Buy at Cabela's - Support VSSA

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Is NRA A Paper Tiger?

That's what Connecticut Democrat U.S. Senator Christopher Murphy told reporters in a telephone press conference covered by Roll Call earlier this week and he is not the first to make the claim.  Their reasoning is because the NRA spent so much money in 2012 and Obama won and several high profile U.S. Senate candidates lost, that the NRA's clout is overblown.
Murphy said his goal is to debunk “the continuing mythology about the power of the NRA” and to convince his colleagues on both sides of the aisle that “there is nothing to fear” from the NRA. He pointed to a Sunlight Foundation analysis showing that the NRA’s PAC spent more than $11 million in the 2012 elections but enjoyed a less than 1 percent return on its investment. Sunlight determined that many of the races in which the NRA spent the most money did not go its way.
I would assert that a number of factors played a role in Obama's victory, and we all know what sunk Todd Akin and Richard Murdock's campaigns.  The fact that Romney failed to turn out as many voters as McCain did in 2008 played a key role in his defeat.  And as Sebastian  over at Shall Not Be Questioned pointed out not long after the election, more than a few gun owners did not trust Romney and Obama largely ignored the gun issue with the exception of the one comment in a debate.

The most disgusting part is that people like Murphy and Mayors Against Illegal Guns (MAIG) view the Sandy Hook shooting in a political light, using it to advance a decade old agenda that has been gathering dust, waiting for just the right tragedy to be dusted off.  Murphy and Mark Glaze of MAIG said on the call that Newtown has spawned well financed new groups to counter the NRA and have changed the politics.  Really?  Look at all of the articles reporting on yesterday's Senate hearing and almost every single one notes that the only consensus seems to be focused on changes to background checks and that the chances for legislation targeting so-called "assault weapons" and ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds appear to be dimming.  Even the White House seems to just be mouthing support for such legislation.

George Washington University law and history professor Robert Cottrel commenting to Roll Call that reports of the NRA's demise are greatly exagerated:
“I would be very cautious” about dismissing the NRA, Cottrol said, noting that Democrats leveled similar charges before enacting an assault weapons ban two decades ago, only to see Republicans seize House control in 1994. “Because essentially we heard the same drumbeat in ’92, ’93 and ’94, and it turned out to be totally false.”
One final note, in the same post by Sebastion referenced above, he suggested that if the NRA's power really is waning, it is because gun owners have become complacent and are going back to sleep.  He's right. The NRA is not Wayne LaPierre and that glass building on Rt. 50 in Fairfax.  It's millions of gun owners, including both those who choose to pay dues, and those who support the fundamental right to keep and bear arms but for whatever reason don't stroke a check for dues.  If we don't get out and vote and work against those who would take away our rights, we lose. 

I think we can say that gun owners have been awakened.  NRA membership has increased by 250,000 new members based on a number of reports. Closer to home, VSSA's membership has increased 10% since the talk of new gun control began. When gun owners see a serious threat, they respond.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Debate Spirited at RTD Public Square on Guns

Last night's Richmond Times Dispatch Public Square "Do Guns Make Us Safer" included strong views on both sides reports the RTD.

After a discussion of polling data and a description of firearm definitions by an instructor from Colonial Shooting Academy, the debate began. Some disagreed with the poll showing a large percentage of gun owners favor background checks on buyers at gun shows, and some thought the discussion led by the Colonial instructor was "gun propaganda."

Anti-rights advocate Andrew Goddard left without speaking because he did not like the "pro-gun/anti-gun format.
“It’s not pro-gun and anti-gun,” Goddard said. “I’m not anti-gun, but I’m anti-proliferation with no restrictions.”
Not surprised that an anti-rights advocate dislikes being tagged with that label. Doesn't fit their narrative.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Senate Judiciary Hearing: “What Should America Do About Gun Violence”

The Senate Judiciary Committee of the U.S. Senate will hold a hearing on "gun violence" tomorrow.  On the witness list are Captain Mark Kelly USN (Ret.), the husband of  former Representative Gabrielle Giffords and now head of the anti-rights group Americans for Responsible Solutions; Nicolas Johnson, Proffessor of Law at Fordham University School of Law; Baltimore Police Cheif James Johnson; Independent Women's Forum's Gayle Trotter; and NRA Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre.

The hearing will be web cast and begins at 10:00 tomorrow morning.

Monday, January 28, 2013

We Told You Sporting Rifles Were Just The Beginning

New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly writes in the New York Post:
While assault rifles serve no legitimate hunting purpose, and their ban would be a welcome advance after the Newtown slaughter, illegal handguns remain the weapon of choice for killers and other criminals in New York City.
And he continues to blame other states for the crime in his city:
Ninety percent of the guns used in crimes in New York City also originated out of state, with Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida among the most frequent repeat states of origin.
Commissioner Kelly, there are a lot of people who hunt with the rifles you would like to ban.

Commissioner Kelly, please educate yourself on topics on which you wish to pontificate before wasting valuable print space.

Obama Continues Campaign Style Photo Ops to Push Gun Control

Today's CQ Roll Call Daily Briefing reports that Obama added a photo-op session with selected law enforcement leadership to his schedule to keep the Newtown shooting in the forefront of the public's mind. He hopes the pubic will in turn apply pressure to congress to pass his gun control agenda.
Obama and Biden are meeting in the Roosevelt Room now with a group of police chiefs and county sheriffs, including the top cops in the three places with the past year’s most highly publicized mass shootings: Newtown, Conn. (26 murdered at an elementary school in December); Aurora, Colo. (12 murdered at the movies in July); and Oak Creek, Wis. (six killed at a Sikh temple in August).

The telegenic session was added to the president’s schedule just this morning as part of his effort to maintain public sentiment in favor of the most ambitious aspects of his gun control agenda: legislation establishing universal background checks for weapons buyers, banning military-style rifles and outlawing large-capacity ammunition clips. (The only public event on Obama’s schedule would otherwise have been a photo-op with the NBA champion Miami Heat in the East Room at 1:40.)

With a month and a half having passed since the school shooting, and at least one recent poll indicating the public has more pressing concerns than gun control, expect the President to continue these type of campaign style photo-ops and events in an attempt to keep the public focused on his agenda.

Barack Obama: I Go Shooting All The Time

Really?  The President continues to show he has no idea what the 2nd Amendment is all about.  To him, it's about hunting and skeet shooting.
"Up at Camp David, we do skeet shooting all the time," he said. "And I have a profound respect for the traditions of hunting that trace back in this country for generations.

