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Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Contact Delegates and State Senators

Governor Kaine decided to verify his anti-rights creds last Friday when he vetoed all of the significant pro-gun bills that passed the General Assembly. What's worse - he, or his staff apparently had no clue what the bulk of the bills actually do. Now is the time to contact your member of the State Senate and the House of Delegates and urge them to overturn Kaine's vetoes. All but one of the bills that he vetoed passed both houses of the General Assembly with veto proof margins. That being said, Kaine will use the time between now and April 8th to twist arms of the Democrats in the State Senate to get the votes he needs to sustain the vetoes. Here is what you need to know.

SB 1035 - Senator Hanger's bill repealing the restaurant ban.

Kaine Myth - "Allowing concealed weapons into restaurants and bars that serve alcohol puts the public, the employees, and our public safety officers at risk. I take seriously the objections of law enforcement to this measure."

Fact - SB 1035 prohibits those carrying concealed in restaurants like Applebees from drinking while in the restaurant. CHP holders are some of the most law abiding people in the country so there is not risk to the pubic, restaurant employees or law enforcement.

SB 877 - Senator Martin's bill repealing the restaurant ban for retired police.

Kaine Myth - "While it makes sense for current law enforcement officers to be permitted to carry their firearms when in such establishments, there is no compelling reason for retired law enforcement officers to have weapons in locations where alcohol is served."

Fact - Unlike last year when he vetoed the repeal of the restaurant ban for you and me but allowed untrained Commonwealth Attorneys and their deputies carry in restaurants, even allowing them to drink, Kaine was at least consistent this year by vetoing both bills. Unfortunately, Kaine seems to believe the only people that should have the right to protect themselves and their families while dining out are lawyers in the political class. Retired law enforcement could just as easily be targeted by criminals they helped put away as could Commonwealth Attorneys. VSSA believes all law abiding gun owners should have the ability to protect themselves and their families.

HB 1851 - Delegate Lingamfelter's bill that exempts active duty military from handgun rationing (one handgun-a-month).

Kaine Myth - "The new exemption would apply to active duty service members, whether Virginia residents or not. Because holders of valid Virginia concealed weapons permits are already able to purchase more than one handgun per month, House Bill 1851 only extends the ability to buy more than one handgun a month to nonresidents or those Virginians unable to obtain a concealed weapons permit."

Fact - Here's a news flash Governor Kaine - if someone is "unable to obtain" a CHP, they likely are not able to purchase a firearm. Simply because a member of the military chooses not to get a CHP should not preclude them from being able to purchase more than one handgun a month if they are law abiding citizens. These individuals are putting their lives on the line to protect our country so the least we can do is provide them with this exemption.

SB 1528 - Senator Cuccinnelli's bill that allows for online (Internet) training for CHP applicants.

Kaine Myth - "The state requires an applicant for a concealed weapons permit to take a written safety test to demonstrate that the individual understands how to use a weapon in a safe manner. Allowing the testing to be done online would weaken the ability of the Commonwealth to determine who is actually taking the test and open up opportunities for individuals to receive a permit under fraudulent circumstances with no guarantee that they can use a weapon safely."

Fact - Newsflash #2 Governor - There is no requirement in current law for a written safety test. Had you or your staff taken the time to check the code, or simply visit the State Police web site you would have seen the following requirement related to safety training:

Completing any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries or a similar agency of another state;

Completing any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course;

Completing any firearms safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law-enforcement agency, junior college, college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association or the Department of Criminal Justice Services;

Completing any law-enforcement firearms safety or training course or class offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or any division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement;

Presenting evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competition or current military service or proof of an honorable discharge from any branch of the armed services;

Obtaining or previously having held a license to carry a firearm in this Commonwealth or a locality thereof, unless such license has been revoked for cause;

Completing any firearms training or safety course or class conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor;

Completing any governmental police agency firearms training course and qualifying to carry a firearm in the course of normal police duties; or

Completing any other firearms training which the court deems adequate.

HB 2528 - Delegate Cole's bill placing some much needed sunshine on compensated gun confiscation schemes (gun buybacks).

Kaine Myth - "I veto House Bill 2528, which unnecessarily interferes with the operations of local governments. Specifically, the bill prohibits local law enforcement from choosing to conduct voluntary gun buyback programs and then destroying the weapons. Some localities have found this program to be effective in reducing the number of illegal firearms in their communities. It is not a mandatory program, and law enforcement in each locality have made the decision whether such a program is desirable in their own county or city. There is no compelling reason for the General Assembly to take this decision out of the hands of local law enforcement."

Fact - HB 2528 does not prohibit localities from conducting compensated gun confiscation programs nor does it prohibit localities from destroying the guns. The final version of the bill made it clear that one option for localities is to sell the guns to a federally licensed gun dealer. The important part of the bill that did remain is that localities have to pass an ordinance allowing them to operate one of these schemes (which by the way Governor there is not empirical evidence that they reduce the number of crime guns in communities), thus alerting taxpayers that their money is being used for a scheme that has not measurable impact on reducing crime.

Time is short. Contact your Delegate and Senator today, give them these important facts, and urge them to override Governor Kaine's vetoes.

Find your Delegate and Senator as well as their contact information by filling out the "Who's My Legislator" form here.

