VCDL's meeting schedule: http://www.vcdl.org/meetings.html
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Abbreviations used in VA-ALERT: http://www.vcdl.org/help/abbr.html
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VCDL Update 11/1/09 - Defending your right to defend yourself
1. Va. gun rights group endorses GOP top three
2. Anti-gunners doing another one-sided "panel" discussion on gun control at UVA this Monday!
3. USPS gun ban and VCDL in the news
4. Who needs a gun while picking up a rental car?
5. Anti-gunners claim "Bob McDonnell content to let felons,
terrorists buy firearms at gun shows"
6. Who needs a gun at home in Virginia Beach?
7. LTE: Mother sympathizes with shooting victim
8. Jeff Knox: Republicans just don't get it
9. RT: Dan Casey wants to ask 'tough' questions at tonight's debate
10. Guns in parks OK for all
11. Felons learning hard lessons
12. Massachusetts man planned terror attacks on malls
13. Interesting quiz to test your gun control knowledge
14. Firearms manuals online
**************************************************
1. Va. gun rights group endorses GOP top three
**************************************************
VCDL-PAC Chairman Mack Elliott and I were interviewed for this article:
http://tinyurl.com/yzkq35f
voices.washingtonpost.com
Fredrick Kunkle
A gun-rights political action committee in Virginia has given its
endorsement to the GOP's top three candidates this year, partly
because none of the Democrats completed the group's candidate survey,
its chairman said Wednesday.
The blessing from VCDL PAC, which is affiliated with the Virginia
Citizens Defense League, is not exactly a surprise. The National Rifle
Association's political wing has also given its seal of approval to
Republicans Robert F. McDonnell, who is running for governor; Lt. Gov.
Bill Bolling, who is seeking reelection; and Attorney General
candidate Ken Cuccinelli.
But the VCDL's leaders say their group does not follow the NRA in
lockstep. They said the VCDL, which claims about 5,000 dues-paying
members and an email list of at least 13,000, has endorsed Democrats
and independent candidates in the past. And the statewide gun-rights
PAC could back some non GOP candidates when it issues its list of
endorsements in House of Delegate contests next week, said VCDL PAC
chairman Kenneth "Mack" Elliott. But he said the VCDL PAC's rules
prohibit endorsing anyone who has not filled out the survey, and they
are not sure why none of the top three Democrats did.
"Quite honestly, we're baffled," said Philip Van Cleave, president of
the VCDL. He said Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and Democratic gubernatorial
candidate state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds had filled them out in the past.
Deeds received the NRA Political Victory Fund's endorsement in his
previous matchup against McDonnell in the 2005 Attorney General race,
a decision based on his previous legislative record supporting gun
rights. Many gun owners liked Deeds' sponsorship of a state
constitutional amendment protecting the right to hunt and fish and his
vote against former Gov. Douglas Wilder's ban on buying more than one
handgun per month.
McDonnell, then a lawmaker based in Virginia Beach, had supported the
ban.
But some gun owners have switched their allegiance to McDonnell in
this year's gubernatorial campaign, largely because Deeds has promised
to close the so-called gun show loophole.
In contrast, McDonnell has said he opposes requiring all private
sellers at gun shows to conduct background checks on prospective
buyers. He now says he would also support repealing the one-handgun-
per-month law because instant background checks no longer make it
necessary.
After examining the surveys and legislative records for the Deeds-
McDonnell AG race, the VCDL PAC sat on its hands until almost the last
minute, Elliott said. Then the Deeds camp noticed on the VCDL's Web
site that one of Deeds' responses was incorrect. After reevaluating
the surveys, the VCDL PAC gave its nod to McDonnell, who won by only
360 votes.
"I think it certainly had an impact," Elliott said.
The NRA Political Victory Fund has poured $26,700 into Virginia's
political races this year, 94 percent of which went to the GOP,
according to the Virginia Public Access Project.
VPAP says the VCDL has $24,864 on hand and has given $500 this year,
all of which went to Cuccinelli.
**************************************************
2. Anti-gunners doing another one-sided "panel" discussion on gun
control at UVA this Monday!
