VA-ALERT: VCDL Update 2/18/10

[OakRidgeStars]

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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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VCDL Update 2/18/10

1. House panel approves repeal of gun-a-month law
2. Regulatory landscape for guns to change in National Parks on
February 22
3. Lighter gun restrictions coming to a National Park near you
4. Restaurant ban repeal article
5. More restaurant ban coverage
6. Senator Norment speaks to Doc Thompson about restaurant ban vote
7. Residents fumed over weekend alcohol, firearm ban
8. Gunmen rob woman in North Stafford
9. Who needs a gun in downtown Winchester?
10. OP: Support the 2nd Amendment if you love your freedom
11. NRA, onetime ally feud over next big guns case to go before Supreme Court
12. Baby killed, mom injured in Vegas ax attack
13. BBC News - Knife amnesty on Anglesey after man died from stab
14. F&P Radio show stations and times
15. February 20-21 Gun Shows in Fredericksburg and VIrginia Beach
canceled
16. Discount for VCDL members at NOVA Armament


**************************************************
1. House panel approves repeal of gun-a-month law
**************************************************

http://tinyurl.com/yex47vw

voices.washingtonpost.com
By Anita Kumar
February 12, 2010

A House committee on Friday overwhelmingly approved a bill that would
repeal Virginia's 17-year-old ban on buying more than one handgun per
month.

Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter, the bill's sponsor, told the panel Friday
morning that the law is obsolete because the General Assembly has
carved out so many exceptions to it already, including a provision
that exempts more than 200,000 people who hold concealed-weapons
permits. He also argued that instant electronic background checks --
which were not in place when the law was enacted in 1993 -- also make
the law unnecessary. And he said that the law has only hampered law-
abiding citizens interested in buying guns and has done nothing to
combat illegal trafficking in weapons.

"Criminals who are inclined to break the law don't obey this one,"
Lingamfelter said.

But Andrew Goddard, a gun-control activist whose child was injured in
the 2007 shooting rampage at Virginia Tech, told the panel that the
law had been credited with reducing Virginia's role in illegal gun-
trafficking on the East Coast, a conduit once known as the Iron
Pipeline. Before the law became former Gov. Douglas Wilder's signature
achievement, Virginia ranked first in illegal guns moving to urban
areas in the East. Afterward, Goddard said, it dropped to sixth.

Speaking to a largely empty hearing room in the General Assembly
building, several gun-control activists also criticized the panel for
bringing up the bill Friday with little public notice that it would be
heard. Committee Chairwoman Beverly Sherwood said the lack of notice
was inadvertent, and opened the floor to public testimony. Echoing
remarks that the lack of notice was not intentional, Majority Leader
H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem), who sits on the committee, said the
bill, HB49, had been filed in December, and anyone who wished to be
heard on it has had ample opportunity.

The House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee also sent a host
of other bills to the floor that would loosen restrictions on buying
or carrying weapons in the commonwealth.

Original post: Did the House Republican leadership perform a little
sleight of hand to push a controversial pro-gun bill along without any
of those pesky gun control people around?
Lori Haas, a gun-control activist with the Virginia Center for Public
Safety, thinks so.

Haas said Thursday that she believes behind-the-scenes maneuvering
allowed a subcommittee to take action on a bill to repeal a ban on
buying more than one gun in a 30-day period while no one in her camp
was looking.

But late Thursday, news of legislative action on the gun-a-month bill
also came as a surprise to Philip Van Cleave, president of the
Virginia Citizens Defense League. Van Cleave, who shows up wearing a
blaze orange "Guns Save Lives" sticker to almost any meeting involving
gun rights, said that he believed the controversial repeal was on its
way to a quiet death.

"Wow!" said Van Cleave upon learning that the bill had been endorsed
5-0 by a subcommittee late Thursday. "My suspicion is that that this
was headed for a pocket veto. Someone must have complained."

Van Cleave said he had not even been aware that the bill had been
assigned to a subcommittee. And, for a time, neither was Haas, whose
daughter survived minor gunshot wounds in the 2007 Virginia Tech
shootings.

