VA-ALERT: Mini Update with legislative alert 2/1/16

[OakRidgeStars]

VA-ALERT: Mini Update with legislative alert 2/1/16

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Not yet a Virginia Citizens Defense League member? Join VCDL at: http://www.vcdl.org/join-VCDL
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VCDL's meeting schedule: http://www.vcdl.org/meetings
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Abbreviations used in VA-ALERT: http://www.vcdl.org/help/abbr.html
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VA-ALERT archives: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/727/=now
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1. Legislative Alert: Constitutional Carry bill dies in Senate with tie vote
2. Articles on the reciprocity “deal”
3. February 9th Prince William Board of Supervisors to vote on free CHPs!
4. YES: Bedford County votes to remove restrictions on employees with CHPs carrying at work!
5. MUST WATCH: Excellent coverage of VCDL Lobby Day by Townhall.com, including video showing crowd size [VIDEO]
6. VCDL Lobby Day coverage in The Blaze and other media
7. Unintended consequences? McAuliffe’s gun ban stops some 4-H firearm-safety training
8. Comedian goes undercover to expose the truth on the “gun-show loophole” [VIDEO]
9. Article on Virginia State Police trading protections against overreaching feds for fed funding
10. Counties sending resolutions to Herring denouncing his actions on reciprocity
11. Fairfax County needs election officers! You might consider doing this
12. Lobby Day humor
13. Lobby Day impressions
14. Another member made a nice donation toward the Lobby Day buses
15. Thanks to gun show and other event volunteers!
16. Gun owners welcome at Bristow deli


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1. Legislative Alert: Constitutional Carry bill dies in Senate with tie vote
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Sadly, Senator Dick Black’s Constitutional Carry bill died today on the Senate Floor. It was a tie vote, with anti-liberty Lt. Governor Ralph Northam breaking the tie by voting against the bill.

Senator Tommy Norment joined with all but one of the Republicans in support of the bill.

Disappointingly, Republican Senator Emmitt Hanger and Democrat Senators Creigh Deeds, John Edwards, Chap Petersen, and Lynwood Lewis joined the likes of anti-liberty Senators Richard Saslaw, Donald McEachin, and Bloomberg’s pick, Jeremy McPike, in voting against the bill.

Here’s the full breakdown:

Voting pro-liberty (thank these Senators for their support if they represent you):

Black, Carrico, Chafin, Chase, Cosgrove, DeSteph, Dunnavant, Garrett, McDougle, Newman, Norment, Obenshain, Reeves, Ruff, Stanley, Stuart, Sturtevant, Suetterlein, Vogel, Wagner

Voting anti-libert (contact these Senators to show your disappointment in their vote if they represent you):

Alexander, Barker, Dance, Deeds, Ebbin, Edwards, Favola, Hanger, Howell, Lewis, Locke, Lucas, Marsden, McEachin, McPike, Miller, Petersen, Saslaw, Surovell, Wexton

Many thanks to Senator Dick Black for bringing this bill forward. Hopefully he will be encouraged to bring it again next year!

—

Here’s an article on the bill and the vote:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/vi ... story.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/zs7ef7s


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2. Articles on the reciprocity “deal”
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Caution! Lots of angry antis crying.

http://bearingarms.com/mcauliffes-cave- ... ampaign=nl

or

http://tinyurl.com/jkujkjm

—

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/vi ... ge%2Fstory

or

http://tinyurl.com/j8dmdph

—

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government ... -reversal/

or

http://tinyurl.com/z58asd3

—

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/ ... s-n2112082

or

http://tinyurl.com/z5sqzrr

—

http://www.roanoke.com/news/politics/ge ... c.facebook

or

http://tinyurl.com/htffy26

—

http://www.loudountimes.com/news/articl ... vhE.mailto

or

http://tinyurl.com/jr4c3h3


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3. February 9th Prince William Board of Supervisors to vote on free CHPs!
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On Tuesday, February 9, the Prince William Board of Supervisors will vote to drop the fee for a CHP. Leading the charge is Supervisor Corey Stewart! The idea was originally conceived by VCDL EM Bob Marcellus, who lost a close race to be on the Powhatan Board of Supervisors back in November.

If you live in Prince William, be sure to contact your Board of Supervisors member to support the effort. There shouldn’t be a fee to exercise a right.