Friday, March 27, 2009

Kaine Vetos Restaurant Carry

Not only did Governor Tim Kaine veto SB1035 that would have allowed you and me to carry concealed in Applebees, he vetoed SB877 - a bill allowing retired law enforcement to carry concealed in restaurants like Applebees that happen to serve alcohol along with food.

This is after having signed a bill last year that allows Commonwealth Attorneys to carry concealed in restaurants. Mind you SB1035 prohibited consuming alcohol while carrying. Last year, Kaine allowed Commonwealth Attorneys to drink while carrying concealed in restaurants.

I guess this means the only people Tim Kaine trusts are lawyers while thumbing his nose at law enforcement, you, and me.

Update: Kaine also vetoed the following bills -

HB1851, which would have exempted active duty service members in Virginia from the state’s limit of purchasing one handgun a month.

SB1528, which would have allowed training required for a concealed weapons permit to be completed online.

HB2528, which would placed some much needed sunshine on compensated gun confiscation schemes (gun buybacks).

More information to follow.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Maybe the US Needs to Adopt Mexican Style Gun Control

If the above statement surprises you, join the club. Had it not been for Cam Edwards of NRANews.com, I would not have known that Brady Campaign President Paul Helmke offered the suggestion at a press conference held Tuesday, March 24th, to announce the release of its new report Exporting Gun Violence: How Our Weak Gun Laws Arms Criminals in Mexico and America.




None of the press reports Cam found (and there were only a hand full that I could find from a Google search) happened to mention that statement by Helmke. Just more proof that NRANews.com should be your first source for all news related to the Second Amendment (and heck - most other news worth knowing).

Cam pointed out through an audio clip that AP reporter, Suzanne Gamboa, attended the press conference and even asked Helmke a question. That fact was mysteriously missing when she wrote this article. She did not mention the press conference nor did she mention his incredible state about the US needing to enact Mexican style gun control.

Given the violence across the border reported almost daily, maybe Gamboa should have asked how those gun control laws have worked our for Mexico.

If you would like to take a look at the restrictions the Mexican people live under that Helmke loves so much, check out Dave Kopel's site.

If you want to catch Cam's radio program, you can listen 9PM - Midnight on Sirius Satellite radio Patriot Channel 144 or on the web at NRAnews.com.

Hat tip to Sebastian for the YouTube clip of Helmke.

Democratic Candidates for Governor to Debate

The three Democratic candidates for governor announced yesterday that they will hold five debates and make three joint appearances throughout the Commonwealth in the weeks leading up to the June 9 Democratic primary.

The campaigns of State Senator Creigh Deeds, former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe and former Delegate Brian J. Moran, issued a joint press release yesterday announcing the debates.

This is an excellent opportunity for gun owners to see the candidates and get their views on issues important to gun owners as the candidates generally hang around at the end of the debates to meet voters.

The following debates are scheduled:
April 19: Farm Team debate in Williamsburg
April 23: Virginia Education Association's convention debate in Hampton
April 28: Sorensen Institute/Danville Register & Bee debate in Danville
April 29: Huffington Post/Not Larry Sabato/Firedog lake/Collegiate Times debate in Blacksburg
May 19: Washington Post/Northern Virginia Community College debate in Annandale

The candidates have also agreed to appear together at several forums.

They will gather April 3 at the Northern Virginia Technology Council/Microsoft Forum in Reston, April 21 at the Crusade for Voters forum in Richmond, and at the Democratic Club of Green Springs forum in Louisa County at a date and time to be determined later.

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

March 30 Deadline for Governor to Act on Legislation

March 30th is the last day for Governor Kaine to sign, amendment, or veto legislation that passed the General Assembly. If you have not already done so, please contact Governor Kaine and urge him to sign the bills listed below. I recommend sending a seperate email, phone call or fax, for each bill so that your contact has a bigger impact. You can contact the Governor by phone at:

Phone: (804) 786-2211 Fax: (804) 371-6351

and you can use the form at this web page to send an email to Governor Kaine.

Below is the list of bills that you need to address:

Senate Bills

SB 877 - Senator Martin's bill that allows "retired" law enforcement officers to carry concealed in a restaurant that serves alcoholic. Unlike Senator Hanger's bill that applies to the rest of us, retired law enforcement officers will be able to consume alcohol while, if they wish. Given that Governor Kaine signed a similar bill for Commonwealth Attorneys last year while vetoing the one applying to the rest of us, it will be interesting to watch Kaine's contortions should he sign Senator Martin's bill and veto Senator Hanger's bill.

SB1035 - Senator Hanger's bill mentioned above that repeals the ban on carrying concealed in restaurants that serve alcohol. The notification provision that required someone carrying to notify a designated restaurant employee was removed from the bill.

SB 1383 - Senator Stolle's bill that repeals Virginia's statute related to possession of an unregistered silencer (federal law will still apply).

SB 1513 - Senator Smith 's bill that allows courts to award attorney fees to anyone challenging a local ordinance, resolution, etc., that is in conflict with Virginia's preemption statute, and winning the suit. The bill originally required awarding of court costs but the Senate amended it making awarding of court costs permissive. While not what we would have liked, it is a step in the right direction and will hopefully put localities on notice (Norfolk) that violating the preemption statute may have consequences.

SB1528 - Senator Cuccinelli's bill clarifying that the safety course conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor required for obtaining a concealed handgun permit may be done electronically or on-line.