**************************************************
Kurt Mueller of Students for Concealed Carry on Campus emailed me this:
--
Greetings Virginia SCCC:
Ken Stanton of Virgina Tech brought to my attention that the *SAME
BIASED PANEL* that was at VT is now coming to UVA! So nice, they did
it twice!
Facebook: (http://tinyurl.com/yheptpl)
The facebook group *used* to have a wall for public postings about
this event, but the organizers of the event at UVA have taken down the
wall after Ken and I posted on their wall, letting them know that they
were hosting a farce!
Students for Gun Free Schools is showing their fear of even hearing
from the other side! Afraid of all opposition, they simply delete all
opposition views. How low!
Their facebook posting says they want a "robust and thought-provoking
conversation". Apparently, "robust" is code for one-sided, and
"thought-provoking conversation" is code for "indoctrination".
So, the same 20/20 "If I only had a gun" hit piece, and the same
biased panel that was at VT!
The film screening will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, November 2, in
Room 125 of Minor Hall at the University of Virginia Campus. The
building address is 291 McCormick Road, Charlottesville, VA 22904.
I am once again encouraging all Virginia members of SCCC, and all
members of VCDL, who would like to attend to attend. Let's show them
once again that no matter how biased they try to make their event, we
will not stand for it.
As before, SCCC strongly discourages any open carry of any firearms
during this event, and we strongly discourage any "heckling" or other
active disruptions. The first amendment protects all, and SCCC would
dislike it if anyone actively disrupted any of our events, so we need
to show the same respect that we would want them to show us. [PVC:
Note - VCDL takes no position on whether or how citizens legally carry
firearms.]
SCCC hopes to use the question and answer portion of the event to once
again call out our opposition to their near allergic-avoidance of
anyone who dares to speak against their pre-ordained agenda. We will
call them out (respectfully) for their bias, and for their ultimate
goals (to put such restrictions on firearm ownership and possession to
make it practically illegal).
I hope to see YOU at this event. Let's let UVA know that there
are*two* sides to this discussion!
Cheers,
Kurt Mueller
Eastern Regional Director
Students for Concealed Carry on Campus
kurt.mueller@concealedcampus.org
**************************************************
3. USPS gun ban and VCDL in the news
**************************************************
The decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals has made it virtually
impossible for a USPS employee or a citizen to bring a legal firearm
onto Postal Service property without breaking the law.
http://tinyurl.com/yzrngzh
http://www.examiner.com
Mike Stollenwerk
October 19, 2009
[SNIP]
USPS spokesperson Joanne Vito told the Examiner.com that 39 CFR 232.1(l)
"applies to anyone coming into a Post Office or a Postal facility.
The regulation prohibiting the possession of firearms or other
weapons applies to all real property under the charge and control of
the Postal Service. . . .
Both open and concealed possession are prohibited, so storage of a
weapon on a car parked in a lot that is under the charge and control
of the Postal Service would be prohibited."
. . .
Philip Van Cleave, President of the Virginia Citizens Defense
League . . . said that the Postal Service is just "setting a trap"
for the many gun owners who now carry their guns on a daily basis and
may not even know about this parking lot gun ban. "Even the National
Park gun ban allowed folks to store their guns in their cars," said
Van Cleave . . .
**************************************************
4. Who needs a gun while picking up a rental car?
**************************************************
Gary Shaffer emailed me this about an incident in Norfolk:
--
Dear Mr. Van Cleave,
A friend of mine told me of this story yesterday (it actually happened
to him). I heard it from the mouth of the person, it is not "hear say."
Mark and his wife went to the car rental place on Norview Ave. and N.
Military Hwy. (Budget I think). His wife drove him there and waited
out in their car until he came out with the keys to the rental. She
was following him home, but got caught at a red light. Mark pulled
into the parking lot of the Golden Coral at 6103 N. Military Hwy to
wait for his wife.
While waiting, a car pulled up beside him, and a young man asked him
if he (Mark) could give him some money. Mark kindly told him "No...
not today." The youth then said something like ...then how about I
come over there and get it myself...