Also, if you live in Prince William, plan on attending the actual hearing. You should arrive around 4 PM, as it is the last item on the agenda:

Board of County Supervisors Chambers
1 County Complex Court
Woodbridge, VA 22192

—

Article:

http://www.coreystewart.com/2016/01/18/ ... ermit-fee/

or

http://tinyurl.com/h243q7q

—

Corey Stewart’s press release:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 18, 2016
Contact: Kevin McNulty
E-Mail: kevin@coreystewart.com
Phone: 571-238-4346

Chairman Corey Stewart Proposes to Eliminate Concealed Handgun Permit Fee

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart, who represents over 460,000 Virginians, announced today that he is going to make it easier for County residents to defend themselves by proposing to waive all fees associated with the county issuance of concealed handgun permits. This policy will benefit all of the law abiding County citizens who pass the existing state background checks and meet the state statutory requirements for the issuance of the permit. Prince William County would be the first locality in Virginia to do so. Chairman Stewart's action will likely reverberate around the Commonwealth, and lead to other counties and cities proposing to do the same. The impetus for this proposal came from Powhatan resident and former candidate for supervisors, Bob Marcellus. Bob had worked on crafting this initiative with local and national gun owners rights organizations, and is working closely with Chairman Stewart as an advisor on this issue.

Chairman Stewart has the following comment, "I support the rights of Prince William County citizens. Look no further than here in Virginia, where our current Attorney General has put gun owners in a position of defending the exercise of their Second Amendment rights rather than expanding them. This policy allows well qualified citizens to freely exercise their Second Amendment rights. Eliminating the fee will remove another barrier for our citizens."

The Prince William County Sheriff and Clerk of the Court have been noted for and already offer citizens high levels of service, which includes their efficient and timely processing of existing applications.

Corey A. Stewart is the Chairman At-Large of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors, having been elected to his first term in 2006. Prince William County is located in Northern Virginia and is the Commonwealth's 2nd largest locality with a population of approximately 462,000 residents. Chairman Stewart has media availability throughout the day. To schedule an interview please contact Kevin McNulty, 571-238-4346.


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4. YES: Bedford County votes to remove restrictions on employees with CHPs carrying at work!
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Article says “Bedford ALLOWS employees to carry,” but they are really removing the restriction on their employees natural right to self-defense.

Congratulations to the Bedford County employees! Hopefully more localities will follow their lead.

http://www.roanoke.com/news/local/bedfo ... 9fc96.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/hjzgg6p

—

http://www.newsadvance.com/news/local/b ... 0b795.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/j6plqrp


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5. MUST WATCH: Excellent coverage of VCDL Lobby Day by Townhall.com, including video showing crowd size [VIDEO]
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http://townhall.com/tipsheet/mattvespa/ ... e-n2106734

or

http://tinyurl.com/j6nesl6


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6. VCDL Lobby Day coverage in The Blaze and other media
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Fun video on VCDL Lobby Day by The Blaze - shows the difference between our side and the dark side. VCDL member interviewed:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfDOdFcblu4

—

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local ... 04721.html

or

http://tinyurl.com/hbgkwab

—

http://www.nbc29.com/story/30994945/act ... n-richmond

--

http://video.richmond.com/Progun-rights ... stId=14003

or

http://tinyurl.com/hrt5l99


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7. Unintended consequences? McAuliffe’s gun ban stops some 4-H firearm-safety training
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I received this email from member Baxter Stegall:

I wanted to address a major issue that’s just been brought to my attention. I have spoken with a source who wishes not to be named due to fear of reprisal, who is heavily involved in the 4H programs in Virginia. The 4H program in 19 counties in Central Virginia utilize the Holiday Lake 4H Center at Holiday Lake State Park in Appomattox, VA. The 4H facility leases the land from the Virginia Department of Forestry, an executive agency.

Last week, people came and posted No Guns signs around the 4H camp. As you well know, 4H is one of the biggest proponents of firearms safety for children, and the Holiday Lake facility hosts summer camps for childrens’ firearms sports, as well as tournaments and training throughout the year in support of the 4H firearms programs. These programs have effectively been shut down by the fallout from Governor McAulliffe’s Executive Order.

I live in Nottoway, and both of my children have attended camp and programs at this facility. I want my children to participate in the firearms programs when they are old enough. The fact that this executive order has affected these programs causes me great consternation; I can think of few programs which effectively embrace teaching responsible firearms safety and competition to children.