House Bills

HB 1655 - Delegate Carrico's companion bill to Senator Smith's bill above.

HB 1851 - Delegate Lingamfelter's bill that exempts active duty military from handgun rationing (one gun-a-month).

HB 2144 - Delegate Nutter's bill codifying Attorney General McDonald's opinion that the State Police cannot release the list of concealed handgun permit holders. The information however would still be available through local circuit courts but they only have the list of CHP holders in that particular locality.

HB 2528 - Delegate Cole's bill that require localities that wish to operate a compensated gun confiscation program (gun buybacks) that they have to pass an ordinance to that effect and that they will have to offer the guns taken for sale to an FFL or dispose of them in some other legal manner. As introduced, it was mandated that the guns be sold to an FFL but Senator Stolle weakened the bill allowing localities to continue destroying the guns rather than offer them for sale. While the bill is not what we would have likes, it does place some much needed sunshine on these schemes and before participating in such a scheme, taxpayers would have prior notice as there is a public procedure to pass a new ordinance.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Second Amendment Under Fire

Wayne LaPierre was on Fox News' Glen Beck program last night to talk about the renewed assault on the Second Amendment, this time because we (the USA) need to do something to help the Mexicans to reduce crime in their country.

Virginia Gun Owners Forum

VSSA received notice of a new Internet forum hosted by a Virginian. You can check it out at Virginia Gun Owners Forum. I'd like to give the forum creator a hat tip for putting a "Join VSSA" link on the web site.

Court Blocks Rule Allowing Firearms in National Parks

A federal judge on Thursday blocked the new rule put in place by the Bush Administration that allowed law abiding citizens who possess a concealed carry permit to carry in national parks. The decision was handed down by U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly. In her ruling, Kollar-Kotelly said that the government's process had been "astoundingly flawed."

The Justice Department had sought to block the injunction against the controversial rule. The three groups that brought the suit -- the Brady Campaign toPrevent Gun Violence, the National Parks Conservation Association andthe Coalition of National Park Service Retires -- argued the Bush Administration violated several laws in issuing the rule.

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar declined to comment Thursday, citing the ongoing court case.

Hopefully the injuction will be appealed. We'll keep you informed.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Delegate O'Bannon Gets Challenger

Delegate John O'Bannon has attracted a challenger to his western Henrico County House of Delegate's Seat. This is the district formerly represented by now Congressman Eric Cantor and the district has been as ably represented by O'Bannon as it was by Cantor. Delegate O'Bannon has been a great supporter of our rights during his tenure in the House. He has also put his money where his votes are by supporting the Richmond Metro Friends of NRA (RMFNRA) Annual Fun Shoot and Banquet for several years until the RMFNRA committee disbanded in 2005.

Delegate O'Bannon is a true friend and gun owners in the 73rd House District are encouraged to contact the campaign and offer to assist in his re-election bid.

Alternate Scoring System for 2010 Camp Perry

The NRA Competitive Shooting Division sent an email today regarding changes to the High Power Scoring System for 2010. The NRA High Power Rifle Committee had recommended that the alternate scoring system be used for the 2009 National High Power Rifle Championships at Camp Perry, OH. However, realizing that there are many competitors who are not familiar with the alternate system, it will not be put in place until the 2010 championships to insure that all competitors are familiar with the new system.The scoring system for 2010 may be viewed here.

Lou Dobbs Stands Up for Gun Owners Again

Last night during coverage of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Drugs hearing, Lou Dobbs came to the defense of America's law abiding gun owners, questioning Senators Feinstein and Durbin's assertion (that he said were based on Brookings Institute numbers) that 2000 guns are smuggled into Mexico every day. That would be 780,000 firearms a year!!! This exchange took place between Dobbs and reporter Casey Wian:

Dobbs: Yeah, I'd like to see the audit on all of that nonsense. Durbin, with all due respect to the senator, to suggest that the reason for the violence, as he put it, American firearms, is he aware of the five principal drug cartels at war with each other, the outright law of those. What in the world is a chairman of a committee doing speaking so irresponsibly? That's absolutely -- I find it astonishing. Where do we go from here with that committee?

Wian: Well, he seems to be echoing the statements of the Obama administration. Eric Holder said that, you know, he wanted to resume the assault weapons ban, to help Mexico allegedly help Mexico or theoretically help Mexico curtail this drug cartel violence. As many other senators on that committee today pointed out, if some of those guns weren't coming from the United States, Mexican drug cartels would get them from either the Mexican army or from other nations, Lou.

Dobbs: I don't know if Senator Durbin has ever been to northern Mexico, but I'd sure like to go there with him. I'd like to show him around. And, you know what else I'd like to do? I just like to suggest, perhaps, to the senator that he think about this, that his -- his affinity with the Obama administration and the efforts of the president and the attorney general Eric Holder, to try to roll back our second amendment rights, will be, by the fiercest, I guarantee you, the most substantive resistance in the history of -- of politics in this, in this century so far at least. I mean it is just disgusting to hear that. I had been calling for secure borders here since September 11th. I have been calling for secure ports since September 11th. And now, this man, Senator Durbin has the effrontery, talking about securing the borders and winning the war on drugs because he finds it convenient to the interest of the president of Mexico. There may be a conflated interest shared. I have to say it is astonishing the man has no sense of context and what he is saying.