Few Limitations on Carrying Firearms in Virginia

Today the Richmond Times Dispatch has this article noting that all of the anti-rights bills have been defeated in the General Assembly this year (even before we are half-way through the session it should be noted) and that overall, there are few limits on carrying firearms in Virginia.
With a few exceptions, Virginia prohibits firearms in air carrier airport terminals, courthouses, schools and churches during a worship service. Three sets of people may bring weapons into the General Assembly Building or the state Capitol — legislators, law enforcement officers or people with concealed-carry permits. The state Senate also bars a variety of weapons in the gallery, whether or not the owner has a concealed-carry permit.
That's pretty much it.  If you are 18, you may carry openly and if you are 21 you may carry concealed handguns.  The Code does have limits when it comes to carrying certain rifles in public in certain locations.
One section of the state code does reflect differing views about firearms in more populous areas of the state as opposed to less populous rural communities. In 13 of the state’s most populous cities and counties, including Richmond and Henrico County, it is unlawful to carry in public a loaded semi-automatic center-fire rifle or pistol that is equipped with a magazine that will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition; designed to accommodate a silencer; or equipped with a folding stock.

That code section has a number of exceptions — for law enforcement officers, security guards, military personnel, people with concealed-carry permits, and those who lawfully are hunting or taking part in recreational shooting activities.
I'm sure those limits would keep a criminal from using those specific firearms in a crime if they were so inclined.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Richmond Times Dispatch Holding Public Squire on Firearms

On Tuesday, January 29, the Richmond Times Dispatch will hold a Public Squire on the topic "Do Guns Make Us Safer?"  The forum will be held at the RTD headquarters at 300 E. Franklin St., Richmond and will run from 7:00 - 8:30.  According to the RTD:
The 44th Times-Dispatch Public Square will explore the role of guns in America with the backdrop of legislative debates and national tragedies.

We'll examine the views of Virginians, based on the latest extensive polling.

We'll explain what constitutes an assault weapon.

We'll discuss the best ways to protect our schools - and our privacy.
The forum is free but advance registration is required because they expect a large crowd. As of 2:45 Saturday afternoon, there were 30 tickets remaining.

One unfortunate note, even though the RTD editorial page is pro-rights, the RTD has a policy of not allowing firearms in the building or grounds at 300 East Franklin Street and ask that guests to the forum "respect their workplace rules." Sadly, with such a policy, the attendees may be heavily slanted to the anti-rights side of the issue.  A number of pro-rights folks who might otherwise wish to attend will likely not want to be disarmed in downtown Richmond after dark (or any other time for that matter).

Joe Biden Said Background Checks Are Important Because of Virginia Tech Shooter

At the end of the below NBC29 story on yesterday's meeting that Joe Biden held on gun control at VCU, they reference Biden's comment regarding how important background checks are because of the Virginia Tech shooter.  Biden said he should not have been able to get a firearm.  Problem is, the shooter did undergo background checks before purchasing his firearms.  It was a breakdown in the court system, not the lack of a background check that allowed the shooter to get the firearms he used in the attack.
NBC29 WVIR Charlottesville, VA News, Sports and Weather
Since then, the law has changed at both the state and federal level to enhance the mental health information reported to the National Instant Background Check System (NICS). Virginia, by-the-way, leads the nation in reporting mental health information to the NICS.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Biden Visit Set for VCU Student Commons Building at 11:00AM

VSSA has learned the location of Vice President Biden's visit to Richmond.  He will hold court at the VCU Student Commons Building located at 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond.  As previously posted, he will be there at 11:00.  It would be great if some pro-rights folks could be there to show support for our rights.  This is a very unorganized effort on short notice and we understand tomorrow is a work day.  Any show of support for freedom will likely get coverage.

Biden Coming to VCU to Lead Roundtable Discussion on Gun Bans

Yesterday it was announced that Vice President Joe Biden was coming to Richmond to push Obama's agenda for a ban on standard capacity ammunition magazines and modern sporting rifles.  We have now learned via the Richmond Times Dispatch that he will lead a "Roundtable Discussion of Administration officials, Congressman Bobby Scott, and new Virginia U.S. Senator Tim Kaine.
Biden will be joined at the 11 a.m. roundtable by Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano; Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius; Deputy U.S. Attorney General Jim Cole; Sen. Timothy M. Kaine, D-Va.; and Rep. Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, D-3rd.
As soon as VSSA learns the exact location (the current guess is the Seigel Center as they have meeting rooms) it will be posted here, on Twitter and the VSSA Facebook page.

HB2340 Reported from MP&P Subcommittee #2

This morning, Militia Police and Public Safety Committee Subcommittee #2 reported HB2340 to the full committee on a vote of 5-3.  HB2340 is Delegate Marshall's bill that prevents any state agency or polictial subdivision from assisting the Federal government in any investigation, prosecution, detention, arrest, search, or seizure, under the authority of any federal statute enacted, or Executive Order or regulation issued, after December 31, 2012, infringing the individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms by imposting new restrictions on private ownership or private transfer of firearms, firearm magazines, ammunition, or components.  The bill now moves to the full committee which meets tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Marsh Gun Show Bill Dies, For Now

SB1001, Senator Henry Marsh's annual bill to require background checks on private sales at gun shows went down to defeat today but not before there was some last minute attempts to save it from certain defeat.  Last Friday, a scheme was hatched to prohibit private sales at gun shows.  The only way a private seller could transfer a firearm at a gun show was if it was consigned to an FFL.  For all intent and purposes, it banned private sales.  That version was passed and rereferred to Senate Finance but about an hour later, Senator Bill Stanley who had abandoned his pro-rights position and voted for the substitute, had second thoughts.  He asked that the committee convene on the Senate floor and the bill was recommitted to Senate Courts of Justice.

VSSA's lobbyist reported that Stanley was still trying to work out a compromise today, this time to have a private seller kiosk at gun shows where background checks could be conducted. This AP story confirms that report and gives more detail that our lobbyist could pass along in a quick email.
Stanley said the compromise that he and others will be working on in the coming year would require gun show promoters to create a kiosk where buyers could voluntarily submit to a background check to purchase from individuals who want to sell only to customers who are legally entitled to own a gun. Details, including how the kiosk would be staffed, have yet to be determined.
Not sure that voluntary background checks are going to satisfy the antis.  It is clear that people like Richmond Senator Don McEachin want a ban on all private sales.