Haas said she and other gun control activists have been watching HB49
from just about the moment Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Prince
William) wrote it. They hope, if not to stop the bill in the
Republican-led House, at least to follow its every move and be heard
about it.

But on Thursday, the bill disappeared from their radar screens for a
while. As late as 1 p.m., HB49 had still not been assigned to any
subcommittee docket, according to Haas, who said she checked it the
online Legislative Information System. Haas also talked to staff in
the House clerk's office.

But around 1:30 p.m., House Militia, Police and Public Safety
Committee Chairwoman Beverly J. Sherwood evidently assigned the bill
to subcommittee No. 1 -- which happened to be meeting at 5 p.m. that
afternoon, according to Haas, who said she learned this from talking
with staff in the clerk's office. The subcommittee's docket was posted
at 1:44 p.m., she said.

The agenda contained just one item: Lingamfelter's bill to repeal the
one-gun-a-month law enacted 17 years ago as one of former governor
Doug Wilder's signature achievements.

The subcommittee -- Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (Salem); Dels.
David A. Nutter (Montgomery); Mark L. Keam (Fairfax); Thomas C.
"Tommy" Wright, Jr. (Lunenburg); ; and Lingamfelter, all of whom are
Republicans except Keam, a freshman Democrat - voted unanimously to
endorse the bill, according to LIS.

As of 9:00 p.m., however, LIS was still not showing that the bill was
docketed for a regularly scheduled meeting Friday morning of the full
House Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee, when several other
gun bills will be heard. Haas said she learned from a real live clerk,
however, that the committee will hear the bill Friday.

"If you were a member of the public, you would not know it's being
heard," Haas said. "It's dirty politics."

Van Cleave said he's not so sure it was a ploy by gun-friendly law
makers.

"If they were playing games, they sure as hell didn't tell me," Van
Cleave said.

Jeff Ryer, a spokesman for the Republican majority, urged both sides
to take a deep breath.

"There was nothing backroom about this," he said. If anything, this
week's crazy weather played a role in the last-minute shuffling, he
said.


**************************************************
2. Regulatory landscape for guns to change in National Parks on
February 22
**************************************************

Bruce Jackson emailed me this:

--

They screw up on VA law in this article....

http://tinyurl.com/yjxlhkr

http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com
By Kurt Repanshek
February 7, 2010

A controversial rule change concerning firearms in national parks
takes effect February 22, a change likely to cause confusion and raise
concerns over personal safety, but one also that could go largely
unnoticed and give some a measure of personal security.

Foisted upon the National Park Service in a most curious way --
attached as an amendment to legislation that had nothing to do with
national parks but everything to do with addressing credit cards --
the legislation has kept Park Service staff meeting for months on how
to clear the way for park visitors to carry not just concealed weapons
if they hold the requisite permits, but to openly carry rifles and
shotguns.

Problems the Park Service hopes to have sorted out by February 22
include defensible definitions for what constitutes a federal facility
-- Are the labyrinths that define Mammoth Cave? The warming huts in
Yellowstone? Open-air facilities such as the Children's Theater-in-the-
Woods at the Wolf Trap National Park for Performing Arts? The communal
bathhouses at Curry Village in Yosemite? And they hope to have
carefully navigated the various state laws that might use "firearms,"
"gun," "weapons," or some other nomenclature in their particular
statutes.

Each park also is expected to have a handy information card for
visitors that explains the rule change and outlines the applicable gun
regulations for that park. But what looks good on paper might not look
so good out in the field. For instance, how might rangers in parks
with visible wildlife, such as Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, Theodore
Roosevelt, react if a visitor grabs his rifle simply to look through
its scope to get a closer view of an elk or bison?

While the rule change has been applauded by many 2nd Amendment
backers, there are ongoing efforts in New York, California, and Maine
to block it in their states. In Maine, a legislative committee is
expected late this week to consider a bill (see attached) that would
circumvent the rule change for units of the National Park System in
the Pine Tree State -- Acadia National Park, St. Croix Island
International Historic Site, and the Appalachian Trail -- by making
the previous firearms rule, which allowed weapons to be transported
through parks as long as they were unloaded, broken down, and out of
reach, the law.