BATFE's William Hoover told the subcommittee the numbers are more in the hundreds. In 2007 working with the Mexican government, BATFE traced 6561 firearms. In 2008 BATFE traced 10,977 and to date in 2009, they are already approaching the 10,000 number. Even if we use this year's number as a baseline, that is still a lot less than the 780,000 number based on the Brookings Institute.

DOD Spent Brass Directive Reversed

NRANews host Cam Edwards reported breaking news on the program last night that the Department of Defense has reversed its directive that all spent brass purchased from the department be mutilated rather than be remanufactured and sold to consumers and local agencies (i.e. local law enforcement). Cam reported that NRA was in meetings all day yesterday on the matter and news of the reversal came just a few hours before the start of the program.

We can thank Montana U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Max Baucus who cosigned a letter to the Department of Defense asking DOD to reverse their new policy requiring "mutilation" of fired military cartridge brass. About an hour after the letter was sent, Senator Tester's office received a response from the Defense Department saying the brass destruction policy IS reversed.

Both Senators Tester and Baucus are Democrats. This is good news for gun owners because if two senators from a party who's leadership is not known for its strong support of the Second Amendment over the last 10 to 15 years, are willing to go to bat for us so quickly, we may have a strong wall against what is sure to be a coming fight on banning semi-automatic rifles.

I say coming battle because yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs held a hearing on “Law Enforcement Responses to Mexican Drug Cartels." It was nothing more than a forum for Senators Diane Fienstein (D-CA) and Dick Durbin (D - IL) to spout the administration's line on the need to ban semi-automatic rifles to keep Mexican Drug Cartels from getting their hands on them. Maybe they should have read this L.A. Times article from Sunday detailing how many of the weapons used by the cartels are coming from South America.

I'll have audio of some of the hearing uploaded later this evening.

Hat tip to Cam Edwards and the Shooting Wire.

Monday, March 16, 2009

New DMRS Requirements

Georgia Arms this weekend alerted gun owners and others in the shooting community to a new directive by the Department of Defense that bans the sale of military brass to ammunition re-manufacturers.

This is bad news for shooters like you and me because without that brass, a very large dent is put into civilian ammunition supplies.

The new Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) requirements call for the "mutilation of shell casings". As Rush Limbaugh would say, "for those in Rio Linda" mutilation, means destruction of the property "to the extent that prevents its reuse or reconstruction".

Strike one up for another regulation aimed at gun owners that did not require congressional approval.

But this doesn't just affect civilian gun owners. No, Georgia Arms was remanufacturing more than one million rounds of .223 ammunition monthly. That ammo was going not only to civilians but also to government agencies (i.e. law enforcement) all over the country. Not only will Georgia Arms start sending cancellation notices for .223 ammunition to law enforcement agencies across the United States, according to Jim Shepherd at the Shooting Wire, the company may have to layoff half of its sixty-person workforce.

Strike up one more victim of President Obama's economic recovery plan.

Contact your congressman and Senator's today and

As a VSSA member said when he forwarded this story to me "This is a huge waste of taxpayer's money. The value of these products is reduced by 80% by going from a recycled product to a scrap product."

Hat tip to VSSA member TM and the Shooting Wire.

Predictable

Josh Davis, who lives outside Samson, Alabama sadly predicted to the Montgomery Advertiser a few hours before the Violence Policy Center sent an email to the paper pushing a renewal of the Clinton Gun Ban:

Well, we'll see this all over the country now as a reason for more gun control. I wish they would give us a chance to bury the dead before they throw us out there like I know they are going to do.

Compare the Violence Policy Center statement to the one from the NRA:

Now is not the time for politics. It is the time for these grieving communities to heal.

Issue of Gun Rights Still Holds Sway

So says this NY Times article.

I still don't trust Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi when she says "enforce the laws already on the books" since I know full well if she did not have to worry about 80 Democratic members voting against her she would push a gun control bill in a heartbeat.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

National Park Service Ban on Traditional Ammunition

I have written on this site a number of times that gun owners have as much if not more to fear from anti-rights regulations that can be enacted without congressional approval than from legislation in the immediate future. I don't like saying I told you so but...

Yesterday, the National Park Service announced its intention to ban traditional ammunition containing lead in all its parks. This is bad news for hunters already hit by a weakened economy and hard to find ammo because the move would force them to use more costly ammo like tungsten, copper, and steel. The restrictions, set to take affect by the end of 2010, were announced without regard to science or soliciting feedback from sportsmens’ groups according to the NRA and the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF). The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance also issued an action alert.

Knowing the cost impact it would have on hunters, anti-hunting groups like the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) have been pushing for a ban on lead ammo.

Just a couple of years ago, California banned traditional lead ammo in the part of the state known as the California condor range. The anti-hunting crowd used bogus science to push the ban saying that the California condor was being poisoned by lead in the carcases of unretrieved wildlife killed with lead ammo. Pro-rights advocates know that what becomes law in California does not take long to spread across the country.

VSSA will keep members informed on how they can be part of the regulatory process to encourage the park service to reconsider this hastily concluded policy before it goes into effect by the end of 2010

Well That Didn't Take Long

The anti-rights crowd wasted no time in using Tuesday's shootings in Alabama to call for reinstatement of the Clinton Gun Ban. Speaking for the usual group of suspects, the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence issued a press release saying:

Yesterday's shooting is only the latest addition to a string of preventable tragedies committed with these military-style weapons. America needs an effective federal assault weapons ban to stop the mass production and marketing by the gun industry of these anti-personnel weapons. Today we call on the U.S. Congress to pass a federal assault weapons ban modeled on California's effective law that would ban these weapons once and for all.