Mike, a fellow CCW holder, lifted his 380 auto to the window and said
"If you do it will be the last move you ever make." The youth smartly
sped away in a cloud of dust. Smart move I'd say! [PVC: VCDL VP Jim
Snyder noted when when he saw this email: "I hope he called the
police and reported the incident"]
Thanks for all you and VCDL do to support our 2nd Amendment rights
here in VA!
Gary Shaffer
**************************************************
5. Anti-gunners claim "Bob McDonnell content to let felons,
terrorists, buy firearms at gun shows"
**************************************************
EM Hal Macklin emailed me this:
--
I suppose this is what passes for reasoned discourse from our
adversaries who call themselves "Virginians for Public Safety"
http://tinyurl.com/ygyvbsx
prnewswire.com
October 19, 2009
[SNIP]
One week ago, in a debate between Virginia's gubernatorial candidates,
Bob McDonnell answered a question about the "Gun Show Loophole" by
reiterating his support for unregulated firearm sales at gun shows in
the Commonwealth. Citing improvements to Virginia's mental health
laws, McDonnell opined that the Virginia Tech tragedy had been
adequately addressed, and bragged of the endorsement he received from
the National Rifle Association.
In reality, Virginia legislators have taken no action to address the
threat to public safety created by the Gun Show Loophole [PVC -
Loophole? What loophole? There is NO gun show loophole. This was a
term devised by the anti-gun lobby to demonize gun shows and private
sales. There is nothing that can be done legally at a gun show that
can't be done legally outside of a gun show. Again, what loophole?]
since the tragedy at Virginia Tech, despite the persistent pleas of
victims and survivors of those shootings. The loophole allows
individuals who are "not engaged in the business" of dealing firearms
to sell guns at gun shows without conducting background checks on
purchasers or maintaining records of sale.
...
According to Bob McDonnell at the October 12 gubernatorial debate,
this system of commerce "works well." A recent poll by Christopher
Newport University's Judy Ford Wason Center for Public Policy
indicates that eight out of ten Virginians disagree, and want the Gun
Show Loophole closed. [PVC: The antis are looking for anything,
anywhere, that justifies gun control. The bogus Virginia-Pilot poll
was done and now that's all we hear about. The poll is so far off of
reality that no one except the anti-gunners is going to give it any
credence at all.]
"The only individuals benefiting from loose gun laws in the
Commonwealth are criminals, terrorists, and other dangerous
individuals," said Virginians for Public Safety President Jim Sollo.
"Bob McDonnell needs to decide what is more important to him: half a
million dollars in NRA PAC money or the safety of Virginia
residents." [PVC: There goes Mr. Sollo - way over the top yet
again. So millions of Virginia gun owners don't benefit from NOT
having New York style gun control?]
Virginians for Public Safety (VPS) is a coalition of state residents
promoting appropriate, meaningful ways to help police and public
officials reduce crime and gang violence. We support tough public
safety measures that keep guns away from criminals, domestic abusers,
and children; and we oppose vigilante efforts on the part of citizens
that put our police and public safety at risk. [PVC: Wow - they must
surely hate vigilante New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg!
]**************************************************
6. Who needs a gun at home in Virginia Beach?
**************************************************
Bryan Gilbert emailed me this:
--
Cops got lucky on this one. They actually arrived in time to catch
the bad guys. Word to the not-so-wise... don't open the door if you
don't know the person/people on the other side.
http://tinyurl.com/ygfeqjt
hamptonroads.com
Lauren King
October 20, 2009
Two charged in Beach home invasion foiled by 911 call
VIRGINIA BEACH
Two men were arrested in connection with a home invasion that was
halted when police - called by a child inside the house - arrived on
the scene.
A third suspect, age 17, also will be charged, police said.
About 5:40 p.m. Friday, police were called to a home in the 1500 block
of Mirassou Lane. A woman and her three children had been at home when
there was a knock at the door. When the woman answered, armed men
pushed their way inside, police said. Hearing the disturbance, one of
the children called for help from an upstairs telephone.