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8. Comedian goes undercover to expose the truth on the “gun-show loophole” [VIDEO]
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Antis are gong to hate this!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2016/01 ... -requests/

or

http://tinyurl.com/zthpv4p


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9. Virginia State Police trading protection against federal overreach in exchange for federal funding
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I guess the Virginia State Police leadership has its priorities and gun owners lose.

http://shallnot.org/virginia-state-poli ... ping-feds/

or

http://tinyurl.com/js485ky


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10. Counties sending resolutions to Herring denouncing his actions on reciprocity
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Here is the resolution passed in Mecklenburg County:

WHEREAS, the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors having learned of a recent decision by the Attorney General of Virginia concerning Concealed Handgun Permits (CHP); and
WHEREAS, the Attorney General on December 22, 2015 announced that he was ending the practice of "reciprocity" regarding Virginia's Concealed Handgun Permits with twenty-five (25) of the thirty (30) states currently recognized by the State of Virginia; and
WHEREAS, by the order of the Attorney General, the Virginia State Police will only be able to recognize the CHP of only five 5 other states,; and
WHEREAS, due to the lack of "reciprocity", Virginia residents will automatically !ose their ability to carry a concealed handgun in six other states; and
WHEREAS, due to this ruling, the Attorney General has negatively affected the State of Virginia's tourism activities as two of the states included in this order are North Carolina and Tennessee, which cover the entire Southern border of Virginia;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mecklenburg County Board of Supervisors does hereby go on record opposing the decision of the Attorney General to no longer recognize Concealed Handgun Permits form twenty-five (25) other States on February 1, 2016, and does hereby request that the General Assembly take all actions necessary to stop this decision.

—

Here’s the resolution from Grayson County:

RESOLUTION

GRAYSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS’

OFFICIAL POSITION ON ATTORNEY GENERAL HERRING’S DIRECTIVE TO REVOKE CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT RECOGNITION FROM 25 RECIPROCAL STATES

WHEREAS, The Grayson County Board of Supervisors considers it a responsibility and duty to help insure the health, safety and welfare of its citizens and all those who find themselves to be within the boundaries of the County of Grayson, Virginia; and,

WHEREAS, the Grayson County Board of Supervisors has duly affirmed an oath to support and uphold both the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and feels it is the obligation under these oaths to put forth an official position to the new measures imposed by Attorney General Mark R. Herring to revoke concealed handgun permit recognition from 25 reciprocal states effective February 1st, 2016; and,

WHEREAS, the Board feels it equally important to identify, explore and implement ways to effectively reduce gun violence in the Commonwealth and to enhance public safety for both citizens and those who find themselves visiting the Old Dominion; and,

WHEREAS, the Board fervently contends that the consequential actions proposed by Attorney General Herring, as a result of the completed joint audit, is by definition a counterproductive measure and does not fully achieve the desired result of keeping the citizens of Grayson County nor those of the Commonwealth safer, in particular when traveling out of state, but rather reduces Virginians’ ability to better protect themselves and their families, and to more responsibly enjoy their Second Amendment right; and,

WHEREAS, Grayson County, Virginia is contiguous to both Tennessee and North Carolina, and citizens of Grayson County routinely travel roads to and from home and work that traverse state lines; and there are numerous properties all along the southern border of Grayson County that logistically requires ingress and egress through a bordering state; and the broad revocation of the conceal carry permit may subsequently lead to the invalidation of concealed handgun permits with these boarding states, as well as 25 others, and such revocation could lead to our citizens unknowingly violating the law; and,
WHEREAS, boarder-state counties, such as Grayson County, routinely rely on interstate commerce from residence of contiguous North Carolina and Tennessee localities as an important part of the local economy, primarily due to Virginia’s favorable price points on a variety of commodities; additionally, both Grayson County and the Commonwealth have a vibrant tourism industry and rely heavily on tourists and travel from the 25 states whose reciprocal concealed handgun permit will be revoked as of February 1st, 2016; and,

WHEREAS, the Board implores both the Executive and Legislative branches of our state government to unhastily focus their efforts on meaningful and effective legislation and actions, such as working holistically with other states to reach a mutually acceptable conceal carry reciprocal agreement that will well serve upstanding and law abiding citizens and effectively achieve a safer Virginia; and,

WHEREAS, the Board respectfully encourages Attorney General Herring to take into consideration the positions of the Commonwealth’s local elected leaders, those locally elected Sheriff’s charged with protecting their constituents, Virginia’s Clerks of Circuit Courts charged with issuing said permits, as well as the positions of those tax payers, voters and citizens of whom make up this great state;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Grayson County Board of Supervisors strongly opposes the immediate actions taken by Attorney General Herring to revoke concealed handgun permit recognition from 25 reciprocal states effective February 1st, 2016, for logical reasons to include making Virginians less safe and less responsible in exercising their Second Amendment right while traveling outside the Commonwealth.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Grayson County Board of Supervisors desires that the County of Grayson’s official position by Resolution be received and seriously considered by Attorney General Herring, Governor McAuliffe, the Virginia General Assembly and the Virginia State Police.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Grayson County Board of Supervisors wishes to share this position with our fellow Virginians and encourage all localities and municipalities in the Commonwealth to consider, by way of same Resolution, putting forth their official position on this matter and likewise providing it for serious consideration to Attorney General Herring, Governor McAuliffe, the Virginia General Assembly and the Virginia State Police.