To say that I am not surprised is an understatement.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

DC Voting Rights Act Still on Hold

I posted earlier this week that the House postponed action on the DC Voting Rights Act because pro-rights Democrats may push to include a pro-rights amendment aimed at requiring DC to abide by the Heller Decision and strip much of the new regulations the city imposed on anyone wishing to own a firearm. As of today, no vote has been scheduled.

The Hill reported late yesterday that House Leadership has offered the NRA a stand alone bill on DC gun rights. The problem is, there would be no incentive for the Senate to take up the bill and it would flounder as it did last year when the House passed a bill expanding the rights of DC residents only to see it die of inaction in the Senate. But with the gun rights amendment, the DC Voting Rights Act will likely die as pro-rights Republicans who want to abide by the constitution when it comes to giving DC a representative in Congress would join with anti-rights Democrats who don't want DC residents to own firearms.

Politics at its best.

Congressman Cantor Targeted

Congressman Eric Cantor represents the 7th Congressional District of Virginia. The VSSA office is located in the 7th District and Cantor has always been a good friend to gun owners going back to his days in the Virginia General Assembly. I have also had the good fortune of knowing him for a over a two decades and call him a friend. So you can imagine my glee when I see stories like this.

Apparently, making Rush Limbaugh public enemy number one has only provided limited benefits for the Obama minions - Cantor has now become the new villain to a portion of the political class in- and outside of the Beltway. And those who oppose Cantor are trying to make him an appendage of Limbaugh.

Even Speaker Pelosi is a little testy over Cantor. Seems he has gotten under her skin for using some of the same techniques she once used when she was in the minority. Payback can be tough.

Cantor is one of the good guys. He has been there for gun owners when we needed him and has an NRA "A" rating. I for one am happy VSSA's congressman is getting all of this attention. Keep up the good work Congressman Cantor.

AG Candidates and Second Amendment

The AG candidates debated last night and the Northern Virginia Daily reports this information on where the candidates are on our issue:

All three men were all but in lock step on issues of guns and gun rights.

Cuccinelli pledged to use the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to fight against any overreaching anti-gun laws passed by Congress.

Brownlee also said he was "prepared to go to court to defend the Second Amendment," and knows first hand from his time in Washington that "gun control
doesn't work."

Foster promised to fight to see that the U.S. Supreme Court decision in D.C. v. Heller, which upheld a personal right to keep and bear arms, is applied to the states as well as Washington.

All three appear top be singing from the same page. Cuccinelli of course is the only candidate that goes with his words. I have spoken with Brownlee on this subject and I have no reason to doubt his sincerity. Foster is the only candidate to whom I have not spoken but he did address the subject to VSSA members in the January issue of The Bullet.

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

GOP Delegate Filing Deadlines

Lastt week I posted about the Republican nomination for Attorney General. VSSA has not endorsed a candidate but the only pro-rights candidate for this important office is going to come from the GOP as the only candidate for the Democrats received a "C" rating from the NRA in 2007. If you want to participate in the Republican nominating process you have to file to be a delegate to the May 29-30 nominating convention. The following local units have filing deadlines approaching.

March 10th
Brunswick
Isle of Wight
Mecklenburg
Patrick
City of Salem

March 12th
Culpeper
Fairfax City
Giles
Gloucester
Halifax
Hanover
New Kent
Tazewell

March 13th
Floyd
Henrico

March 14th
Falls Church
Franklin/Southampton
Loudoun

March 16th
Campbell
Col. Heights
Dinwiddie
Rockingham
Shenandoah

March 17th
Buchanan
Danvile
Frederick
Portsmouth City
Richmond City

Contact the candidate of your choice to find out how to become a delegate if you live in one of the above localities.

Senator Ken Cuccinelli: 1-703-766-0635
John Brownlee: 1-888-523-6724
Dave Foster: 1-703-349-2820

February Gun Sales Still Up

Anyone who attended last weekend's Richmond Gun Show will not be surprised that gun sales continued to be brisk in February. The show was packed as it has been since election day.

NSSF reported that data from the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) show background checks on the sale of firearms jumped 23.3 percent in February (1,259,078) when compared to February 2008 (1,021,130). The increase follows a 29 percent rise in January, a 24 percent rise in December and a 42 percent jump in November, when a record 1,529,635 background checks were performed.

In related news, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) announced yesterday that firearm retailers may continue to photocopy the Form 4473 -- the federal document required for purchase of a firearm from a licensed retailer -- in its entirety until they receive requested backorders from the Distribution Center.

It would be interesting to see how fast the purchase of firearms in the AR platform increased the last few days of February following Attorney General Eric Holder making it clear on February 25th that the administration wants to reinstate and expand the ban on semi-auto firearms.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Democrats Show Little Taste for Gun Control

I can find some fault with the content of this article (like the characterization of semi-automatic firearms as "rapid-fire") but the premise is good for gun owners - that Democrats in Congress are expressing little interest in gun control. Take for instance this quote from Ill. Senator Dick Durbin during debate on the D.C. gun rights amendment:

We do not debate guns around here much anymore. Basically, we reached a point where there are not many people who will stick their political necks out to vote for sensible gun control — too big a hassle.