The men forced family members to stay in a closet, police said. The
men rummaged through the house and took several items, but when police
sirens were heard, the men fled on foot.
The unidentified 17-year-old was taken into custody on nearby Burton
Drive.
Adrian Lee-Anthony Riden, 21, of Chesapeake and Kevin Marquez Newsome,
19, of Norfolk each face charges including armed burglary and robbery.
Both were being held in the Virginia Beach Correctional Center without
bond.
**************************************************
7. LTE: Mother sympathizes with shooting victim
**************************************************
She sympathizes with the shooting victims at Virginia Tech, be she
also unblinkingly asks a tough question for Lori Haas to think about:
http://tinyurl.com/yjwwz99
http://www.catholicvirginian.org
October 19, 2009
As a mother, I was deeply touched by your guest commentary by Lori
Haas (Sept. 21 issue).
My two sons (both engineers) applied to Virginia Tech and were
accepted. I wept when I realized that had they not made different
choices, both could have been in the Engineering building that
horrible morning.
One of my son's best friends did lose his friend. I cannot imagine the
pain of the parents whose children were killed or wounded, and I keep
them in my prayers.
Gun violence is right outside my front door. I have been asked to go
back inside my house by a police officer carrying a shotgun. He was
crossing my front yard to apprehend an armed robber two houses away.
In the middle of the street less than one-tenth of a mile from my
home, my neighbor was shot to death by her estranged husband who was
an off duty deputy sheriff.
Thank God, he was kept at bay by my armed neighbors until the police
arrived. The police had to shoot and kill the deputy to prevent him
from killing anyone else.
As a substitute school nurse in a middle school, I met a student I
recognized as troubled. I attempted to draw him into conversation, but
in a first encounter where he knew I would be somewhere else the next
day, it was difficult to establish much of a relationship.
He was referred to one of the school administrators who seemed
familiar with him. Later I read in the newspaper that he shot a man
and was the youngest person ever arrested in Newport News for murder.
There are no easy answers. New York City has very restrictive gun laws
and high gun violence rates. I do not believe more laws are the
answer, but that we as Christians need to be constantly aware of those
we encounter and try to address needs before they escalate into
violence.
The mental health needs of the young gunman at Virginia Tech were
missed on far more than one occasion. I wonder if I could have done
more to help that 13-year-old student and pray that I did all that was
possible.
Students on campus are not allowed to have weapons. Even one death is
too many, but as a mother, I wonder if there would have been 32 deaths
at Tech if someone other than Cho Sun Weh were also armed.
Maureen Myers
Newport News
**************************************************
8. Jeff Knox: Republicans just don't get it
**************************************************
Jeff Knox of FirearmsCoalition.org emailed me about the VCDL Freedom
Rally:
--
Philip,
I really wish I could have been there!
As I read the report, it is clear that the Republicans just don't get
it. Perhaps we need to change the way we explain it to them.
Would Barack Obama hold a fundraiser at a location which had "No
Negroes" signs on the front doors?
Would George Bush hold a rally at a venue which had "Christians Keep
Out" printed on the doors?
What a "No Guns" sign really says is; "Law-abiding, Responsible Gun
Owners - KEEP OUT!". Such signs do not apply to anyone else and they
are a slap in the face to responsible gun owners. For politicians to
claim that they have no culpability because it's not their policy is
simply ludicrous. By holding the event at a venue which openly
disrespects responsible gun owners, Republicans are endorsing that
disrespectful policy.
What if Innsbrook had signs on the door reading; "No Kosher Food
Served"? Would Republicans understand that the signs were an insult
and that holding their event there was also an insult?
You'd think they'd understand, but Republicans are notoriously slow. I
hope to have a comprehensive article on this subject put together in
the near future, but thought that now would be an appropriate time to
share some ideas with you.
As always, if there is anything I can do to help, let me know.
