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Abbreviations used in VA-ALERT: http://www.vcdl.org/help/abbr.html
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1. Anti-gun votes in the General Assembly
2. VCDL to have a membership meeting at the Dulles Green Turtle restaurant on August 15
3. VCDL signs on to an Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of a Virginia gun owner
4. VCDL to hold special picnic during huge Hillsville gun show
5. Upcoming events in the Roanoke/Salem/Hillsville areas
6. Thoughts about VCDL and recent table at the Steppin' Out event in Blacksburg from a member
7. Holding a bad guy at gun point - thoughts on what to do when the police arrive
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1. Anti-gun votes in the General Assembly
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Back in January a crucially important gun bill came up for a vote in an appropriations committee that should never have even seen the bill in the first place. Politics got in the way of protecting the citizens of Virginia from an over-encroaching federal government.
The bill was Delegate Bob Marshall's HB 2340, which would have forbidden state and local government employees from assisting the federal government in enforcing any federal laws made after 2012 (the feds are very dependent on local law enforcement to assist them in enforcing federal gun laws).
The vote to put HB 2340 in the appropriations committee was taken in a gutless manner using an unrecorded vote. That was so VCDL could not hold those who voted to send HB 2340 to appropriations accountable for their actions.
But here's where things get interesting. In the appropriations committee Delegate Scott Lingamfelter made a pro-gun motion to release the bill from the committee and send it back to the House Floor. NO ONE SECONDED THAT MOTION!!!
Thus, anyone that did not second the motion to pass the bill out of committee cast an anti-gun vote by default:
Voting PRO-GUN: Lingamfelter
Voting ANTI-GUN: Putney (Chairman), Tata, Ingram, May, Sherwood, Cox, M.K., Landes, Jones, O'Bannon,, Poindexter, Massie, Scott, E.T., Peace, Greason, Scott, J.M., Joannou, Brink, Ware, O., Howell, A.T., BaCote, Dance
If your Delegate is one of those voting anti-gun, please contact them and let them know your thoughts on their failure to act in support of pro-gun legislation.
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2. VCDL to have a membership meeting at the Dulles Green Turtle restaurant on August 15
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After a couple of months of a "No Firearms Allowed" sign appearing and disappearing at the Dulles Greene Turtle restaurant in Sterling, EMs Brian Reynolds and Ed Levine got to the bottom of it. It seems that the owner of the restaurant did not want to allow firearms, but the management staff did.
Some postcards were sent by Ed, as well as emails by Ed and others (as posted on Facebook) until Brian reasoned with the owner and the owner agreed with Brian to remove the sign permanently and welcome gun owners.
VCDL leadership decided to hold the August 2013 membership meeting at the Dulles Greene Turtle, located on the service road that circles the Dulles Town Center Mall:
21035 Dulles Town Circle
Sterling, Virginia 20166
The meeting will be on Thursday, August 15, at 7 PM.
If you are on Facebook, you can RSVP here: https://www.facebook.com/events/181937561984447
If you are not on Facebook, please send an email to EM Ed Levine at ed.levine@vcdl.org with a subject of "Greene Turtle - #" and replace the # with the number in your party.
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3. VCDL signs on to an Amicus Brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of a Virginia gun owner
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The BATFE (the agency that brought you "Fast and Furious") is once again overstepping their bounds. VCDL, in coordination with Congressman Steve Stockman, Gun Owners of America, and some other groups, is trying to stop them from doing so.
Cliff's Notes on what happened: A person, **who could legally own a gun,** gave money to a second person, a police officer, who also could legally own a gun, to buy a gun since the police officer could get a nice discount on the purchase.
Both were charged with participating in a "straw purchase." (The police officer is from Virginia.)
Until now the BATFE's rule about "straw purchases" was only applied to someone buying a gun for a prohibited person. This sets a bad and unreasonable precedent.
Supposedly the rationale was to keep guns out of the hands of "bad guys." But not so anymore. Just a matter of time before they consider a gift of a firearm a straw purchase.