Durbin is one of the ones that would like to pass more gun control but Democrats like Virginia's Mark Warner and Jim Webb have both gone on record this year supporting gun owner rights by voting for the pro-rights amendment to the D.C. Voting Rights Act.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Republican Nomination for Attorney General

I have been asked why VSSA has not made an endorsement in the Republican nomination contest for Attorney General. While there may be an endorsement in the future, there are a couple of reasons why VSSA has not made an endorsement at this time. First, it is unusual for VSSA to endorse in nomination contests. VSSA will do everything we can to let you know about the candidates running - the first step in this process was allowing all three candidates to address the membership through the January issue of The Bullet.

Senator Ken Cuccinelli, one of the three candidates, needs no introduction to Virginia gun owners. He has been a stalwart supporter of our rights during his time in the Virginia State Senate. I know a number of VSSA members that live in his senate district have been volunteering for him at gun shows and other venues. He is also a member of the Arlington-Fairfax IWLA club.

Both of the other candidates, former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee and Dave Foster have expressed their support for an individual right to keep and bear arms. Neither have held elective office where they have cast votes on the issue (though Foster was a school board member in the past).

The second reason VSSA has yet to make an endorsement is the nomination is being decided by a nominating convention, not a primary. Nominating conventions are typically open only to members of the party holding the contest, where primaries in Virginia are open to all voters. To make an endorsement in this race would mean VSSA would be telling members to participate in a process that may require them to sign a pledge of support for all candidates of that party in the general election. VSSA is non-partisan and is uncomfortable with such a position. Gun owners should feel free to vote for the candidates that will protect our rights and they may not all be in the same party.

VSSA does believe that gun owners should be involved in the process that will determine the candidate of both parties in the general election so that the ultimate candidates will support our rights. In the case of the Attorney General race, it appears that only the Republican party has the opportunity to nominate a candidate that is pro-rights. The only candidate on the Democratic side is an NRA "C" rated candidate. Democrats are nominating by a primary that will be held in June.

Having said this, VSSA encourages members to contact all of the candidates to find out what their positions are on specific issues of importance to gun owners. If you would like to get involved in the Republican nominating process, you will have to pre-file to be a delegate to the May 29-30, 2009, nominating convention. There are deadlines this week in the following localities:

Fairfax(Saturday Deadline) Prince William(Saturday Deadline) Roanoke County(Saturday Deadline) Or Newport News(Friday Deadline)

If you want to support a particular candidate, contact them at the information provided below.

Senator Ken Cuccinelli: 1-703-766-0635
John Brownlee: 1-888-523-6724
Dave Foster: 1-703-349-2820

VSSA will be posting the deadlines for the remaining localities on the VSSA web site in the coming days.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Contact the Governor on the Restaurant Ban

Well, it did not take long for editorial pages to start expressing dismay that concealed carry permit holders want to be able to protect themselves and their families, even when they decide to enjoy dinner at Applebees, Olive Garden, or any other restaurant that also serves alcohol. Today the Lynchburg News and Advance jumped on the bandwagon urging Governor Kaine to do what he has pledged - veto SB1035 - Senator Hanger's bill repealing the "restaurant ban.

Kaine and the News and Advance must be sharing talking points.

Guns and alcohol don’t mix.

It could lead the state back to the frontier days.

I’m very nervous about the public-safety impact of that bill.

The editorial references the prohibition against consuming alcohol while carrying in the restaurant then asks the question "why else would that patron of the bar be there?" This is the reason this bill did not pass both houses of the legislature for years and why it my well get vetoed the second year in a row - we are fighting the battle on their terms. The anti-rights crowd is using focus group tested sound bites like "guns in bars" when there are no bars in Virginia. We are talking about restaurants that simply make alcohol available to their patrons who are enjoying lunch or dinner. Its the Applebees, TGI Fridays, Olive Gardens, Famous Daves - they are too many to name.

Contact the Governor's office by phone and by email today. Urge him to sign SB1035. Tell him you should be able to protect yourself and your family while dining in one of the above or one of the numerous other family restaurants that just happen to make alcohol available. Remind the Governor that he signed a bill last year (SB776) that allows off duty Commonwealth Attorneys to carry concealed in restaurants and they are not even prohibited from consuming alcohol while carrying like SB1035 requires. Also remind the Governor that SB877 which passed this year, allows retired law enforcement to carry in restaurants and they would not be prohibited from consuming alcohol. Tell Governor Kaine it would be hypocritical to veto SB1035 after having signed SB776 last year and would be the height of hypocrisy to veto SB1035 if he signs SB877.

CHP holders are some of the most law abiding people in the country. Reporter Howard Nemerov has analyzed data on the subject and written;

Concealed carry licensees make a considered choice to conduct themselves a certain way in public, and have invested the time, money, and effort to certify that their level of commitment is worthy the public’s trust. They voluntarily undergo background checks normally reserved for sensitive jobs or criminal arrests, in order to certify that they rank among our most law-abiding citizens prior to receiving their license. These data prove that trust has not been in vain.
About 160,000 people have active permits in the Commonwealth according to the Virginia State Police. That number was up more than 30,000 in 2008 from the previous year. There is not public safety concern with CHP holders carrying in restaurants.