Adopted this, the 14th day of January, 2016, in Grayson County, Virginia.

--

John Zubrod, on the Brunswick County Board of Supervisors, put in a resolution like those above, but the rest of the Board decided to “take the resolution under advisement.” Hopefully the rest of the Board will step up to the plate.


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11. Fairfax County needs election officers! You might consider doing this
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Election Officers Needed!

The Office of Elections is currently recruiting voters to serve as Election Officers a few days a year, including the upcoming 2016 elections. Election Officers are needed at each of the 241 precincts in Fairfax County to run the polls and assist the voters.

View the "Being an Election Officer" Video Listen to the Podcast "Need for Election Officers"

In order to be an Election Officer, you must:
. Be fluent in English
. Be a registered voter in the Commonwealth of Virginia
. Be able to fulfill the Federal I-9 employment eligibility requirements
. Attend a 3-hour training class
. Arrive at the polling place at 5:00 am and remain until all work has been completed after the polls close at 7pm
. Have basic computer skills

The Election Officer's main priority is to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the election process. A typical Election Day consists of:
. arriving one hour before polls open to set up voting equipment
. hanging up pertinent signage
. preparing the polling room for voting
. processing voters throughout the day
. assisting with operating voting equipment
. securing voting equipment and closing down the polling place at the end of the day

Election Officers are offered a stipend of $175 for serving a full day. We especially encourage bilingual citizens to serve as we need language assistance in many precincts. Residency in Fairfax County is not required.

It is a wonderful opportunity for those interested in the election process or public service, and we need civic-minded individuals to help make Election Day a success!

To apply, call the office at (703) 324-4735. You can also email or visit the Office of Elections website for more information.


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12. Lobby Day humor
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VCDL EM Patricia Webb sent me this:

Lobby Day humor...I went in the main door, partially because the CHP line was long and partially because I was carrying a purse (bags have to go through the x-ray machine). I had my wallet out with my driver's license and CHP showing and laid my purse and cell phone on the conveyor.

The guard asked me if I was armed and I said that I was. He told me that I had to use the CHP entrance, and I replied that since I had a bag I was supposed to use the main entrance...so he waived me through the metal detector where the second officer wanded me.

He looked at my belt buckle holster with my NAA mini revolver in it and said, "Is that your gun?" I said, "One of them, the other one is here," and I opened my coat to reveal my hip holster with my 1911.

He wanded both guns and then the rest of me and said I could proceed.

As I was picking up my purse, wallet and cell phone from the conveyor he approached me again and told me that he forgot to check my CHP.

I guess he was so flustered with my having two guns, one of which he didn't recognize as a gun, that he forgot what he was supposed to do!

I still don't understand why they need to wand us if we TELL them we are armed. But that's not for me to ponder...such things make my head hurt!


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13. Lobby Day impressions
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Member Bryan Dunn sent me this summary of his Lobby Day experience:

It’s early… and it’s cold. And those are not excuses, they are realities that we deal with often in our lives. Once I arrived at the meeting place it was time to do a couple of important things – ‘Sticker up’ and then volunteer for a group. The group (#17) that got stuck with me – I realized that my representatives were not on the list for this group to visit. That is not a bad thing in the least. In hindsight, I now realize that if an all-volunteer group may not have any constituents for folks that are visited to hand off our legislative information, we may not get to meet with the Delegate or Senator we are visiting. For our group we did get to meet with great folks that were aides and assistants to the Delegates/Senators we needed to deliver the legislative package to, but did not have the pleasure to meet with the actual Delegates/Senators.

Suggest each attendee ask what office you can find your representatives’ in, and bring along a sticker for the opportunity to speak with the folks that work for you. I knew the names of those that worked for me, but even if you don’t folks are very helpful – it’s Lobby Day after all. Visit the information center and ask to speak with your representatives!

Since both of my elected officials had heard from me via Facebook posts as well as numerous emails, I understood who I needed to contact. I did not think they would know me, after all, they represent a wide swath of voters in my area. I can say I voted for folks that were running against these gentlemen because – both were incumbent and I knew their voting record on issues important to me (thank you VCDL for the Legislative tracking tools you provide!).