Long Afternoon in Senate Courts to Include Three Firearm Bills

Senate Courts of Justice will meet a 1/2 after the Senate adjourns.  They have three firearm bills on the long docket.

Senate Bill 1001 - Richmond State Senator Henry Marsh's annual attack on gun shows that requires a background check on all private firearm transfers at a gun show.  Under current law, only licensed dealers must obtain such a check. (VSSA opposes)

This bill went through some lengthy discussion last Friday, was amendmened with a substitute to require that only FFLs could transfer firearms at gun shows (private owners would have to consign their firearms to dealers if they wanted to sell them at the show).  The substitute passed but then Republican Bill Stanley, who voted for the substitute, had second thoughts and about an hour after the bill was reported and referred to Senate Finance, the committee convened on the floor of the Senate to reconsider the vote.  It was then referred back to Senate Courts of Justice.  Stanley usually supports the pro rights position. The Legislative Information System does not indicate any of the activity that took place Friday.

Senate Bill 1299 - Provides that certain criminal history record information and protective order registry information shall be made available to the Attorney General of the United States for the purposes of using the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to determine a person's eligibility to possess or receive a firearm under state or federal law.  (VSSA supports)

Senate Bill 1363 - Provides that residency for members of the armed forces for the purposes of firearms purchases in the Commonwealth shall include both the member's permanent duty post and the nearby state in which the member resides and from which he commutes to the permanent duty post. (VSSA supports)

It may be early evening before we know the outcome but VSSA will post on Twitter and here when the bills are taken up.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Senator William Stanley Abandoned Gun Owners on Gun Show Vote

As detailed in VSSA's legislative update emailed out earlier today the busy morning in Senate Courts of Justice defeated most all of the anti-rights legislation except one - the so-called "gun show loophole" bill.  Two bills were combined into one and then anti-rights Senator Donald McEachin offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to require private sellers to consign their firearms to an FFL in order to sell them at a gun.  This is burdensome not only to the private seller, but also to FFLs, who are (rightly) more concerned with their own livelihood than trying to sell someone else firearm.

This would not have happened if Delegate William Stanley from southwest Virginia had not abandoned gun owners.  It was expected that committee chairman Thomas Norment would vote for the bill because he has done so in the past.  But if Stanley had not voted for the bill, it would have died 7-7. Even after casting the vote, the Times Dispatch reported that he was already back peddling.
Even Stanley, a conservative Republican from Southwest Virginia, backpedalled somewhat after the vote, saying the bill needs work and he needs to see it in its final version before deciding whether to continue to support it.

“The concept I support,” he said, noting that the legislation would not restrict the private sales of guns outside of gun shows. He called it “a work in progress.”
The bill now goes to Senate Finance to determine if it has a fiscal impact.  If it clears the finance committee, it will head to the floor where the vote will be close.  Please contact Senator Stanley and politely but firmly let him know how disappointed you are with his vote and to urge him to vote no on SB1001 if he is has the opportunity to vote on the bill again.

Tim Kaine Thinks Word "Nullify" is "Anti-Government Rhetoric"

Mark Levin shared this nugget on his program last night courtesy of CNN where Virginia's new junior senator Tim Kaine says that Kentucky Senator Rand Paul's use of the word "nullify" in describing what should be done by congress to respond to Obama's overreach of power with executive action.


Levin said "thank God" Kaine is just a "slip and fall lawyer" after demonstrating Kaine's knowledge of the Constitution is obviously limited. Unfortunately, before taking over Jim Webb's senate seat, Kaine was teaching law classes at the University of Richmond Law School.

There was a lot to dislike about Jim Webb, but he voted for our rights the few times he had the opportunity.  Sadly he abandon gun owners and supported an anti-rights candidate like Tim Kaine to take over his seat in the U.S. Senate.  Now we have both Kaine and Warner who will support the president's call to ban modern sporting rifles.

This Is What Happens When You Rush Legislation

Appears that in their hastes to be the first legislative body to all but completely strip the Second Amendment rights from their citizens, it appears the New York legislature and governor forgot to exempt police from those banned from carrying standard capacity magazines. So reports ABC Eyewitness News 7.  But don't worry, they're going to fix it for those serving and for retired police.
A spokesman for the governor's office called Eyewitness News to say, "We are still working out some details of the law and the exemption will be included, currently no police officer is in violation."
VSSA believes that police should have all the tools they need to do their jobs and keep them safe.  But you and I should have the same ability to protect our homes and families.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Results of Tonight's Militia, Police and Public Safety Subcommittee 1

A good night in tonight's subcommittee meeting. The results are below. The bills reported will be heard in full committee tomorrow morning.

H.B. 1326 Concealed handgun permits; firearms safety courses. Failed
Patron: Torian
Concealed handgun permit; firearms safety course. Eliminates certain firearms safety courses the completion of which currently satisfies the requirement that all resident and nonresident applicants for a concealed handgun permit demonstrate competence with a handgun. The bill also requires that certain firearms safety courses that satisfy this requirement focus primarily on the use and handling of a concealed handgun.

H.B. 1391 Possession of handguns in legislative buildings. Amended and referred to the Rules Committee.
Patron: Hope
Possession of weapons in state legislative buildings. Prohibits the possession of weapons in legislative buildings except by any person who lawfully possesses a handgun. The provisions of the bill would not apply to General Assembly members or staff or to any law-enforcement officer.

H.B. 1410 Firearms; possession of weapons following conviction of certain crimes, penalty. Passed by for the day.
Patron: Scott, J.M.
Possession of firearms following conviction of certain crimes; penalty. Prohibits any person who is convicted of stalking, sexual battery, or assault and battery of a family member that results in serious bodily injury from possessing, transporting, or carrying a firearm or any other weapon for a period of five years following his conviction. A violation would constitute a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides for the forfeiture of any weapon possessed, transported, or carried in violation of the prohibition. Finally, the bill provides for a process by which a violator may petition the circuit court for a reinstatement of his rights to possess, transport, or carry a weapon.

H.B. 1557 School boards; training for persons designated to carry concealed handguns on school property. Referred to the Governor's Task Force on School Safety.
Patron: Marshall, R.G.
School boards; employee firearms training. Requires every school board in the Commonwealth to designate at least one qualified person for every school in the district who, upon application with the school board, may carry a concealed handgun on school property. The bill requires all designated persons, including certain school division employees, certain school volunteers who carry valid concealed handgun permits, and certain retired law-enforcement officers, to be certified and trained by the Virginia Center for School Safety or the National Rifle Association in the storage, use, and handling of a concealed handgun. The bill also outlines the training requirements for designated persons as designed by the Department of Criminal Justice Services.

