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1. VCU tried to pull some fast ones to silence VCDL last night
2. Marion has invalid air gun ordinance on the books
3. Surrey County Circuit Court Clerk refusing to obey the law
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1. VCU tried to pull some fast ones to silence VCDL last night
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Last night Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) had a town hall meeting to talk about the rash of violent crime that has been happening there recently. VCDL and the press were there. Things started off on a sour note as a VCU police officer tried to tell VCDL member Don Litton that he could not video tape on campus because it was "private property."
Just as I was hearing what had happened, VCDL Police Chief Venuti walked up to me to say hello. I asked him about the "private property" comment and he said the officer was wrong and he had taken care of it.
Indeed that problem disappeared and Don did his usual thorough job in getting video of the event.
I went inside the auditorium and asked to make sure that there wasn't a list that I had to put my name on to be able to speak. I was told there was no list, but only students, faculty, staff, and alumni would be allowed to speak initially and if there was any time remaining, then I could talk.
So, I patiently sat there as others asked their questions or made statements for a little over an hour.
About 25 minutes before the end of the event, I noticed the line to speak had not grown, so I got up and went to the end of the line, so I would have a chance to speak.
After watching the staff speaking for an inordinate amount of time on some very basic questions, I finally had my chance - just a minute or two before the 10 PM deadline.
But, as I was expecting, just as I stepped up to speak suddenly it was announced that it was time to end the meeting. I spoke into the microphone advising that there was still one minute left and that I had done as they requested, waiting until the end to speak. The other attendees started saying, "Let him speak!" and "This isn't fair." I was actually surprised at how many spoke up for me.
At that point the moderator reiterated that the meeting was over and everyone was free to go, but also said that the staff would stay to hear the remaining comments (which consisted of my comments and those of two others who lined up behind me just before I got up to speak).
Not one person in the audience got up to leave.
I then addressed the group, explaining that it was VCDL's position that CHP holders, who carry everywhere else they go, should be allowed to defend themselves from a violent attack on campus if the police are unable to protect them. I also pointed out that police on campus carry guns for protection because there are real dangers out there.
We handed out a lot of Guns Save Lives stickers. Some that didn't pick up those stickers on the way in, approached me for some after I spoke.
This is how wars are won - one battle at a time.
Thanks to all those who came out to show support!
Oh, on a final note, I as pondering that Universities use the excuse of "In loco parentis" (latin meaning "in place of parents") to disarm students. Well, they have the "Loco" (in Spanish) right!
Coverage from Richmond Channel 6 (CBS):
http://wtvr.com/2012/10/12/students-sho ... on-safety/ [VIDEO]
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2. Marion has invalid air gun ordinance on the books
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It was brought to my attention that Marion, Virginia has the following ordinance:
46-12 (a), which reads:
"It shall be unlawful for any person to fire or to discharge any firearm or other weapon, including, but not limited to, air rifles or BB guns, at any location within the corporate limits of the town, except as provided in subsection (f) of this section."
Subsection (f) exempts police.
I sent an email to the town attorney and the mayor advising that the ordinance needs to be fixed to allow the discharge of air guns on private property as long as reasonable care is taken to keep the projectile from leaving the property.
I have not yet heard back from the town attorney, but hopefully he will reply next week.
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3. Surrey County Circuit Court Clerk refusing to obey the law
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I was contacted by a gun owner in Surrey County who has been waiting for over 3 months for his permit. The Circuit Court Clerk, Ms. Gail P. Clayton, is refusing to issue a temporary permit as is required by law. I contacted Ms. Clayton and advised her she was in violation of state law and that she needed to get the temporary permit out forthwith.
She was not a happy camper, insisting that she could not issue even a temporary permit without the judge's OK. She said the sheriff's office was still trying to verify the background on the applicant. I showed her where the law required her to issue the temporary on day 45 with or without the judge's approval and with or without the background check results. If the sheriff is taking too long, then that is too bad.
I advised her that she needs to obey the law. Either issue the temporary permit, have the judge deny the permit (with a full explanation for the grounds of that denial), or issue the actual permit.
If she is still refusing to do her job next week, I will suggest to the Board that we get a writ of mandamus issued to force her to do her job.
She's an elected official and she needs to remember exactly who she is serving and that she is not above the law.
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VA-ALERT is a project of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc.
(VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization
dedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right to
Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right.
VCDL web page: http://www.vcdl.org [http://www.vcdl.org/]