has designated ‘mountaineer miles’ in each of the state’s 32 state parks. He added that he hopes to have designed miles in each of the state’s 55 counties.

“The ‘mountaineer mile’ is great for everyone as a way to stay in shape,” he said.

(Milbourne can be contacted at tmilbourne@journal-news.net)