Jeff
http://www.FirearmsCoalition.org
**************************************************
9. RT: Dan Casey wants to ask 'tough' questions at tonight's debate
**************************************************
EM Hal Macklin emailed me this:
--
Dan Casey is obsessed with gun control.
http://tinyurl.com/ylhzu3u
http://www.roanoke.com
By Dan Casey
October 20, 2009
[SNIP]
Tonight at 7 p.m., Roanoke College's Olin Hall will host the final
scheduled debate in this year's gubernatorial contest. The moderator
is WSLS (Channel 10) news anchor Jay Warren. He is soliciting
questions for the candidates on his station's Web site.
There are plenty of unanswered ones in this campaign. So I and some
posters on my blog have formulated a few.
Here we go.
-- Mr. Deeds, in the 2009 session you voted for an idiotic bill that
defined anyone who had passed a one-hour streaming video "course" as
competent enough with a gun to qualify for a Virginia concealed
handgun permit --even if they had never touched a handgun.
I know this is true because I took that course and had never touched a
handgun before the state issued me my permit.
The question is, do you regret supporting this dumb bill?
Follow-up: Would you support its repeal?
-- For both candidates:
Messrs. Deeds and McDonnell, each of you has said that if elected, you
would sign legislation allowing concealed-carry permit holders to take
their hidden weapons into establishments that serve alcohol, provided
those gun-packers don't imbibe.
A recent poll conducted by Christopher Newport University found nearly
two-thirds of the commonwealth's likely voters are opposed to
legalizing concealed weapons in bars. [PVC: This bogus poll was paid
for and done for their sister paper - the Virginian-Pilot]
Please explain why you're in favor of legislation opposed by nearly
two-thirds of this state's voters.
Follow-up: Please explain to us how more guns in bars makes everyone
safer.
Second follow-up: Are both of you insane?
**************************************************
10. Guns in parks OK for all
**************************************************
Federal legislation will allow visitors to carry firearms openly,
without a permit in the National parks.
http://tinyurl.com/yh57mfl
http://www.jhnewsandguide.com
By Cory Hatch, Jackson Hole, Wyo
October 21, 2009
Officials say a law signed by President Obama in May will allow gun
owners to openly carry firearms in Grand Teton and the Wyoming
portions of Yellowstone when the law goes into effect in February.
Several National Park Service employees and legal experts who
interpreted the legislation say it extends to all, not just those with
concealed weapons permits. When U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla.,
attached a rider to a credit card reform bill earlier this year,
almost all reports indicated it applied to concealed weapons only.
While federal officials are trying to figure out the nuances of the
law to develop guidance for park rangers, one said there appears to be
little question that toting firearms openly will be allowed, depending
on the law of the state in which the park is located. Since Wyoming
does not require a permit to openly carry weapons, visitors would be
able to pack heat in plain view of the public while in Yellowstone and
Grand Teton national parks.
The interpretation raises the possibility that those who tread the
shores of Jenny Lake and the boardwalks of Old Faithful could brandish
rifles and sidearms. For conservation groups and rangers, the specter
looms of backcountry travelers arming themselves for self-defense and
poachers wandering the woods with impunity.
"If, in Wyoming, it says you can walk down the street with a firearm
strapped to your waist, it's legal [in Grand Teton and Yellowstone],"
said Phil Selleck, chief of regulations and special park uses for the
Park Service. He made his comments in a telephone interview from
Washington, D.C., after being asked to explain the new legislation.
"If the state law doesn't require a permit, then a permit is not
required," Selleck said.
At Grand Teton National Park headquarters in Moose, spokeswoman Jackie
Skaggs said it's a common misconception that the new guns in parks law
only applies to concealed weapons. During the Bush administration, gun
advocates pushed a repeal of the firearm prohibition in national
parks, succeeding only in obtaining an administrative rule allowing
some permitted concealed weapons.
That concealed-weapons rule was overturned in court. Coburn's rider
was much more lenient, although it has not been reported as such.
"Everyone assumed that it's the concealed weapons permit holders that
will able allowed to carry," Skaggs said. "It's broader than that now."
Kent Spence, a trial lawyer and partner at the Spence Law Firm, agreed
with the interpretation that most park visitors will be allowed to
openly carry weapons.
"As long as they don't have any legal problems pending, there's no
reason why they can't come into Wyoming and into the park as long as
it's in plain view," he said.