H.B. 1662 Libraries; locality to adopt an ordinance that prohibits firearms, ammunition, etc. in. Failed
Patron: BaCote
Control of firearms; libraries owned or operated by localities. Allows a locality to adopt an ordinance that prohibits firearms, ammunition, or components, or a combination thereof, in libraries owned or operated by the locality.

H.B. 1679 Concealed handgun permit; exception retired investigator of security division of Lottery Department. Recommend for reporting.
Patron: O'Quinn
Concealed handgun permit; retired investigator of the State Lottery Department; exception. Provides an exception for a concealed handgun permit for a qualifying retired investigator of the security division of the State Lottery Department. The bill contains technical amendments.

H.B. 1693 Firearms; removes specific exception for possession on public school property, penalty. Failed
Patron: Kory
Possession of firearm on public school property; penalty. Removes the specific exception for a person who possesses an unloaded firearm that is in a closed container, or a knife having a metal blade of three inches or longer, in or upon a motor vehicle located at any elementary, middle, or high school or an unloaded shotgun or rifle in a firearms rack in or upon a motor vehicle located at any elementary, middle, or high school from the list of exceptions for possessing a weapon on school property, which when violated is a Class 6 felony.

H.B. 2025 Firearms; requires background check for any purchase. Failed
Patron: Hope
Sale of firearms; penalty. Requires a background check for any firearm purchase and requires the Department of State Police to establish a process for sellers to obtain such a check from licensed firearm dealers. A seller who fails to obtain such a check and sells the gun to any other person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

H.B. 2207 Sale, transfer, etc., of certain firearms and firearms magazines; penalty. Failed
Patron: Morrissey
Sale, transfer, etc., of certain firearms and firearms magazines; penalty. Provides that a person who imports, sells, barters, or transfers an assault firearm is guilty of a Class 6 felony. The bill also provides that a person who imports, sells, barters, or transfers a firearms magazine that is designed to hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. Finally, the bill provides an exception from both penalties for law-enforcement officers and military personnel.

No Slowing in Virginia Gun Sales

The Richmond Times Dispatch reports that gun sales in Virginia continue tobe, to use their term "Brisk."
“There’s just an unbelievable demand for product right now,” said Ed Coleman, general manager of Colonial Shooting Academy in Henrico County. “We can’t seem to keep inventory in stock (and) can’t get it fast enough for demand.”
Coleman said his best selling items, not unlike the rest of the country, are semiautomatic rifles and ammunition.

In Typical Joe Morrissey Fashion, Delegate Brings Rifle Onto House Floor

The Richmond Times Dispatch reports that during today's floor session of the House of Delegates, Richmond Delegate Joe Morrissey brought a semi-auto rifle to use as a prop during the Morning Hour
speeches.
Morrissey is no stranger to controversey and theatrics having lost his law license in 2003 for beating another individual.  He previously served as Commonwealth Attorney for the City of Richmond.

Morrissey's bill banning modern sporting rifles and standard capacity magazines is on the docket of this afternoon's Militia Police and Public Safety Subcommittee #1.

Senate Courts to Take Up Firearm Related Bills

There is a busy morning scheduled for Senate Courts of Justice tomorrow morning.  The bills on the docket include:

Patron: Marsden
Use of firearm in commission of crime; civil liability. This bill makes you civilly liable for injury if your firearm is stolen and used in a crime if you did not "adequately secure the firearm from theft or unauthorized possession."

Patron: Marsden
Creates a $250 civil penalty for failing to report to law enforcement that a firearm you own has been lost or stolen.

Patron: Howell
One of the annual "Gun Show Loophole" bill.  Adds a definition of "firearms show vendor" and requires that a background check be performed on the prospective transferee before the private seller may transfer firearms at a gun show. Under current law, only licensed dealers must obtain such a check. The bill also requires that the promoter of a firearms show provide vendors with access to licensed dealers who will conduct the criminal history record information check.

Patron: Ebbin
Makes the victim of the crime of a stolen firearm a double victim by failing to report to law enforcement within 24 hours of the time you "should have known" that the firearm has been stolen.  You would be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor, and is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor for a second or subsequent violation. The bill also provides that a person who knowingly files a false report of a lost or stolen firearm is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Patron: Marsh
Another so-called "gun show loophole" bill.  Adds a definition of "firearms show vendor" and requires that a background check be performed on the prospective transferee before the private seller may transfer firearms at a gun show. The bill also requires that the promoter of a firearms show provide vendors with access to licensed dealers who will conduct the criminal history record information check.

Patron: Ebbin
Possession of handguns in legislative buildings. Prohibits the possession of a firearm in Capitol Square, including the Capitol and other buildings predominantly used to conduct the business of the General Assembly. The Capitol Police are required to screen persons entering the Capitol or the General Assembly Building. The prohibition would not apply to members of the General Assembly or to law-enforcement officers.

Patron: McEachin
Senator McEachin's second attempt to bann all private transfers of firearms.  Creates a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person who is not a licensed dealer to sell, rent, trade, or transfer a firearm to any other person who is not a licensed dealer. The bill also creates a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person who is not a licensed dealer to buy, rent, trade, or transfer a firearm from any other person who is not a licensed dealer.

Patron: McEachin
Bans sale and transfer of standard capacity magazines.  Prohibits any person from selling, bartering, or transferring a firearms magazine designed to hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. A violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor. The bill prohibits a person from carrying semi-automatic center-fire firearms with more than 10 rounds of ammunition in a public place; under existing law this prohibition applies only in certain localities and only to such firearms if the firearm holds more than 20 rounds of ammunition. The bill redefines "assault firearm" in the Code section that prohibits noncitizens and persons not lawfully admitted for permanent residence from possessing assault firearms and in the Code section that prohibits dealers from transferring an assault firearm to such persons by reducing the number of rounds of ammunition that the magazine will hold from more than 20 to more than 10. The rounds of ammunition are also reduced from more than 20 to more than 10 in the section that makes it unlawful for a person younger than 18 years of age to possess an assault firearm.

Patron: Saslaw
Repeals Virginia's pre-emption law.  Repeals provisions preventing localities from adopting ordinances and taking administrative actions regarding firearms and authorizes localities to adopt ordinances that prohibit firearms, ammunition, or components, or a combination thereof, on property owned or leased by a locality.