"There is concern in a number of state legislatures by the fact that
the new law, which will go into effect February 22, is NOT limited to
concealed firearms being carried by permitted individuals with
training. The new law allows for any kind of firearm to be carried in
a national park unit unless the state forbids it," the National Parks
Conservation Association said. "Some state legislators are troubled
that that their state laws may not sufficiently keep firearms, such as
holstered pistols, rifles, and semi-automatic weapons, from being
openly carried in national park units in their states. They also worry
that there could be adverse impacts on tourism.

"NPCA supports any effort at the state level to retain the firearm
rules developed during the Reagan administration that simply require
firearms to be unloaded and put away while visiting a national park
unit. This is a reasonable requirement that has proven successful at
maintaining America's parks as safe family friendly destinations. It
has also served as an invaluable tool in combating poaching and harm
to historical resources."

In Maine, Friends of Acadia, a non-profit that fosters and supports
stewardship of Acadia, worked to see "LD 1737" introduced to the
Legislature.

"The previous rules were working perfectly fine here in Acadia, and I
think that for, especially for the rangers, the new firearms laws
present a challenge," said Stephanie Clement, conservation director
for the friends group. The old rule, she went on, made it easier for
rangers to spot possible poachers; anyone carrying a firearm could be
stopped. Under the rule change, it would no longer be that simple, she
said.

"Really, it was a very effective anti-poaching tool. It was an
opportunity for a point of contact, so that point of contact will be
gone," said Ms. Clement.

Additionally, there are many park visitors who worry the rule change
could actually endanger their personal safety, not enhance it, she
said. While those who endorse the rule change say it will give them a
greater sense of safety from wild animals and human predators, Ms.
Clement said there are many others who dread the thought of pitching a
tent next to another where there might be firearms, or hiking up
trails with others carrying guns.

"It's going to be a scary thing for a lot of visitors who don't live
in the Alaska wilderness or in places where people are used to seeing
folks with open firearms," she said.

For the National Park Service, sorting through the regulatory
changeover has been somewhat daunting. Under the change, firearm
regulations in a specific park would resemble those of the state in
which the park is located, except, however, when it comes to federal
facilities. They would still be off-limits to visitors with guns. But
what is a federal facility? Certainly, park headquarters and visitor
centers would be considered federal facilities. But what about
restrooms, warming huts, amphitheaters, or concession facilities?

"The federal facility law, the way I understand it, defines a federal
facility as a building where federal employees work on a regular
basis," explained David Barna, the Park Service's chief of
communications. "Now, trying to find out what 'regular' means can also
be difficult. We're assuming that means if they work there weekly,
that that's probably a federal facility. But that would not include
our concessions facilities."

Campgrounds, shower facilities, and restrooms likely would not be
federal facilities, since they're not regularly assigned duty
stations, he added, "even though we may go in and clean them."

And yet, what about the campfire ring where there are regular ranger
talks? Probably not a federal "facility," as there's no roof overhead,
said Mr. Barna.

"So at a campfire talk, you would be able to carry your firearm," he
said, only to pause before adding, "and again, all these things have
so many caveats. In Virginia the state law says if it's a gathering of
children, it's prohibited. So if you were at an amphitheater
conducting a children's program in the summer, in the state of
Virginia, they will say that during that program you can't have a
firearm."

That's where the subtle nuances can change from state to state, and
why the Park Service hopes to have those handy information cards ready
for your visit beginning on February 22.

"We've asked all the parks, and we are going to have an all-
superintendents phone call, and we've asked people to submit those
instances where they do need to make a decision, and we're going to
make those decisions and just see how it plays out," Mr. Barna said.

As for Mammoth Cave and other parks with ranger-led cave tours?