Spence supports the new law.
"I've always felt a little uncomfortable in bear country in a national
park not being able to carry a gun while camping," he said. "I still
think that the best line of defense is pepper spray, but if that's not
working, it's nice to know that you have a bear gun with you."
Skaggs said Grand Teton law enforcement officers will be ready when
the law goes into effect Feb. 22.
"We're prepared to implement the laws that are passed by Congress and
signed into law by the president," she said. "Our understanding is,
the state regulations for an ordinary citizen in the state of Wyoming
will apply to national parklands."
However, Skaggs said some rules do differ in the park compared to the
rest of the state.
"They cannot use it or display it in a threatening manner, and they
cannot discharge it unless their personal safety is in question," she
said.
Spence said what's good in Wyoming should be good in Yellowstone.
"I think the law is good because, why should it be any different just
because we crossed the boundary into a national park when we're still
in Wyoming?" he said.
Bryan Faehner, associate director for park uses with the National
Parks Conservation Association, said he's concerned.
"We, all along, have felt that the [1983 Reagan administration]
regulation that is still in place is working just fine," he said.
"Parks are some of the safest places in the country.
"[With the new law] people could be walking around possibly carrying a
rifle," Faehner said. "That changes the dynamics of the park
experience."
In addition to the potential for an increase in violent crimes in
parks, Faehner said he's worried about what the new gun law means for
wildlife.
"It's going to be very interesting to see how it all plays out in
terms of poaching," he said. "I think there are individuals who could
be getting a lot closer to wildlife."
"Having a firearm gives some people a false sense of security,"
Faehner said. "That's not to say that all firearm owners are like
that, but there are going to be some people who push the envelope."
Louise Lasley, public lands director for the Jackson Hole Conservation
Alliance, said her organization also opposes the change.
"The Jackson Hole Conservation Alliance has, since this proposal was
first initiated, been concerned for human safety and wildlife
protection and how to resolve jurisdictional complexity in places like
Yellowstone," she said.
Coburn attached the rider to a credit card reform bill earlier this
year. The law will allow people, including those with concealed
weapons permits, to carry weapons in parks provided the state in which
the park resides recognizes the permit. The law also applies to the
National Wildlife Refuge System.
States such as Massachusetts and New York have stricter gun laws that
require permits for the sale and possession of firearms. Park rules in
those states would mimic state laws.
With the new law, people in national parks will not be allowed to
carry weapons, concealed or otherwise, in federal buildings.
Selleck said the law could be tricky to observe in parks that cross
state lines such as Yellowstone - which covers parts of Wyoming, Idaho
and Montana - and Death Valley, which is in Nevada and California.
Each state might have a different law regarding firearms and those
would be reflected in park regulations.
"If you're in Yellowstone, you have to know whether you're standing in
Wyoming, Idaho or Montana," he said. "Please, please, please, if
you're going to travel with a firearm, know the laws. Know what you
should be doing and what you can't do. That way you won't be
disappointed."
**************************************************
11. Felons learning hard lessons
**************************************************
As an increasing number of citizens arm themselves for self defense,
criminals may begin to consider another line of work.
http://tinyurl.com/ykmzs7o
http://www.newstribune.com
October 20, 2009
Felonious behavior is becoming more dangerous, if two recent incidents
are any indication.
During a home invasion on Oct. 5, one of the intruders was shot and
killed by one of the occupants of the mobile home.
And an armed assailant is recovering from wounds after he was shot
Oct. 13 by one of the people he was attempting to herd into a building
housing law offices on East Capitol Avenue.
In the first case, the weapon was kept in the home, which always has
been allowed to defend people and property.
In the second incident, the assailant was shot by someone who
qualifies under the conceal and carry law.
Sheriff Greg White is a proponent of the conceal and carry law, passed
by lawmakers in 2003 after Missouri voters rejected a similar law in
1999.
The law requires people to attain a standard of proficiency with
weapons before they are permitted to carry a concealed gun. Proponents
of the law believe it offers a greater sense of security and decreases
crime by prompting felons to consider the consequences of armed
confrontation.
