(AP) West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice and Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr. are urging unhappy Virginia counties to secede and join a neighboring state where Democrats aren't in charge.
Their invitation Tuesday to join West Virginia added weight to a backlash against Virginia Democrats' push for gun control.
During a news conference, Justice and Falwell acknowledged that the idea is a long shot. This month, the West Virginia House of Delegates and Senate introduced resolutions inviting parts of Virginia to join West Virginia.
There's been push-back against plans by Virginia's Democratic leadership to pass gun control measures such as universal background checks, a one-handgun-purchase-a-month limit.