"A cave is not a building, it's not man-made," said the spokesman. "It
is a place, however, where federal employees work on a regular basis,
and we give tours, and almost all the instances, when you enter these
big touring caves you're entering through a federal facility to get
into them anyway, there's some gatehouse or entrance. Now, a cave out
here in the woods, like out here behind my house, probably would not
apply. In other words firearms would probably be OK. But in those
places like Mammoth and Carlsbad where you actually enter through a
federal facility to get into it, you probably could ban the firearms
in those places."

But when it comes to these caves, what constitutes a "federal
facility"? At Crystal Cave in Sequoia National Park a ticket is
purchased at the Foothills or Lodgepole visitor centers. At the cave,
you hand your ticket to a ranger and pass through a gate into the
cave. So where's the "facility"? A similar setup can be encountered at
Mammoth Cave.

"We're wrestling with those decisions. At some point somebody's going
to have to make a decision and let it be tested, I think," said Mr.
Barna.

And then there are the concession facilities. In some parks these
lodges and hotels are owned by concessionaires, in others they are
park facilities leased to concessionaires.

"Concessionaires also have to operate under their state law. We're not
directing the concessions people for what they should or shouldn't
do," said Mr. Barna. "That's kind of broken into two pieces. There is,
the concessionaire dealing with the public, and there is the
concessionaire dealing with their own employees. Someone in a staff
meeting said they had heard -- I can't verify this -- that Xanterra
(Parks & Resorts) has as a condition of employment that their
employees don't carry firearms. They don't want those firearms in the
dorms where all of these young kids are, so they as an employer can
probably do that for their employees.

"What their restrictions are on doing things for the public are
something that those concessionaires are going to have to find out.
How do restaurants out in the community operate?" he continued. "What
can the owner/operator of a facility in that state do, and that should
dictate what these concession operators can do. So it may very well be
that you won't have consistency across the country at restaurants in
parks because the state laws aren't consistent with restaurants."

Requests made to Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Parks,
ARAMARK, and Forever Resorts for how they were dealing with the
impending rule change were not immediately answered.

While Mr. Barna said there are expectations that some gun owners will
show up in national parks on or after February 22 simply to showcase
their 2nd Amendment rights, in the long run he hopes the rule change
will quickly meld into the background.

"Even in the staff meetings you get that entire breadth of opinion ...
people who are really concerned this will be a big issue, but I'm kind
of the moderator who comes back and says, 'You know, in Virginia you
can carry these things now. I've lived in Virginia for 35 years and
it's not like you walk around the see people carrying openly," he
said. "So it shouldn't be any different in the parks than it is in the
states you're in.

"...Certainly there will be those people whose view is, maybe they
don't feel safe because they know someone has weapons there. But
remember, there are also those people who now feel safer because they
do have their weapons," said Mr. Barna. "And so you're going to have
that whole gamut of opinion. We have had instances and emails from
people on both sides of this issue, and certainly we've had people who
say, back when the rule was proposed, 'The judge killed this, I'm
never coming back to a national park until I can bring my weapons and
protect my family and myself.'

"We've got to stay middle-of-the-road. We're implementing a law like
we implement all laws."


**************************************************
3. Lighter gun restrictions coming to a National Park near you
**************************************************

http://tinyurl.com/ycu8ez6

washingtonindependeant.com
By Mike Lillis
February 9, 2010

When Congress passed new consumer protections for credit card holders
last May, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) successfully attached a not-at-all-
related amendment allowing firearms in national parks, so long as gun
carriers comply with laws of the state in which the park is located.
That law is now scheduled to take effect on Feb. 22.

In preview, the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees has
released examples of some of the activities soon to be permitted under
the new statute.

In Wyoming's Yellowstone Park, for example, backcountry hikers will be
free to openly carry firearms. At Virginia's Wolf Trap Foundation for
the Performing Arts, concertgoers - including those picnicking on the
lawn - will have the same opportunity. In Alaska's Denali and
Colorado's Mesa Verde parks, handguns in holsters might soon be in
fashion. Visitors to Pennsylvania's Gettysburg National Park - a
popular field-trip destination for the area's public schools - will be
able to carry rifles across those battlefields. The list goes on.

