WATCH: Liberty’s Jerry Falwell, W.Va. Gov. Jim Justice support Virginia localities wanting to join West Virginia

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – Liberty University President Jerry Falwell and West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice held a news conference to announce their support for any Virginia counties wanting to join West Virginia.

The two men joined together at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College for the announcement.

“If you’re not truly happy with where you are, we stand with open arms to take you from Virginia or anywhere you may be,” Jim Justice, West Virginia governor, said.

Justice says he’s opening the states’ doors to Virginians. Priding itself on economic growth.

“There are so many great things about West Virginia and we’re on the verge of moving in a way you can’t fathom. Just imagine just tourism in West Virginia with a growth rate of 58 percent higher than the national growth rate right now,” Justice said.

Justice takes this stand with Liberty University president Jerry Falwell Jr., a central Virginian resident himself.

“I’m supporting to give the people whatever they need to make this decision for the state for the counties and cities. I think it makes sense. I would vote for it,” Falwell said.

This all comes as democratic law makers are enforcing gun law changes.

“And they’re using their power to strip away the God-given right held by every person in the state,” Falwell said.

Falwell says he and his attorney have done their research.

He says counties and cities in Virginia should start a petition to put a referendum on the ballot this November.

If approved by county and city leaders it’ll head to the democratic lead general assembly in Richmond who will vote on it.

Falwell says it’s a long shot--- but this is the only to get the Virginia democrats attention.

“Even if it doesn’t completely succeed it will send a clear message of what a great job Governor Justice is doing in West Virginia by how many people want to go even if they’re not allowed to go,” Falwell said. “We need a state government that is not elected by federal workers in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. that will protect our God-given rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and I believe West Virginia will do just that."