You can contact the Governor here.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Liberty University to stay gun free

The Lynchburg News and Advance reported this morning that the Liberty University Board of Trustees has decided to continue to ban firearms on campus.

It was believed by some (this writer included) that the private conservative Christian university was Virginia's best chance at getting self-defense policy in place at a major four-year college or university. In the end, the governing board opted not to allow commonsense to prevail. While the decision is disappointing, it should not be a complete surprise as the usual comments ("can't imagine handing out grades to students with guns") were thrown out in the article from those opposing the change in policy.

Currently only Blue Ridge Community College allows students to carry on campus.

Firearms Stocks Recommended

I subscribe to the Money and Markets email list. Today's email listed three picks as possible good choices for investors. Pick number two was:


Guns
Exchange-traded examples include Sturm, Ruger & Company (RGR) and Smith & Wesson (SWHC). Smith & Wesson has been a doormat until recently. But both it and Ruger enjoyed nice moves in the past couple weeks.

While Smith & Wesson has announced big plans for future growth, I prefer Ruger.
Its revenues and earnings are increasing, and the company's backlog in orders jumped 72 percent from the 3rd quarter to the 4th quarter.

Why is the outlook improving for gun manufacturers?

Maybe because while other industries are sliding down a slippery slope of lower demand, the output of U.S. small arms manufacturing is forecast to grow at an annual compounded rate of 2 percent between 2008 and 2013, as seen on the following chart ...


While others are in the perverbial toilet, firearms appears to be a safe investment for the time being.

Delegate Bill Janis Gets Challenger

Pro-rights supporter and VSSA member Delegate Bill Janis has drawn opposition in this year's General Assembly Elections. James Towey, the former director of the Virginia State Crime Commission, is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Janis in the 56th House of Delegates district, which includes parts of Henrico County and all of Louisa and Goochland counties.

All gun owners in the 56th House District are encouraged to contact Delegate Janis to find out how you can help him in his reelection campaign.

DC Gun Rights Amendment Stalls DC Voting Rights Bill

As was the case in the 110th Congress, an amendment giving broader gun rights to residents of the District of Columbia, has stalled legislation that would give D.C. residents a vote in the House of representatives. In 2007, the bill was pulled permanently after an amendment (pre-Heller) repealing the D.C. gun ban.

I have to admit I am not a fan of the "D.C. Voting Rights" bill (it's unconstitutional and there is an easy fix for residents that want congressional representation - draw a line around the "Seat of Government" and give back everything else to Maryland which is where the remaining portion of DC came from in the first place). However, if it is going to pass (elections have consequences) it might as well at least stop the D.C. City Council from circumventing the Heller decision.

The Senate last week added the gun rights amendment to its version of the D.C. voting rights bill (Senators Warner and Webb voted yes). D.C. officials hoped the House version would not pass with the amendment and force the Senate in negotiations to remove its gun amendment. D.C. officials held a little protest to the amendment yesterday.

However, the House Rules Committee abruptly canceled a meeting it had scheduled for yesterday in preparation to move the bill to the House floor today. It became clear conservative Democrats who are pro-rights had enough support to force a vote on the gun law amendment and may pull their support of the bill without it.

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said action on the bill would be delayed for at least the rest of the week.

"The irony is . . . if [the amendment] passes, we may not be able to pass the bill"

Many assumed Democrats would use their enhanced majority power to pass a rule that would bar gun amendments. D.C. "Delegate" Eleanor Holmes Norton told the Washington Post, the NRA had other plans. According to the Post, Norton said NRA told lawmakers that it might score their votes on the rule for the D.C. bill, meaning representatives could be recorded as casting an anti-gun vote if they approved a rule blocking amendments on the D.C. vote bill.

Republican AG Candidates To Debate in Culpeper

The three Republican candidates running for Attorney General will debate in Culpeper on March 16th. The debate will be held at 7 p.m. at the Germanna Community College Daniel Technology Center and is open to the public. The Culpeper, Madison and Orange Republican committees are sponsoring the event. The debate is an excellent opportunity to see all of the candidates on the Republican side and learn where they stand on the issues - including the Second Amendment - and gun owners are encouraged to attend. Attendees typically have an opportunity to speak with the candidates after these type of local events.

The Office of the Attorney General is a very important office for protecting the rights of Virginia's gun owners. The last two AG's (Jerry Kilgore and Bob McDonnell) responded to opinion requests that directly affected the rights of gun owners - Kilgore responded that CHP holders could carry in state parks and McDonnell responded that the State Police CHP database was not public information. McDonnell also joined an amicus brief on the side of Heller in the D.C. gun ban case - taking a different position that Virginia's anti-rights Governor Tim Kaine, who supported the D.C. Gun Ban. While AG's opinions are just that - legal opinions - they often carry the force of law and may lead the General Assembly to act accordingly.

Only one of three candidates running on the Republican side has held an elective office that regularly deals with gun related issues - State Senator Ken Cuccinelli. He has been a strong defender of our rights and received an "A" rating from the NRA in his 2007 re-election bid for office. Virginia gun owners have no question about Senator Cuccinelli's pro-rights credentials.