For it's part, CNPSR opposes the changes, citing the heightened risk
for rangers and the increased likelihood that wildlife - as well as
natural and historical monuments - will become irresistible targets.

"A feeling of safety and security will be replaced by wariness and
suspicion," Bill Wade, chair of CNPSR's executive council and former
head of Virginia's Shenandoah National Park, said in a statement.
"This diminishes some of the 'specialness and reverence' our citizens
have long accorded to their national parks."

Too bad for Wade that his voice doesn't carry quite so far on Capitol
Hill as that of the National Rifle Association.


**************************************************
4. Restaurant ban repeal article
**************************************************

There is much good news coming out of the General Assembly so far this
year. However, there is much more work yet to be done.

http://tinyurl.com/yf76tcj

wjz.com
By Dena Potter
February 10, 2010

Va. Senate Committee Approves Gun Bills

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Gun owners could take concealed guns into more
places, including bars, and renew their permits by mail under bills
that passed a key Senate committee on Wednesday.

The Senate Courts Committee voted 8-7 to allow those with concealed
weapon permits to carry hidden guns into restaurants as long as they
don't drink alcohol. Another bill would allow guns to be locked in
compartments of boats or vehicles even if the gun owner did not have a
concealed carry permit.

The committee did not take up a perennially unsuccessful bill to close
the so-called gun-show loophole, where private sellers at the shows
don't have to perform background checks on buyers. The House already
had killed a similar bill.

Senate Democrats took advantage of a newly expanded 22-18 majority to
replace two retiring Republicans on the committee with two Democrats.
However, one of those, Sen. Chap Petersen of Fairfax County, joined
three other pro-gun right Democrats on the committee.

"It's madness to allow guns in bars, and it's very discouraging we
don't have the votes to stop it," Sen. Janet Howell, D-Fairfax, said
after the meeting.

The restaurant bill passed the General Assembly twice before, but was
vetoed by former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine. Gov. Bob McDonnell supports
the bill, a version of which likely will pass the House this week.

In Virginia, gun owners can openly carry guns into restaurants, but
cannot conceal a weapon.

Supporters of the bill say it would be safer if the gun were tucked
away snugly on the patron's hip or in a purse. Opponents argue that
guns and alcohol don't mix.

Restaurant industry representatives said concealed weapons are allowed
in the state's 11,000 restaurants that do not sell alcohol, and
allowing them in those that do could put bar owners in a predicament.

"It's going to be real hard for someone to determine whether that
person they're passing a beer or drink across the bar to if they have
a concealed weapon on them," said Robert McNulty, general manager of
Sine Irish Pub in Richmond.

Restaurant owners can refuse to allow guns - whether open or concealed
- into their establishments.

"Criminals don't need permission to do anything. They don't seek
permission to do anything," said Jim Hollar, a member of Gunowners of
America. "What this is about is the law-abiding citizen that needs to
protect himself from this individual."

Andrew Goddard, whose son was wounded during a mass shooting at
Virginia Tech in 2007 but survived, got his concealed carry permit
after passing an online course even though he said he knew nothing
about guns. He said that fact, combined with the concern that some
people with felonies or a history of mental illness still can get
permits, makes him uncomfortable with putting so much trust into
concealed carry permit holders.

"I would be a lot more comfortable if I knew this meant something,"
Goddard said, holding up his permit.

Sen. Ralph Smith's bill would allow would allow concealed carry permit
holders to renew their five-year permit via mail instead of appearing
in person.

A concealed carry permit would not be required to lock guns in
containers or compartments in cars or boats under Sen. Jill Vogel's
bill, another proposal Kaine twice vetoed for fear it could endanger
law enforcement officers. Usually, a weapon cannot be concealed unless
the gunowner has a concealed carry permit.

Under current law, motorists without concealed weapons permits may put
guns on the seat beside them in plain view. Vogel said locking the gun
in a glovebox would be safer if children were in the car.