Patron: Ebbin
Requires all sales, including private firearms sale to undergo background checks.  Requires the Department of State Police to establish a process for sellers to obtain such a check from licensed firearm dealers. A seller who fails to obtain such a check and sells the gun to any other person is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Patron: Deeds
Requires a background check for any firearm purchase and requires the Department of State Police to establish a process for sellers to obtain such a check from licensed firearm dealers. A seller who fails to obtain such a check and sells the gun to someone who is prohibited from possessing a firearm by state or federal law is guilty of a Class 6 felony.

Please contact the following members of the committee and urge them to oppose all of the above legislation:


VSSA's lobbying team has been working with legislators in both the House and the Senate to insure your rights are protected.  The Senate is of special importance as some members of the Courts Committee vote with us sometimes and not at other times.  Please contact them today and politely let them know that law abiding gun owners are the only people that would be affected by the above legislation and that none of the proposals would prevent crime.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

NRA: The Fight of the Century

That's what the Washington Post reported was in a letter circulated by the NRA at the Shooting Hunting Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show in Las Vegas today.

It seems the media can't get the purpose of the SHOT Show right though.  In reporting that the show draws "60,000 gun enthusiasts" they give the impression that it is an open show.  SHOT show is only open to those engaged in the industry.  The average gun owner or sportsman cannot attend.

As to the NRA's assertion, I'd say they are right.

It Begins Today

At 11:45 this morning, surrounded by children that the White House says sent letters asking for more gun control, Barack Obama is expected to unveil a list of measures that include a ban on so-called "assault weapons" and other restrictions that would not have stopped the shooting in Newtown last December.  In an article in online version of The Hill this morning, this add from Mayors Against Illegal Guns popped up on my screen.

Last night while watching Cam and Company on the Sportsman Channel, this NRA Ad aired:

You can embed this video from the NRAStand and Fight web site.

So, we begin a battle where Bloomberg will spend an unlimited amount of money to mislead the American people about commonly used firearms. It is up to us whether the NRA will be able to match Bloomberg and the Obama campaign apparatus, which will also be cranked up to persuade the American people. Are you in for the fight or will you stay on the sidelines and watch your rights be destroyed?

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

2016 Democratic Hopefuls View Gun Control As Winning Issue

It is sickening that politicians take an event like the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and decide that now they can use gun control to advance their career opportunities.  Democrats who have designs on the White House in 2016 have determined they have a "winning issue."  This from the Washington Post :
In Maryland, Gov. Martin O’Malley rolled out a sweeping plan Monday to ban military-style firearms and ammunition clips as well as overhaul mental health and school safety programs.
In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo reached agreement with state lawmakers to enact measures including the country’s toughest assault weapons ban, saying that “no one needs 10 bullets to kill a deer.”
And it's not just politicians in states known to be friendly to gun control.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is pushing to mandate universal background checks on all gun sales — a controversial move in a Western state where gun enthusiasts usually hold sway.


Obama to Announce Gun Control Plans Wednesday

The Washington Post reports:
President Obama will unveil a sweeping set of gun-control proposals at midday Wednesday, including an assault weapons ban, universal background checks and limits on the number of bullets magazines can hold, according to sources familiar with the plans.
The announcement, to be delivered at the White House, is also expected to include a slate of up to 19 executive actions that the Obama administration can take on its own to attempt to limit gun violence.  The White House has invited key lawmakers as well as gun-control advocates to appear at Wednesday’s policy rollout, according to two officials who have been invited to the event.
It makes no difference to Obama that none of the things being proposed would have stopped the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.  According to The Hill some legislators doubt Obama's proposals will make it through Congress.  But Obama is undeterred: 
Obama shrugged off the doubts saying, instead, his priority with the proposals is to push for what's necessary.
No, his priority is to take advantage of a perceived crisis and give the gun ban lobby its long laundry list of proposals that it has wanted enacted into law for years.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Is Walmart About to Sell Us Out?

Rush Limbaugh mentioned on his show today that Walmart is going to let current supplies of ammunition sell out and then not purchase more.  Walmart is denying it. Sebastian over at Shall Not Be Questioned suggests that if you see Walmart stores being approved in New York and Chicago where they have had resistance to necessary approvals, you'll know what they got for selling us out.

Obama Confirms He Will Use Executive Power to Get Gun Control

From today's press conference:

Is Mark Warner Following Joe Manchin in Walking Back Commits on Gun Bans

Shortly after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Virginia U.S. Senator Mark Warner followed West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin in suggesting he may be open to banning semi-automatic modern sporting rifles (commonly inaccurately called "assault weapons").  This letter forwarded by a VSSA member makes you wonder if he is also now trying to walk back those comments like Senator Manchin since Warner makes no mention of gun bans in the response.

From: "Sen. Mark Warner's Office"
Date: Jan 11, 2013 4:51:50 PM
Subject: Responding to your message
To: ______________

Dear Mr. __________,
 
Thank you for contacting me to share your thoughts on the tragic events in Newtown, Connecticut and your views on gun control.
 
On December 14, 2012, 20 innocent children and six adults lost their lives in one of the worst, most tragic shootings to ever occur in the United States. As a parent of three daughters, this was the ultimate nightmare. Like the Virginia Tech and Columbine shootings, this tragedy unfolded in what was once regarded as a safe haven free of crime and violence: a school.
 
I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment constitutional right of law-abiding citizens to keep and bear arms. I own firearms and I have an "A" rating from the National Rifle Association. However, I also recognize that, like with many of our constitutional rights, our Second Amendment rights are not without limits. It is unfortunate that a tragedy of this magnitude is what is needed to prompt action, but we need to have a serious discussion on how to best avoid these kinds of mass shootings in the future. The status quo is not acceptable.
 
I believe our discussion should cover many issues. We can start by improving the existing criminal background check system. Currently, the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) is woefully incomplete, with many states failing to submit available records on persons who may be disqualified from purchasing or possessing firearms. With a more complete background check system, we can keep firearms out of the hands of those who have been deemed unfit to possess them.
 
In addition, we can take common sense measures such as passing the CAMPUS Safety Act (S. 3682), which I introduced last year. That bill would establish a national center for campus public safety within the Department of Justice to serve as a resource center and assist schools and universities in developing campus safety plans and threat assessment tools. We also need to look at changes to our mental health system so we can provide help to those with dangerous mental illnesses before it is too late. There will not be a single solution, but all of these issues and others need to be part of the conversation and I urge you to continue to express your views as we move forward.
 
