VA-ALERT: VCDL Mini-update 2/23/15

[OakRidgeStars]

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Not yet a VCDL member? Join VCDL at: http://www.vcdl.org/join
----------------------------------------------------------------------
VCDL's meeting schedule: http://www.vcdl.org/meetings
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Abbreviations used in VA-ALERT: http://www.vcdl.org/help/abbr.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------

1. Article on bill blocking CHP information going to states like Maryland
2. Article on bill allowing CHP holders to have a loaded long gun in their vehicle
3. Suggestions from Jeff Knox on NRA Board candidates
4. VCDL now has a volunteer keeping the web site's calendar up to date
5. Could proposed M855 ammo ban lead to a much broader ban?
6. GOA action item on BATFE's proposed ban on SS109/M855 ammunition
7. Smoking gun: Audio of Bloomberg saying minorities 25 and younger should be disarmed

*************************************************************
1. Article on bill blocking CHP information going to states like Maryland
*************************************************************

http://wydaily.com/2015/02/23/general-a ... localnews/

or

http://tinyurl.com/qglj62s

General Assembly Blocks Access to Handgun Permits
February 23, 2015 By Lyndsey Raynor, Capital News Service

Virginia State Capitol (Courtesy Virginia General Assembly)

RICHMOND – It is now up to Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) whether to sign into law a bill that would prohibit certain out-of-state police agencies from accessing information regarding concealed weapon permits issued by the commonwealth of Virginia.

The House of Delegates gave final approval Tuesday to the measure, Senate Bill 948.

The vote was 66-33, with Republicans supporting the bill and Democrats opposing it. SB 948 now advances to McAuliffe for consideration.

If signed into law, states like Maryland would not have access to concealed weapon permit data from the Virginia Criminal Information Network. Maryland does not recognize concealed handgun permits issued by Virginia.

Del. Marcus Simon, D-Falls Church, spoke against the bill during Tuesday’s session, saying the measure would be dangerous for in-state and out-of-state law enforcement.

“This causes problems for law enforcement because law enforcement wants to have instant access to accurate information about the presence or possible presence of firearms in vehicles when they do traffic stops and when they arrest folks,” Simon said.

“To the extent that we are telling folks in states that don’t have reciprocity that we are withholding that information from you, we’re inviting them to do the same thing to us.”

Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William, suggested if states like Maryland would cooperate with Virginia, their police officers would be much safer.

“It’s the policy of entrapment that has been used based on the concealed carry exchange information that has precipitated this,” Marshall said.

The bill comes after gun owners in Virginia and other states shared concerns about being targeted by Maryland State Police.


*************************************************************
2. Article on bill allowing CHP holders to have a loaded long gun in their vehicle
*************************************************************

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/201 ... l-for-con/

or

http://tinyurl.com/oeqyh4w

Virginia lawmakers pass gun transport bill for concealed carry holders
By David Sherfinski - The Washington Times - Wednesday, February 18, 2015

The Virginia House of Delegates on Wednesday approved a bill to exempt concealed carry permit holders from local prohibitions against carrying or transporting a loaded shotgun or rifle in a vehicle.

The measure adds the permit holders to others exempted from local ordinances such as authorized law enforcement officers and military personnel, or people who believe they need a loaded rifle or shotgun for their personal safety for work.

The Senate-passed bill, with minor amendments, passed on a 62-34 vote.

"One of the things we're wrestling with here is we're trying to deal with the passage of local ordinances that prohibit hunting from roads," said Delegate L. Scott Lingamfelter, Prince William Republican. "And unfortunately, this has complicated a whole business of carrying a loaded shotgun or a rifle from one area to another area, either coming across another county or possibly a farmer going from one field and then having to use a public road to get to another field, and he may want to have a loaded rifle to deal with varmints and other things on his farm, or he many want to go into town and buy something in town."

Delegate Scott A. Surovell, Fairfax Democrat, offered a floor amendment to require concealed carry permit holders to actually have the permit in their possession if they transport a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle, but it was defeated.

Speaking against the broader bill, Mr. Surovell recalled one day when his "granddaddy" beat down a snake with a billy club he had with him.

"Mr. Speaker, you don't have to have a gun to hunt, and I don't think it's necessary to carry a gun around in a car to hunt, especially a loaded one," he said.

He also said that "we don't need more guns in traffic."

"The last thing we need in Northern Virginia or Hampton Roads traffic is people riding around with a loaded shotgun and a gun rack," Mr. Surovell said. "Tempers flare."