When most of the group I was with came to my first visit, I did not have high hopes. So far, we had not been successful in seeing an elected official. When I asked if I could see my Delegate, the helpful assistant took my information and noted I was a constituent and went into my Delegates’ office. When she came out, she said he did want to see me – I was surprised to be honest. However, I could not take those that had come with me. So forward movement was good (not perfect, I’m certain others may be better versed and can do a better job of sharing our concerns).

My delegate was engaging and said he was wanting to meet with me because he remembered my posts and emails. I didn’t fear that, I’m pretty straight forward but always polite and don’t make it personal. We had a great chat. He took about 20 minutes out of his busy day to speak with me, listen to my concerns, tell me about his position and share his stance on issues that were important to me. I certainly left with a positive impression and I trust he will continue to remember me and will have a positive impression of what I shared with him concerning my rights. I invited him to go to the range with me if he had the chance, and I hope he takes me up on it – building positive relationships is never a bad thing (and I’m hard pressed to think of having a bad time any time I get to go to the range…).

My senator also spent about 20 minutes with me, and again I was surprised. I realize these gentleman have full schedules, but it speaks volumes to me that they took time when a constituent asks to meet with them. Again, I did not vote for my senator in the last election cycle due to his voting record on my behalf. He was very engaging and asked great questions of me concerning why certain things were important. This gave me the opportunity to express why I – while not opposed to background checks (I have been through quite a few and have passed them all) I did have a concern when these ‘checks’ turn into databases – in my opinion this is a potentially nefarious way to start or maintain a backdoor gun registration. My impression of my senator only improved once I had the chance to meet with him, and … since he also remembered me from Facebook postings and emails, I believe he was left with a different impression of me as well.

All in all this was an excellent experience for me. Yes, it was cold. Yes, this took time away from family (if you didn’t have to work on the holiday) or required you to take off from work (that was me). But, the opportunity to meet with my representatives and to get a small block of time to express my concerns and legislative desires to them, while answering questions they had to me that concerned my constitutional rights was indeed priceless. I hope to continue to build on this as the year (and years) progress.

My thanks to the VCDL for again making Lobby Day a success – as far as I could tell. You all do a fantastic job of representing my concerns in our Commonwealth in a way that is understandable and honorable.



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14. Another member made a nice donation toward the Lobby Day buses
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I want to thank member C. Douglas Walker for his generous donation of $300 to help offset the cost of the buses VCDL had for Lobby Day!


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15. Thanks to gun show and other event volunteers!
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Virginia Beach Gun Show, October 17-18, 2015

Emy & Lois Conrad; Bill Rearick; Ed Broyles; Patrick Dyer; Joe Sherwood; Michael Ferris; Brendan Mooney; Gary Moeller (coordinator)


Dale City Gun Show, January 9 & 10, 2016

Tess Ailshire, Brian Little, Tom Pieatras, Ken Van Wyk, Michael Greelish, Jon Ortega, Randy Royston, Terrell Prude, Rosy Zhi, Dexter Guptil, and Richard Kroh (coordinator)l for volunteering. Also James Roberson and Jack Carwile for setting up the booth on Friday.


Wilderness Trail Festival

Dave Hicks, John Wilburn, Nina Wilburn, Wendy Sturgill, Chris Sturgill, Shelia Rigney.


Abingdon Gun Show November 7 & 8, 2015

Chris Sturgil; Wendy Sturgil; Bailee Weddle


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16. Gun owners welcome at Bristow deli
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Tom Badolato contacted us to say that gun owners are especially welcome at his business:

Tom & Suzie's NY Bagel Deli
9110 Devlin Rd #140
Bristow, VA 20136
571-758-3354
www.tsnybd.com
facebook.com/tomandsuziesbagels



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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/]

[WRW]

Two things regarding #9:

The use of Federal funds, or the withholding of funds, as a carrot for enforcement of Federal programs should be made illegal. This places far too much power in Federal hands

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[WRW]

The second thing is cautionary: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/

If the link doesn't work, the gist of the story is that Missouri State Police shared the names of ALL concealed carry permittees with SSA for a fishing expedition on Social Security fraud...and, similar to the sharing of that information from Virginia to Maryland, it is considered to be legal simply because a law enforcement agency requested it. This should require a warrant for specific investigation only.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[WRW]

Searching that site for: "SSA concealed carry" brings up a follow-up to the original story.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]