Again, thank you for contacting me. For further information or to sign up for my newsletter please visit my website at http://warner.senate.gov.
 
Sincerely,
MARK R. WARNER
United States Senator


Please continue to contact Senator Warner and make your views heard that you oppose any new restrictions on our rights.

Saturday, January 12, 2013

Castle Doctrine Back at General Assembly

Last year, legislation to codify the Castle Doctrine got farther than it has ever gotten, passing both the House of Delegates and the State Senate in some form, before dying in the House after the Senate amended the bill introduced by Delegate Dickie Bell.  Unfortunately, there was a split among the pro-rights community as to the need of the bill.  Virginia is not a "Duty to Retreat" state by Common Law, but, as Delegate Bell told NBC 29 TV of Charlottesville, common law is open to intrepretation, which is why he put in the bill.

This year Delegate Anne Crockett-Stark has reintroduced the bill in the form that it passed the Senate last year.  House Bill 1415 It simply states:
Any occupant of a dwelling using physical force, including deadly physical force as provided in this section, shall be immune from civil liability for injuries or death of the other person who has unlawfully entered the dwelling that results from the use of such force.
In the interview below, Delegate Bell mentioned that some other groups tried to co-op his legislation last year.  VSSA was not one of those groups.  As with Delegate Bell's legislation last year, VSSA supports Delegate Stark's legislation.





Friday, January 11, 2013

Biden, White House to Do End Run Around NRA

With the NRA expressing disappointment that all the Obama Administration is talking about are measures that will do nothing to protect our children, Biden and his band of merry men are ready to attempt an end run around the NRA and America's gun owners, reaching out to churches, medical groups, retailers and the Rotary Club to build support for new gun control.  This from Salon via Politico:

Biden has made a point of highlighting the broad diversity of organizations now backing the White House gun efforts, telling the NRA and other gun owner organizations in a meeting Thursday that “all of a sudden there is a different attitude” from groups not previously invested in gun control, according to Richard Feldman, who attended the session and is president of the Independent Firearm Owners Association.
In Biden’s public remarks Thursday, he emphasized the extent of his panel’s outreach to groups from fields including medicine, law, education, mental health, religious groups and social service outlets such as the Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.
I was in a fast food restaurant this morning and had a conversation with some folks on this issue and had to correct a well meaning elderly women who thought that the firearm used in the Newtown shooting was a "machine gun."  She was honestly surprised to learn that it wasn't and that it is very very difficult to purchase such a firearm.
We need to take every opportunity to educate our friends, family members, and acquaintances because they are being fed a crock of crap by the media and the gun ban lobby.
Oh, and apparently, with the demise of the astroturf group American Hunters and Shooters Association, another astroturf group has replaced them, the Independent Firearm Owners Association.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

This is Why Every Gun Owner Must Call Their Legislator

This Washington Post article on the new campaign to change attitudes on firearms (or as AG Eric Holder might say - brainwash) is a perfect example of why every gun owner must call their congressman and U.S. Senators.  Not once, but at least once a week until we have won this battle:
A trial run for the burgeoning campaign came this week when the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence ran hard-hitting ads in North Dakota and Capitol Hill newspapers against Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), who said Sunday that some of the gun measures Obama is considering are “extreme.” After the ads — which told Heitkamp “Shame on you” — the freshman senator’s office issued a statement opening the door to supporting some gun-control measures.
The other side is doing all they can to scare previously pro-rights legislators into betraying our rights.  They will not stop.  Will you counter them now and call your congressman and senators today?




Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Emily Miller Tells the Blaze that James J. Baker will Represent NRA at Biden Meeting

Biden Comfirms Executive Action to be Used

Via The Weekly Standard:
"The president is going to act," said Biden, giving some comments to the press before a meeting with victims of gun violence. "There are executives orders, there's executive action that can be taken. We haven't decided what that is yet. But we're compiling it all with the help of the attorney general and the rest of the cabinet members as well as legislative action that we believe is required."
More proof that we are living in what Mark Levin calls a "post Constitutional era."

Talk of Confiscation: First It Was New York, Now it is Iowa

From the Daily Caller:
In an interview with the Daily Times Herald in Caroll, Iowa, state Rep. Dan Muhlbauer said governments should start confiscating semi-automatic rifles and other firearms.

Muhlbauer, a Democrat from the western Iowa town of Manilla, is a cattleman and farmer. The newspaper reported that he owns a .410 shotgun, a .22 rifle and a .22 pistol.

“We cannot have big guns out here as far as the big guns that are out here, the semi-automatics and all of them,” Muhlbauer told the newspaper during a December 19 audiotaped interview. “We can’t have those running around out here. Those are not hunting weapons.”
Rep. Muhlbauer, I suggest you check out this video.

Just a little note, states are not the only folks talking about confiscation in some form as an option. At the appropriate time, VSSA will have more on that.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Anti-Rights Side Mounts Offensive Strike

CQ Roll Call Daily Briefing reports that in the hope of keeping the public's attention squaring on their goal of massive restrictions on our rights, the gun ban crowd launched a two prong offensive today.  First, for the first time since resigning her seat in Congress, former Representative Gabby Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly took to USA Today to announce the creation of Americans for Responsible Solutions, with the goal of raising gobs of money to try and counter the pro-rights side.  Second, Mayor Bloomberg and his band of merry mayors took to the airwaves with an appeal from the mother of a 9-year-old daughter child who was killed in the Tucson shooting. 

The same report notes that Biden's group of gun ban proponents has meetings planned for tomorrow with gun ban organizations and groups representing victims of gun violence; on Thursday with gun ownership advocates and sportsmens’ groups; and on Friday with Hollywood and video-game lobbyists. To give the appearance that this is all about more than gun control, CQ also mentions that Education Secretary Arne Duncan is meeting with parent and teacher groups, and HHS chief Kathleen Sebelius is meeting with mental health experts.

Regarding that supposed Thursday meeting of "gun ownership advocates and sportsmen groups, a call came in to the VSSA office a producer at CNN's Washington Bureau.  He said that he, and everyone else at CNN are trying to find out exactly who are the "gun rights" groups invited to the meeting.  According to this producer, their sources cannot identify any such groups, and that NRA, GOA, etc have told them they have not been invited, and can't get an answer from the people hosting the meeting.