**************************************************
5. More restaurant ban coverage
**************************************************

Curtis Stone emailed me this:

--

A bit more balanced article from NBC Charlottesville. They even quote
Phillip

http://tinyurl.com/y9aow2b

http://www.nbc29.com
By Adam Rhew

State lawmakers have given the green light for several controversial
firearm measures. They are measures that were vetoed in years past.
But with a new governor, there is a good chance they will become law.

These debates about gun control take place every year; always with
impassioned testimony from both sides. But on perhaps the most
controversial issue, lawmakers decided to wait another year.

By narrow margins the Senate Courts of Justice Committee endorsed two
proposals to expand Virginia gun laws. The first would allow anyone to
carry a concealed weapon in a locked compartment in their car, such as
a glove box.

"If you don't have that conceal carry permit, then you arguably have
to leave it out in the open," said 27th District Senator Jill Vogel.

By an 8-7 split lawmakers said okay to that measure despite concerns
from staff attorneys, who said the bill would be welcome news for
criminals.
"If they found out that they could carry their guns in a locked glove
compartment, I promise you they will do that," said Senate Staff
Attorney Steve Benjamin.

State Senator Creigh Deeds was among the handful of Democrats who
broke ranks to vote in favor of the measure.

By the same 8-7 tally lawmakers also okayed Republican Emmett Hanger's
bill to allow concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol.
Some restaurant owners do not like it.

"Alcohol and guns just do not mix," said Manager Robert McNulty.

But gun rights supporters say it allows more flexibility for private
citizens.

"This bill also lets the restaurant choose," explained Philip Van
Cleve of the Virginia Citizens Defense League. "They're now given
choices they don't have."

Senators were supposed to take up the so-called 'gun show loophole,'
which allows private citizens to buy and sell guns without background
checks. But in a surprise move lawmakers voted to hold off on the
issue until next year.

Sources say that Democratic Senate leadership made the call late
Wednesday afternoon to push the gun show loophole measure until next
year because of concerns that Democrats could not find the votes to
pass it out of the courts committee.


**************************************************
6. Senator Norment speaks to Doc Thompson about restaurant ban vote
**************************************************

Senator Tommy Norment gets nailed on his bad vote on the restaurant
ban repeal by Doc Thompson (WRVA - 1140 AM)

http://tinyurl.com/ybuhxty


**************************************************
7. Residents fumed over weekend alcohol, firearm ban
**************************************************

What possible difference would a little snowfall make to a citizen's
ability to arm themselves for self defense?. This brings back ugly
memories of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

http://tinyurl.com/ybzd9qr

http://www.wxii12.com
February 9, 2010

King State of Emergency lifted Monday

KING, N.C. -- Residents in King were fumed over the weekend after a
state of emergency declaration restricted the sale of alcohol and the
carrying of firearms in vehicles.

King Police Chief Paula May said she's received hundreds of threats
related to the restrictions, which banned driving from 12 a.m. Sunday
to 5 a.m.

The state of emergency for King was declared by members of the City
Council after Stokes County authorities also declared a state of
emergency.

Under North Carolina law, May said, when a state of emergency is put
into place that includes a ban on driving, the carrying of firearms in
vehicles is also banned. The King city curfew banned the sale of
alcohol.

"I think there's been some misinterpretation that I personally have
declared martial law and taken away people's right to bear arms and
that's erroneous," May told WXII reporter Jermont Terry. "By law,
statute 14-288.7 automatically went into effect. And that law which
goes into effect when there's a state of emergency prohibits the
transportation, purchase sale and possession of firearms other than on
one's own premises."

The news of the ban created a firestorm of criticism.

"This is absolutely the craziest thing I have ever heard. So far
fetched that I am speechless!" one post on WXII12.com read.

"This has to be the most ridiculous event of the century!!!!! This is
the ultimate denial of liberties for the most asinine reason...bad
weather!!!" another poster wrote.

May said officers did pull people over who were in violation of the
curfew driving ban, but no tickets were issued.