We confess to harboring some reservations about the concealed carry
law. Our fear was an increase in guns in public would result in more
guns being displayed prematurely and/or more accidents.
White said recently: "All the fears over conceal and carry have never
manifested."
We concede the point.
Anecdotal evidence does not suggest an increase in accidents or
unprovoked gunplay.
The evidence, however, does show people defending themselves from harm.
The message being sent to felons is don't bring a weapon to a crime
unless you're prepared to accept the risk.
**************************************************
12. Massachusetts man planned terror attacks on malls
**************************************************
In the past few weeks we have seen more than one news report of
individuals planning terror attacks in places such as shopping malls.
Maybe the title of this story should be "Who needs a gun at the mall?"
Sadly, it's not a matter of if, but when it will happen. If you are
there when it does, will you be prepared to survive?
http://tinyurl.com/yghuamo
http://www.washingtonpost.com
By Spencer S. Hsu
Thursday, October 22, 2009
A Massachusetts man has been arrested on a charge of conspiring to
support terrorists by seeking training from Islamic extremist fighters
overseas, federal authorities said Wednesday.
Tarek Mehanna, 27, of Sudbury, a small town west of Boston, allegedly
conspired from 2001 to May 2008 with Ahmad Abousamra and others to
carry out attacks abroad, including on U.S. soldiers in Iraq, the
Justice Department said.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Leo Sorokin ordered Mehanna held pending an Oct.
30 hearing. Outside the courtroom, Ahmed Mehanna, the defendant's
father, told reporters he did not believe the accusations.
"This really, really is a show," said the elder Mehanna, a professor
at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, from
which his son graduated last year.
An FBI agent alleged in a complaint affidavit that Tarek Mehanna,
Abousamra and an associate traveled to the Middle East in February
2004 seeking training at a terrorist camp in Yemen, and that Abousamra
made two similar trips to Pakistan in 2002. The men were unsuccessful,
however, and the associate became a government informant, Special
Agent Heidi L. Williams wrote.
Abousamra allegedly told the informant that the Taliban and Lashkar-i-
Taiba, a Pakistan-based militant group, turned him away because he
lacked experience and is an Arab. Abousamra left the United States for
Syria in 2006 to visit his wife and has not returned, according to the
court documents.
The group also allegedly talked several times "about obtaining
automatic weapons and randomly shooting people in a shopping mall,"
but abandoned the plan because they could obtain only handguns,
Williams wrote. The men were inspired by the Washington area sniper
attacks, she wrote.
Mehanna and the co-conspirators talked once or twice about
assassinating two U.S. executive branch officials, according to the
court documents.
Mehanna was not charged in connection with the alleged domestic plots.
In January, Mehanna was indicted for allegedly lying to investigators
about the whereabouts of Daniel J. Maldonado, the first American to be
charged with a crime for training with al-Qaeda in Somalia.
Prosecutors allege that Mehanna lied when he said Maldonado, a Muslim
convert from Boston who was captured in Kenya and is now serving a 10-
year prison sentence in the United States, was in Egypt.
Maldonado allegedly told Mehanna that he was in "culinary school"
making "peanut butter and jelly," which authorities said was code for
training with Islamic extremists in Somalia.
Mehanna's attorney, J.W. Carney Jr., said the government charged
Mehanna only after failing to persuade him to become a spy and because
he was preparing to leave for Saudi Arabia to take a job. Mehanna, a
U.S.-born citizen, pleaded not guilty to that charge and was released
on bail.
If convicted on the material support charge, Mehanna faces up to 15
years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a
$250,000 fine. The earlier charge carries a penalty of up to eight
years in prison.
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13. Interesting quiz to test your gun control knowledge
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Test your level of knowledge on the topic of gun control.
http://tinyurl.com/ylc5y4c
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14. Firearms manuals online
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Richard Jansen emailed me this:
--
The link below contains user's manuals and photos for every firearm
imaginable. This is an excellent resource that is well worth sharing
and saving.
http://tinyurl.com/2qajwj
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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/]