Folks, we need to make sure our representatives who are our friends do not get weak kneed.  This past Sunday, Gun Talk's Tom Gresham announced Operation Gun Rights, where he asked everyone to call and email your two senators and representative in Congress every week for the next eight weeks and politely let them know we're the good guys, we don't commit crimes, and gun control does not stop criminals, so I am opposed to any and all gun control.  We all need to make calls, send emails, and write letters (understanding that it takes three weeks for a letter to get through the system).

Update: The Hill reports that NRA and a variety of other groups  will meet with Biden on Thursday.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Bank of America at it Again?

Remember when Bank of America gave McMillan Arms the boot because, apparently, they were in the firearms business?  Well, it appears BOA has struck again, this time the target is American Spirit Arms.  This via The Truth About Guns:
What we have experienced is that our web site orders have jumped 500 % causing our web site E commerce processing larger Deposits to BANK OF AMERICA ..Well, this through up a huge RED Flag with Bank of America . So they decided to hold the deposits for further review , meaning that the orders/payments that were coming in through the web ,( being paid by the customer and that were shipped out by American Spirit Arms ),the BANK was keeping (UNDER REVIEW )..as you could imagine this made me furious…
American Spirit Arms posted on their Facebook page that for two weeks of sales BOA has only released 1/3 of collected internet sales.  Is this a pattern?

Friday, January 4, 2013

Here's Why the Morning Jolt is One of VSSA's Daily Reads

We all saw the media fall all over West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin making disparaging comments about modern sporting rifles, signaling he may be inclined to consider a new ban on both the rifles and on standard capacity magazines.  But have you seen these comments anywhere shared by National Review's Jim Geraghty in this morning's Morning Jolt?
What you may not have heard was what he said on MetroNews Talkline, a local program back in his home state in West Virginia, a few days later:


"I am open to talking about how do we have a better society with less violence and not blame just the gun owner, because if you blame the gun owner, you're blaming me," the Senator said.

Host Hoppy Kercheval asked Senator Manchin if he will support California Senator Dianne Feinstein's proposed bill to reinstate the ban on assault weapons. That ban first took effect in 1994 and expired in 2004.

"I'm not supporting a ban on anything. I'm supporting a conversation on everything," Senator Manchin said.

"I can't say 'yes' or 'no' to any of the things because all I've asked for, I want the NRA to tell me why we have any weapon you might want. Is there any grounds or any changes or anything they would like to look at? I don't know. I can't even get a conversation to have responsible people at the table to finally come out with a conclusion."
I didn't think so, since none of those media outlets fawning over Manchin shortly after his original comments reported his "walk back" of those comments.

Opposition to Orapax Sporting Clays Range Went Well Beyond That Application

On Wednesday, January 2, after a marathon Goochland Board of Supervisors public hearing, the Board approved at around 2:00 AM, a two-year Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for Orapax Hunting Preserve to operate a sporting clays range.  This was a multiple year battle that does not bode well for other areas of Virginia because this was not just opposition to the Orapax application, as evidenced from this web site set up for opponents of the range, it was opposition to any commercial shooting range in Goochland.
Please encourage anyone opposed to commercial gun ranges in Goochland to come. It is important that we expand our campaign by inviting people from other districts. If the Board of Supervisors were to approve a sporting clays range at Orapax, a precedent would be set. The problem could quickly spread to other Goochland neighborhoods.
The group even hired an attorney to represent them before the Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors.  A wealthy resident who had long opposed the range made this a well financed effort.  Had they been successful, this model would have spread to other areas, and still may be used to oppose new shooting ranges.

Virginia Has Largest Year to Year Rise in Firearms Sales in 20 Years

The Richmond Times Dispatch (RTD) reports that Virginia set a record in firearm sales in 2012.
Virginia gun sales soared to a new high in 2012, fueled in part by the repeal of the state’s one-handgun-per-month law and fears of increased gun restrictions after December’s school massacre in Connecticut.
Gun transactions in Virginia totaled 432,387 last year, a 35 percent jump from the 321,166 transactions in 2011, according to the latest Virginia State Police figures of mandatory criminal-background checks of gun buyers.
The RTD notes that this represents the largest year-to-year increase in 20 years and the third-largest increase overall since 1989 when Virginia’s background check program was implemented.  The RTD also noted that Virginia's sales outpaced the nation as a whole.  According to FBI NICS data, a record 19.6 million transactions were conducted in the U.S. last year through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, up from 16.4 million in 2011 — a 20 percent rise.

The above data is based on background checks for 2012.  There is not a one-to-one correlation between background checks and the number of fireams sold because some customers buy multiple firearms and some of the checks involve people reclaiming a firearm they previously had pawned. There is also a small percentage of background checks in Virginia that are denied approval to buy a firearm.

The RTD reports that firearm transaction data obtained from Virginia State Police provides a more accurate picture of how many firearms are sold in Virginia by federally licensed firearms dealers. In 2011, firearm dealers sold an estimated 420,829 firearms of all types in Virginia based on 321,166 background checks, according to the state police data.  The transaction data for 2012 is not yet available.

The RTD did an indepth report on Virginia firearms sales during Thanksgiving weekend that showed over a six year period, firearm sales increased over 70% while crime decreased by over 20%.

Biden Promises Anti-Rights Boston Mayor Obama Will Pass Major Gun Control By End of Month

Talk Show host Mark Levin shared this tidbit last night during his show:
Vice President Joe Biden “guaranteed” Mayor Thomas M. Menino — a leading national gun control advocate — that President Obama will pass sweeping firearms reforms by the end of the month, the mayor said today.
Considering Congress is basically out of town until after inauguration day, nothing is getting through Congress and to Obama's desk by January 31. So, as Weazel Zippers wrote yesterday:
No way Obama’s ramming through major legislation by the end of the month, which leaves only one other option, executive orders.
If you thought we had a firewall in the House of Representatives, you should think again.  As he did with illegal immigration yesterday, Obama is going to go as far as he thinks he can with Executive Orders.

During last year's election gun owners were warned about sentiments like this:
Menino added that the president has “no excuse not to pass strong (gun reform) legislation,” since he is in his last term and doesn’t have to worry about angering pro-gun voters or the National Rifle Association.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Gun Control Not the Only Controversial Issue Obama Plans to Push This Month

During Obama's 1st term, after winning passage of his one signature legislative victory, Obamacare, he took a beating at the midterm polls and did not expend any political capital on controversial issues.  Even before being inaugurated for his second term, he has signaled that not only will he push for gun control, but will also deliver to the millions of illegal aliens in the country "immigration reform."  This from The Weekly Standard:
The Huffington Post quotes a Democratic aide who believes "Good news for immigration advocates may have come Tuesday night, when Boehner broke the so-called 'Hastert Rule' and allowed the fiscal cliff bill to come for a vote without support from a majority of his Republican conference. Given opposition to immigration reform by many Tea Party Republicans, the proof that Boehner is willing to bypass them on major legislation is a good sign."
Will Boehner also sell out the majority of his conference and the nation's firearms rights to bring up a gun control bill if the heat of gun control talk from the White House gets too hot for him to bear too?