"We did find some people on the streets," May said. "We didn't take
any enforcement actions. We spoke to the people driving and helped
them to get to where they needed to be."

May wouldn't give details on the types of threats other than to say
they had been phoned, faxed and e-mailed.

"We have to take them all serious and we'll investigate to the best of
our ability and determine the source of those threats," she said.

The state of emergency was lifted Monday morning.


**************************************************
8. Gunmen rob woman in North Stafford
**************************************************

Bruce Jackson emailed me this:

--

I think I need to blanket this neighborhood with gun course ads....

http://tinyurl.com/y9jpyke

fredericksburg.com
By Keith Epps
February 3, 2010

A woman was robbed at gunpoint in North Stafford late Monday just
after getting into her vehicle, police said.

Stafford Sheriff's spokesman Bill Kennedy said the incident took place
at the Vine Place apartment complex in the 1500 block of Providence
Street. The victim, who has a Prince William address, was surprised by
three males after getting into her vehicle.

One of the suspects opened the driver's door and pointed a gun at her
while the other two got into the passenger's seat and the back seat.
The gunman demanded all of her money and her credit cards.

The suspect in the front seat then took the woman's purse and began
rummaging through it. He was wearing a green shirt over his face and
only his eyes could be seen, Kennedy said.

The gunman was trying to keep the woman from leaving the car and at
one point called for one of his accomplices to help him. After
struggling with her for a few seconds, Kennedy said, the suspects left
her at the car and took off running with her purse. They were last
seen running in the 1100 block of Providence Street.

Kennedy said deputies surrounded the area and found three people
matching the descriptions of the suspects. But further investigation
revealed they were not involved in the incident, and they were
released. The real suspects were not apprehended.

All three suspects were described as black males. One was 5 feet 8
inches tall and 140 pounds and was wearing a black coat, shirt and
pants. A second suspect was described as being 5 feet 4 inches tall,
wearing dark clothing. No description was given of the third suspect.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the
Sheriff's Office at 658-4400 or Crime Solvers at 659-2020.


**************************************************
9. Who needs a gun in downtown Winchester?
**************************************************

Curtis Winter emailed me this:

--

http://tinyurl.com/ydkwgdq

http://www.tv3winchester.com
By Andrea Oleen
February 10, 2010

Winchester authorities are investigating a downtown mugging that
happened Tuesday night.

Authorities say a couple was walking near the BB&T on Cameron Street
just after 9:00 pm when two men approached them, pulled out a gun and
demanded money.

Police say the suspect with the gun was between 60 and 65 years old,
was about 5'10'', and was wearing a navy blue coat. The second suspect
was a younger black male, 6'4'' tall, and 220 pounds. He was wearing a
large black coat.

The couple gave the men $3 and suspects ran away.

If you have any information call Winchester Police or Crime Solvers at
(540) 665-TIPS


**************************************************
10. OP: Support the 2nd Amendment if you love your freedom
**************************************************

A reader gives Mr McCloskey a history lesson on gun control.

http://tinyurl.com/yfgluhl

http://www.newsleader.com
February 9, 2010

A few weeks ago, our local wannabe funnyman Mr. McCloskey had a doodle
in The News Leader depicting an obese, grubby-looking man packing more
weapons than Rambo. The message of this caricature of a Second
Amendment supporter was, "As a law-abiding Virginian, I have the right
to treat my anti-social paranoia and feelings of inadequacy by being
able to purchase more than one gun per month!"

McCloskey was obviously attempting to mock and ridicule supporters of
the Second Amendment for opposing gun control in Virginia. The second
amendment is as follows, "... the right of the people to keep and bear
arms, shall not be infringed."

Mr. McCloskey, do you take issue with the Bill of Rights and view the
intellectual giants who crafted our Constitution with contempt just
like the current, corrupt political elite in Washington? Or do you not
know the meaning of the word "infringe?" Maybe, you were doodling
during your history classes, so let's look at some past instances of
gun control to educate you on the issue:

"Uganda established gun control in 1970. From 1971-1979, 300,000
defenseless Christians were exterminated. China established gun
control in 1935. From 1949-1976, 20-35 million defenseless political
dissidents were exterminated. The list goes on but a conservative
estimate suggests that 70 million people lost their lives as a result
of gun control in the last century," according to http://www.jpfo.org.