Among the other two candidates running for the Republican AG nomination, is former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee. He served as U.S. Attorney, 2001-2008. Brownlee is also a retired U.S. Army officer, honorably discharged in 2001. Brownlee attended high school in Fairfax, is a graduate of Washington & Lee University and William and Mary School of Law. He currently teaches Trail Advocacy at UVA School of Law. Brownlee wrote in the January issue of the VSSA member publication, The Bullet, that he is a life long supporter of the Second Amendment and applauded the Heller Decision.

Dave Foster is the third candidate on the Republican side. He served two terms on the Arlington County School Board and is a graduate of the UVA School of Law. Mr. Foster also wrote in his January Bullet article that he supports an individual right to keep and bear arms.

Delegate Steve Shannon is the only Democrat running for AG. He received a "C" rating from the NRA in 2007. It appears that if gun owners are to have a pro-rights candidate for AG, it will come from the Republican side this year.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Will Illinois Join 48 Other CCW States

Not Virginia related but Illinois is close to a vote to allow concealed carry. The Illinois Sheriff's Association supports the bill. Here's hoping they are successful.

2009 Election

The end of the General Assembly in an election year also brings with it announcements of retirement from the legislature. This year was no different. So far five members of the House of Delegates have announced they will not run for another term. Two of those who have announced, Delegate Jeff Frederick (Prince William) and Delegate William Fralin (Roanoke), have been friends of gun owners and we will have to work hard to replace them with legislators that respect the Constitution and our rights. Another retiring delegate, Frank Hargrove (Hanover) was a supporter of our rights with the exception of repealing the "restaurant ban," which he voted against in 2003, last year, and this year. Gun owners in Hanover need to get involved in the nominating process to help make sure we have a strong advocate for all of our rights to replace Delegate Hargrove.


In the 25th House District, another friend of gun owners, Delegate Steve Landes (Weyers Cave), will face opposition for the first time in more than a decade. Landes deserves the support of gun owners in his district and I will have information in the near future on how to help him in his re-election bid.

Sunday, March 1, 2009

General Assembly Wrap-Up

The 2009 Session of the General Assembly adjourned yesterday. The last couple of years have been somewhat lean for pro-rights legislation compared to the Warner years when one year alone saw 17 pro-rights bills signed into law. Still, this year was a good year for the right to keep and bear arms - at least where the legislature is concerned. We still have to get the signature of the less than pro-rights Governor, Tim Kaine. While he has signed some pro-rights legislation in the past, he vetoed two very important bills related to self-defense last session. He will have the opportunity to do the right thing again this year when Senator Hanger's SB 1035 - the bill repealing the ban on carrying concealed in restaurants that serve alcohol - hits his desk in the coming days. Below is the list of bills that passed both houses of the Assembly and are on their way to the Governor.

Senate Bills

SB 877 - Senator Martin's bill that allows "retired" law enforcement officers to carry concealed in a restaurant that serves alcoholic. Unlike Senator Hanger's bill that applies to the rest of us, retired law enforcement officers will be able to consume alcohol while, if they wish. Given that Governor Kaine signed a similar bill for Commonwealth Attorneys last year while vetoing the one applying to the rest of us, it will be interesting to watch Kaine's contortions should he sign Senator Martin's bill and veto Senator Hanger's bill.

SB1035 - Senator Hanger's bill mentioned above that repeals the ban on carrying concealed in restaurants that serve alcohol. The notification provision that required someone carrying to notify a designated restaurant employee was removed from the bill.

SB 1383 - Senator Stolle's bill that repeals Virginia's statute related to possession of an unregistered silencer (federal law will still apply).

SB 1513 - Senator Smith 's bill that allows courts to award attorney fees to anyone challenging a local ordinance, resolution, etc., that is in conflict with Virginia's preemption statute, and winning the suit. The bill originally required awarding of court costs but the Senate amended it making awarding of court costs permissive. While not what we would have liked, it is a step in the right direction and will hopefully put localities on notice (Norfolk) that violating the preemption statute may have consequences.

SB1528 - Senator Cuccinelli's bill clarifying that the safety course conducted by a state-certified or National Rifle Association-certified firearms instructor required for obtaining a concealed handgun permit may be done electronically or on-line.

House Bills

HB 1655 - Delegate Carrico's companion bill to Senator Smith's bill above.

HB 1851 - Delegate Lingamfelter's bill that exempts active duty military from handgun rationing (one gun-a-month).

HB 2144 - Delegate Nutter's bill codifying Attorney General McDonald's opinion that the State Police cannot release the list of concealed handgun permit holders. The information however would still be available through local circuit courts but they only have the list of CHP holders in that particular locality.

HB 2528 - Delegate Cole's bill that require localities that wish to operate a compensated gun confiscation program (gun buybacks) that they have to pass an ordinance to that effect and that they will have to offer the guns taken for sale to an FFL or dispose of them in some other legal manner. As introduced, it was mandated that the guns be sold to an FFL but Senator Stolle weakened the bill allowing localities to continue destroying the guns rather than offer them for sale. While the bill is not what we would have likes, it does place some much needed sunshine on these schemes and before participating in such a scheme, taxpayers would have prior notice as there is a public procedure to pass a new ordinance.

We also defeated all of the bad gun bills that were introduced this year. First and foremost, we defeated Senator Marsh's perennial bill attacking private sale of firearms at gun shows. We also stopped a 150% increase in the tax on gun owners charged for running background checks. A complete list of bills that were defeated, as well as some good bills that never made it out of the House committee to which they were assigned, can be found here.