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

My Daughter Has Better Research Skills Than This Guy

The Crime Report has this article from Mansfield Frazier, who serves as the executive director of Neighborhood Solutions, Inc. in Cleveland.  The title of the article is "It's Time for Single Issue Politics on Guns."  As most gun ban activist, Frazier talks about how few crimes are committed with firearms in foreign countries:
And for those gun lovers who contend we really don’t have a gun problem in this country (they persistently and loudly shout “guns don’t kill people, people kill people”) consider what David Sessions recently wrote in The Daily Beast.

“In Britain in 2008, there were 39 gun murders; in the U.S. in 2009, there were 9,146—that’s right, even adjusted for our larger population, the American rate is 47 times higher,” Sessions wrote.

“Japan’s recent gun bans have virtually eliminated gun murder in their country. In our country, the states with the strictest gun laws have the lowest rates of gun crime.”
First, let me tackle that generalization about the states with the strictest gun laws have the lowest rates of gun crime.  Maryland has much stricter gun laws than Virgina, but has a higher rate of violent crime than Virginia.  The number of violent crimes per 100,000 people was also higher in California, NY, and CT, all states with stricter gun laws than Virginia (I just picked these and it is not an all inclusive list).  Yes, I know Sessions said "gun crime" but if a criminal is using violence against me, I don't care if he is using a gun, a knife, or a baseball bat, he is still committing a violent crime against me.

Secondly, all of these people conveniently fail to talk about the overall crime rate in those countries.  So, let's take a look at Britain.  Last month, John Lott pointed out this tidbit of information via a 2009 Daily Mail article.  It corresponds to the same time frame that Sessions used.
Official crime figures show the UK also has a worse rate for all types of violence than the U.S. and even South Africa - widely considered one of the world's most dangerous countries.

The figures comes on the day new Home Secretary Alan Johnson makes his first major speech on crime, promising to be tough on loutish behaviour.
And what do those figures show?
The figures, compiled from reports released by the European Commission and United Nations, also show:
  • The UK has the second highest overall crime rate in the EU.
  • It has a higher homicide rate than most of our western European neighbours, including France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
  • The UK has the fifth highest robbery rate in the EU.
  • It has the fourth highest burglary rate and the highest absolute number of burglaries in the EU, with double the number of offences than recorded in Germany and France.
But it is the naming of Britain as the most violent country in the EU that is most shocking. The analysis is based on the number of crimes per 100,000 residents.

In the UK, there are 2,034 offences per 100,000 people, way ahead of second-placed Austria with a rate of 1,677.
So, all is not well in the UK even without firearms.

But that isn't the only example of Frazier's lack of basic research skills.  He ends talking about how we have to end the "widespread possession of automatic weapons."  Problem is, none of the incidents he cites were committed with automatic weapons, nor is there "widespread possession" of such firearms as they are heavily regulated.

One would think The Crime Report would have a higher standard of credibility for the articles they share with the criminal justice community.

Will General Assembly Spike Gun Control Bills?

Northern Virginia News Radio WTOP seems convinced, and probably with good reason.
The mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last month has prompted calls for tighter gun laws across the country. But that's not likely to happen in Virginia, where gun shows are usually crowded and people can legally carry a gun openly in a holster.
Republican Speaker of the House of Delegates, William Howell, told WTOP that the solution to these type of incidents goes "way beyond gun control."
He says the General Assembly is likely to review laws on restricting gun ownership for the mentally ill, as they did after the Virginia Tech Shootings in 2009. And, he says there are likely to be several proposals on more school security.
The way to make sure no gun ban legislation passes is to remain engaged, if you are not already doing so, check this blog regularly starting January 9- February 23, join VSSA, and sign up for VSSA email alerts using the link to the right.

Some in Security Field Warm to NRA Recommendation

This story from Security Info Watch.com talks about how some in the security field are embracing the NRA's suggestion about armed security in schools.
Kenneth Trump, president of the National School Safety and Security Services consulting firm, said having trained officers in schools is "more of a prevention program than a reactive program if you have the right officers who want to work with kids."
That's right, if done correctly, the fact that just having armed individuals in schools may prevent a repeat of what happened in Sandy Hook. A single individual may be an easy to target.  But if there are multiple armed individuals, and no one knows who they are, just that there are multiple armed individuals, it may just prevent that school from being targeted.

Nation's Gun Show Makes News Across the Pond

The UK Daily Mail had this story on the recent Nation's Gun Show which was held in Chantilly, Virginia this past weekend.
While official figures are yet to be confirmed following the event, early reports said increased demand saw many weapons selling for up to double their usual price, while some vendors sold out of products altogether.
Like everywhere else in the country, modern sporting rifles and standard capacity magazines were some of the first items to sell out according to a story by NBCWashington.com that was referenced in the Mail Online story.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

State Senator Marsden Wants to Hold Gun Onwers Liable for Crimes When Firearm is Stolen and Used in a Crime

State Senator Dave Marsden has prefiled bills that would make the victim of a crime of stolen firearms civilly liable if those firearms were used in a crime, and a bill that would fine the owner if they do not report the firearm(s) as stolen withing 48 hours of when "he knew or reasonably should have known that such firearm had been lost or stolen." SB 785 and SB 786 were prefiled within days of the Sandy Hook, CT, school shooting.

While only total of six firearm related bills have been prefiled to date (five restricting our rights and one that yet again creates an exemption from concealed handgun permit fees for a class of public employees), it is expected that a range of anti-rights bills will be introduced to include bans on private transfers which was first introduced last year by Richmond State Senator Donald Maceachin , as well as the annual so-called "gun show loophole" bill.  WTOP reports that Richmond Delegate Joe Morrissey is drafting legislation that would ban modern sporting rifles and standard capacity magazines.

The 2013 General Assembly convenes on January 9th and will be in session until February 23.  The Reconvened Session to consider the Governor's vetoes and amendments will be held April 3rd.  The last day to introduce legislation is January 18th and "Crossover" is February 5th.