05/03/11 - Coverage of protest, pistol shoot and picnic

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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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1. More coverage of VCDL protest
2. Gun shows and events (Including a defense pistol shoot on May 14th and picnic on May 21st!)


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1. More coverage of VCDL protest
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The best and fairest coverage of the VCDL protest at yesterday's anti-freedom press conference was by reporter Will Jones. Only NBC Channel 12 and th
e Richmond Times-Dispatch had balance, while CBS Channel 6's coverage looked more like an advertisement written by Bloomberg himself, having NO balanc
e whatsoever.

=46rom the Richmond Times-Dispatch: http://tinyurl.com/6x3fodt

Campaign aims to change federal gun laws

By Will Jones

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones on Monday joined relatives of gun-violence victims, including ones killed or injured in the mass shootings at Virginia
Tech, in endorsing a campaign to close gaps in federal gun laws. [PVC: the Virginia Tech massacre, of course, had nothing at all to do with private
gun sales.]

The Fix Gun Checks campaign was launched in February after the shootings in Tucson, Ariz., in which a gunman killed six people and wounded 13 others,
including Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.

The campaign, sponsored by the bipartisan coalition Mayors Against Illegal Guns, is calling for an updated national database of people who are legally
prohibited from buying guns, as well as for background checks on every purchase.

Campaign spokesman Omar Samaha, whose sister, Reema, was among those killed in gunman Seung-Hui Cho's massacre at Virginia Tech in April 2007, said th
e measures would be a good first step. [PVC: Note the "first step" language again.] He said Cho was able to pass two background checks when he bough
t guns used in the rampage despite having been ordered by a judge to get mental-health treatment 16 months earlier.

"We are trying to make it at least more difficult (to buy guns), and we're not trying to create a public forum where felons, criminals and those adjud
icated mentally ill are purchasing guns," Samaha said.

To reinforce its message, the campaign is traveling across the country with a billboard truck that includes a LED counter that's updated every 42 minu
tes to reflect the number of "Americans Murdered with Guns Since Tucson."

The tally, which is based on the national average of 34 people murdered in gun violence per day, showed 3,878 as the truck was parked along 10th Stree
t by Richmond City Hall. Also endorsing the campaign were Del. Delores L. McQuinn, D-Richmond, and state Sens. Henry L. Marsh III, D-Richmond and A. D
onald McEachin, D-Henrico. [PVC: Ugh. The usual anti-freedom suspects.]

About 20 supporters of the Virginia Citizens Defense League attended the news conference to express opposition to tightening gun laws.

The changes requested by Mayors Against Illegal Guns would do little to reduce crime and would infringe on the rights of responsible gun owners while
also allowing the government to create a de facto gun registry, said Philip Van Cleave, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League. "Criminals
have two guaranteed ways to get guns. They can steal the guns. ... They can simply do a straw purchase. ... There's no way to stop that."

The gun-rights advocacy group challenges the coalition's mainstream appeal. Van Cleave said Mayors Against Illegal Guns represents less than 7 percent
of the more than 8,000 mayors of cities with populations of at least 30,000. He said about 75 percent of the membership comes from six states =97 New
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida and California.

But Lori Haas, whose daughter, Emily, was hurt in the shootings at Virginia Tech, said she doesn't understand the resistance. "If they're law-abiding
citizens, then why don't they want to stop those criminals who give gun owners a bad name?" [PVC: Because, Lori, you can't stop criminals from getti
ng guns. All that is accomplished with background checks for gun purchases is to waste time, money, and infringe on the rights of gun owners.]


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2. Gun shows and events (Including a defense pistol shoot on May 14th and picnic on May 21st!)
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As an all volunteer organization, VCDL depends on YOU to volunteer
your time at our area events, where we recruit new activists and keep
gun owners informed. No experience necessary; if it's your first time
we'll pair you with a veteran volunteer. To find out more about
helping at our gun show tables, go to:

http://www2.vcdl.org/cgi-bin/wspd_cgi.sh/vcdl/gs.html

and click on any of the blue links, or contact the coordinator for
the show/event listed below with which you are interested in helping.
Here are the upcoming events with which we need YOUR help:


a. RICHMOND http://www.cegunshows.com, May 14-15

Saturday, May 14 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 15 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact David Crosby at CentralVAgunshows*vcdl.org to help
at the Showplace in Mechanicsville.


b. VCDL-RRRC Defensive Pistol Shoot http://www.roanokerifle.com, May 14

Roanoke Rifle and Revolver Club (RRRC) will again host the VCDL-RRRC
Defensive Pistol Shoot on May 14 at RRRC's ranges. This event is a
fund raiser for VCDL and is open to the public. Shooter registration
starts at 9:00, and shooting starts promptly at 10:00. Expect a round
count of 80-100 on six stages. We expect the shooter fees to be $20.00
per shooter. Drawings for prizes will be held--all shooters will have
their name in the "pot" for this series of drawings. (Yes, we are
looking for more prizes in case anyone knows of a donor who would like
to support this shoot). A free hot dog lunch will be served with all
the fixins. Plan on coming and shooting at this fun shoot, and YES, we
invite those from all areas of the VCDL membership to make the trip !

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows*vcdl.org for more
information.


c. VIRGINIA BEACH http://www.guns-knives.com, May 21-22

Saturday, May 21 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 22 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Gary Moeller at VBgunshows*vcdl.org to help in
Virginia Beach.


d. VCDL POT LUCK PICNIC, Salem, May 21

Southwest Virginia will again have a FAMILY "POT LUCK" picnic at
LONGWOOD PARK, Salem VA on May 21. Food will be served starting
at 11 AM. This event is open to all VCDL members, families and
guests. Plan early to join us for this family event. More details
will be published prior to the picnic date.

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows*vcdl.org for more
information.


e. WASHINGTON COUNTY GUN SHOW, Abingdon, June 4-5

Saturday, June 4 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 5 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

VCDL will have a table at the Washington County Fairgrounds,
17046 Fairground Dr, Abingdon VA 24212, near Exit 14, I-81.
Sponsored by K & R Pawn and Thrift Shop, 276-676-0588,
kandrpawn*embarqmail.com

This will be a great event for those in the SW corner of our state to
assist VCDL. Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows*vcdl.org to
volunteer.


f. DALE CITY http://www.olddominionshows.com, June 4-5

Saturday, June 4 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 5 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Sam Childress at NOVAgunshows*vcdl.org to help in
Dale City.


g. FREDERICKSBURG http://www.guns-knives.com, June 25-26

Saturday, June 25 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 26 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Please contact Robert Herron at Fredericksburggunshows*vcdl.org to
help in Fredericksburg.


h. RICHMOND http://www.cegunshows.com, July 9-10

Saturday, July 9 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 10 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact David Crosby at CentralVAgunshows*vcdl.org to help
at the Showplace in Mechanicsville.


i. SALEM http://www.cegunshows.com, July 16-17

Saturday, July 16 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 17 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows*vcdl.org to help in Salem.


j. CHANTILLY http://www.cegunshows.com, July 29-31

Friday, July 29 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 30 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 31 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Please contact Danny Paulson at NOVAgunshows*vcdl.org to help in
Chantilly.

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