Here's the brief: http://www.lawandfreedom.com/site/firea ... Amicus.pdf
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4. VCDL to hold special picnic during huge Hillsville gun show
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The VCDL is holding a picnic in HILLSVILLE on Sunday, September 1, 2013, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
This is the same weekend as the VFW Labor Day Flea Market & Gun Show.
VCDL will be serving FREE HOT DOGS & BARBEQUE. Soft drinks, plates, napkins, plastic ware, and cups will be provided.
The picnic is a family event, and is open to the public. VCDL will be inviting flea market/gun show attendees to come to the picnic to learn more about us.
All VCDL members are encouraged to attend. Feel free to bring friends! This is a great opportunity to come and hear how our organization is working for the benefit of ALL VIRGINIA GUN OWNERS.
There will be several DOOR PRIZES given away, each person who attends will receive a door prize ticket. You must be present to win!
Location: Carroll County Parks and Rec Picnic Shelter: 129 BALLPARK DRIVE, HILLSVILLE VA 24343
(Directions: Take I-77 to exit 14, go WEST on US 58 (Carrollton Pike). Take first LEFT onto Farmers Market Drive, then Take first RIGHT onto Ballpark Drive (across from the Super
RSVP to Shannon and Philip Honaker at: picnic.hillsville@vcdl.org
We look forward to seeing you in Hillsville!
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5. Upcoming events in the Roanoke/Salem/Hillsville areas
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August 17--18 Roanoke Gun Show.
Shifts:
SATURDAY: 9 AM to 1 PM, 1 PM to 5 PM
SUNDAY: 9 AM to 12:30 PM, 12:30 PM to 4 PM.
Want to help? (limit of three per shift please) CONTACT: al@vcdl.org
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August 20: VCDL Supper meeting
CHIP & JOE'S
318 E 8th Street (Corner of 8th and Tenn.)
SALEM, VA 24153
Fellowship starts at 6:30 PM---Buffet food will be served at 7 PM-- COST: $12.00, including drink; desert and tip. Please bring cash in order to speed up closing. Supper meeting is open to ALL members; families; and guests.
RSVP REQUESTED PLEASE--so proper food may be prepared--and seating arranged.
RSVP to al@vcdl.org
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6. Thoughts about VCDL and recent table at the Steppin' Out event in Blacksburg from a member
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VCDL member and retired Chief of Police for Louisa County, John J. Wilson, sent me this email in response to an alert item on an anti assaulting a VCDL member at Steppin' Out:
VCDL is a noble organization, not asserting its own values upon fellow Americans, but standing strong for the values and rights as citizens of this country. In the process we have been responsible in our application of these rights and only ask an open mind to discuss issues before us.
We do not tolerate misconduct of any kind in front of other members, family, or protestors; and at times we do have to protect ourselves from the so called anti-gun protestors that think they can attack anyone defending the right to bear arms.
We shall always present ourselves to a higher standard than those about us and be steadfast in our beliefs.
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7. Holding a bad guy at gun point - thoughts on what to do when the police arrive
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One of our members requested information on what to do if you have to hold someone at gun point while the police are on the way. It never hurts to be thinking ahead of time as to what you would do if you are involved in a self-defense shooting.
I am not a lawyer and, thus, cannot give legal advice. But I will share my thoughts on the issue.
First, if you successfully stopped a violent criminal attack and the bad guy is fleeing, do NOT chase after him. Be a good witness and get a good description of the miscreant for the police when they arrive. ***If you can avoid holding a bad guy at gun point, by all means do so!***
If the bad guy is shot and laying on the ground, that is a good time to get away from him. Get to a safe area where you can still watch him and call 9-1-1.
If you absolutely must hold someone at gun point, you can only legally do so if you would have been justified in using deadly force against them in the first place. More thoughts on this very unusual situation:
1. Remember to keep your distance from the criminal. A gun gives you the ability to project force from a safe distance. Use that advantage. If you are too close to the criminal, he might try to grab your gun out of desperation (police have this happen frequently). Remember that action beats reaction every time. The person making the first move has the advantage, so keep him as far away from you as you reasonably can.