Delegate Greg Habeeb, Salem Republican, asked Mr. Surovell if he knew which jurisdictions had banned transporting loaded firearms.

"I would ask the gentleman if it surprised him that it is currently legal to transport a loaded firearm in Fairfax County, Virginia," Mr. Habeeb said.

"I'm not aware of that, but I'll be talking to my board of supervisors about that if that's the case," Mr. Surovell replied, to some laughter.

Mr. Habeeb later asked him if he could list jurisdictions inside the Beltway with such bans.

"No, I cannot answer that — as I told the gentleman, I can't answer the question [because] I have not researched it, and I don't want to end up on Politifact," Mr. Surovell said.

The House also signed off on a Senate-passed bill that would require a person to "knowingly" possess a firearm on school property in order to be convicted of a Class 6 felony.

Supporters of that bill said, for example, that someone could unwittingly end up committing a crime if he or she is driving in a car after their spouse had mistakenly left a gun inside.

That measure passed on a 93-5 vote.

On an 83-17 vote, the House also rejected a measure that had passed a day earlier that would have legalized selling brass knuckles, blackjacks, throwing stars and switchblades, which would leave in place the crime for selling such items punishable as a Class 4 misdemeanor.


*************************************************************
3. Suggestions from Jeff Knox on NRA Board candidates
*************************************************************

Every year Jeff Knox puts out a list of candidates who he feels should be on the NRA Board of Directors. Jeff suggests that you only vote for these candidates and don't vote for anyone else so as not to dilute your vote.

Those of you who are NRA members, here is this year's list:

• Timothy Knight, Durango, Colorado is a proven, effective, grassroots activist who orchestrated the stunning recalls of anti-rights senators in Colorado...
• Sean Maloney, Liberty Township, Ohio is an attorney who has an extensive record of grassroots activism and comes highly recommended by people I trust.
• Virginia McLemore, Socorro, New Mexico, is an active competitive shooter and youth training volunteer. She has served in leadership in her state association which I feel has been neglected by NRA in the past...
• Maria Heil, New Freedom, Pennsylvania, was on my endorsement list 3 years ago and she has proven herself a worthy pick...
• Robert Viden, Glassboro, New Jersey, has served on the Board off and on for a number of years... I have endorsed Bob in the past, and think he’s earned my support...
• Joseph DeBergalis, West Seneca, New York, has demonstrated much more willingness to communicate with the membership and take action on their behalf than most of the directors...
• Scott Bach, Newfoundland, New Jersey. Scott is a good friend who is doing yeoman’s work deep in enemy territory...

If you want a really undiluted vote and wish to vote for just one candidate, Jeff recommends Timothy Knight (first on the list above).


*************************************************************
4. VCDL now has a volunteer keeping the web site's calendar up to date
*************************************************************

VCDL member Bruce Wittmeier has stepped forward to maintain the VCDL calendar on our web site. With so much always going on, Bruce's help will be much appreciated!

The calendar can be viewed here:

http://vcdl.org/calendar/2015-02


*************************************************************
5. Could proposed M855 ammo ban lead to a much broader ban?
*************************************************************

Member Bob Greene sent me this email:

The proposed rule exempts rimfire ammunition up to 40 grains. That means rimfire ammo like Aguila SSS 60gr subsonic could be banned.

The proposed rule is supposedly to protect police. I can't find any statistics showing police killed by M855 ball ammunition being fired through a protective vest, let alone being fired using a pistol. I can't find statistics showing that ANY .223 rounds fired by pistol have been used to kill police. Perhaps there are better searchers but the rule is being promulgated to cover a non-issue.

---

Dennis O'Connor sent me this:

There are many more common cartridges at risk of being banned. See para V at:

http://www.ammoland.com/2015/02/atf-age ... z3ScNQavpj

or

http://tinyurl.com/lb5gyt3


*************************************************************
6. GOA action item on BATFE's proposed ban on SS109/M855 ammunition
*************************************************************

Send a letter to your Senators to defund any attempt to ban SS109/M855 ammunition:

http://cqrcengage.com/gunowners/app/wri ... A0rRw&lp=0

or

http://tinyurl.com/l7gw3w7


*************************************************************
7. Smoking gun: Audio of Bloomberg saying minorities 25 and younger should be disarmed
*************************************************************

Bloomberg tried to block release of his comments, but failed.

Thanks to member Patrick Heraghty for the link:

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2015/02 ... minorities

or

http://tinyurl.com/p4p8dvc




***************************************************************************
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/]