If you can get him to lay face down on the floor looking AWAY from you, arms extended at 90 degrees from his side and with his ankles crossed, that is a good position to have him in. If you have him in such a position of weakness, you may be able to holster your gun (but only if he can't see what you're doing). If you cannot get the criminal into a position of weakness where he cannot charge you, then you are better to order him out of the area. If he has such a chance to flee at that point, he'll probably take it. The issue of trying to hold a non-compliant bad guy at gunpoint is tricky and dangerous. What do you do to get compliance? Shoot him? Not a good idea. Remember to shoot someone, your life must be in imminent danger.
For the compliant criminal, if there is a weapon near the criminal, kick it far away from him while keeping your concentration on the bad guy.
2. Call 9-1-1 (better to have someone else do it if you can, so you can keep your undivided attention on the criminal). If the criminal has been shot, tell the dispatcher to send an ambulance. Remember everything you say on that 9-1-1 call is recorded and can be used as evidence. Keep what you say to an absolute minimum. "According to criminal-defense attorneys, half of all convictions for self-defense incidents rely on frantic traumatized 911 tapes." -- Alan Korwin, "After You Shoot"
You might say, "This is John Doe at 1234 Mayberry Street. I was attacked and the criminal is shot. Send the police and an ambulance." You might consider hanging up at that point. They have all they need to get help to you. Do not turn into a Chatty Cathy.
3. IMPORTANT: The police don't know you from a hot rock! Do NOT assume anything. For all they know, YOU are the criminal about to kill an innocent citizen. DO NOT FORGET THAT.
When you hear the police coming, you gun should be holstered if possible, either because you are holding a compliant criminal, the criminal is shot and down, or the criminal has fled. Preferably conceal your gun if you either have a CHP or if you are at home where a CHP isn't necessary.
Let's look at your options in detail:
If you are doing the unrecommended step of holding a non-compliant criminal at gun point, it is quite problematic for the police to arrive and see you holding a gun in your hand. Again, they don't know who you are and if you are a threat to THEM or not. They don't want to die any more than you do.
My suggestions here:
a. You should position yourself, if possible, where you can see the approaching police officers but they cannot see you. Then as they approach, holster your gun and raise your hands and slowly move into their view.
b. Keep your gun pointed away from the officers and in a safe direction AT ALL TIMES, including during item c, below.
c. If you have a concealed handgun permit and can get to easily before the officers arrive, hold it up high in your free hand and yell something like "Concealed permit holder! What do you want me to do?" as the police enter the room
d. FOLLOW ALL INSTRUCTIONS TO THE LETTER AND DO SO **SLOWLY** - NO ARGUMENTS, JUST FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS. If that means dropping your gun, so be it (however that is a really bad idea if the police order you to do so - the gun could land near the criminal or the gun could discharge accidentally).
e. You may get handcuffed briefly while the police sort things out. Just relax and go along with it
If you have a holstered (and preferably concealed) handgun, put your hands up and keep them there. If you can, make sure there is plenty of light for the arriving officers to see with. If you have a CHP and can get to your CHP easily, hold that in one of your hands up over your head and yell something like, "Concealed permit holder!" as the police enter the room. If you can't get to your CHP easily, just let them know that you have one. You can get it later. Again, follow any and all instructions to the letter without argument. You might get handcuffed temporarily, just go along with it.
You might also get charged with brandishing, however self-defense is a defense against that charge.
One more consideration: do not talk to the police other than to say, "I was attacked. I want my lawyer" and then go silent. Look at the fingers on your hand and think "K Y B M S" - Keep Your Big Mouth Shut.
Related to this issue is a book by Alan Korwin, "After you Shoot Your gun's hot. The perp's not. Now what?" It doesn't provide definitive answers (because there are none), instead it raises issues and encourages the reader to think about their options BEFORE an incident occurs instead of after.
Thanks to EM and attorney, Dan Hawes, for help compiling this article. Also thanks to Board members Jim Snyder and Dennis O'Connor for their suggestions and guidance.
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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/]
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