In 2001, according to breakthechain.org, only one year after Australia
enacted gun control legislation they saw an increase in nationwide
homicides by 3.2 percent, assaults increased by 8.6 percent; and armed
robberies increased by 44 percent. In the state of Victoria, homicides
with firearms increased by 300 percent.

The reasoning behind the 2nd Amendment is made clear by Thomas
Jefferson's quote, "The strongest reason for the people to retain the
right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect
themselves against tyranny in government." The right to bear arms
means the difference between a citizen and a slave and once this is
lost all other rights will soon follow. So please join your fellow Tea
Party Patriots in defending our liberties.


**************************************************
11. NRA, onetime ally feud over next big guns case to go before
Supreme Court
**************************************************

http://tinyurl.com/yke7nbt

http://www.washingtonpost.com
By Robert Barnes
February 8, 2010

The National Rifle Association was on the outside looking in when the
Supreme Court handed gun rights activists a landmark victory in 2008.

After the court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual
right to gun ownership and that the District's handgun ban was
unconstitutional, it was an upstart band of libertarian lawyers that
celebrated on the marble steps and received the glory for the
breakthrough decision.

The NRA, the nation's premier and most powerful gun rights group, has
worked hard not to be in that position again. And because of an
unusual intervention recently by the justices, its attorney will be in
the mix when the court considers the next big guns case next month.

The case is McDonald v. Chicago, a challenge of gun laws in Chicago
and its suburbs that are strikingly similar to the Washington handgun
ban. It asks the court to decide something left unsettled in its
landmark ruling in Heller v. District of Columbia: whether the Second
Amendment offers protection against actions by state and local
governments, not just the federal government and its enclaves.

The attorney for those challenging the laws is Alan Gura, an
Alexandria lawyer who successfully argued the Heller case. But the
court, without explanation, granted the NRA's request to give its
attorney time at the podium as well; the court sliced Gura's time by a
third and gave it to the NRA and its recently hired attorney, Paul D.
Clement, who was solicitor general in the George W. Bush administration.

The decision has brought howls of complaint from those who support
Gura and underscores the bad blood between the erstwhile Second
Amendment allies.
Ilya Shapiro, a Supreme Court scholar at the libertarian Cato
Institute, where Gura has ties, wrote, "NRA prefers to seek glory for
itself rather than presenting the strongest case for its purported
constituency of gun owners." He said in an interview that the NRA's
decision to seek time at oral arguments March 2 was "about
fundraising, not lawyering."

NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam responded: "Our client is the Second
Amendment. We wanted to make sure that all avenues were addressed and
all bases covered" in convincing the court that the amendment applies
to state and local governments.
To anyone who is not a constitutional scholar, the idea that the Bill
of Rights applies only to actions of the federal government might seem
illogical. But the court has decided that each amendment must be
applied, or "incorporated," to the states through specific decisions.
The court has done that with most of the amendments -- but not the
Second -- relying on the "due-process clause" of the 14th Amendment.

Gura says that using that path would be fine but that the best way to
make the decision is through another clause of the 14th Amendment, one
that forbids states from passing laws that would dilute the
"privileges or immunities" that come with U.S. citizenship.
In a way, Shapiro said, the differing approaches distinguish "gun
nuts," whose sole interest is a protection of Second Amendment rights,
from "constitution nuts," who think the case offers a chance to
reassert the importance of the privileges-or-immunities argument.

In arguing to the court that it needed to hear from him, Clement said
that only seven pages of Gura's 73-page brief dealt with the due
process clause. Because that is the most "straightforward route" to
deciding the case -- the other would require the court to overturn
three of its precedents, he said -- Clement wrote to the court, "it
would be particularly unfortunate if that argument were not adequately
presented at oral argument."

Gura bristles at "the suggestion that I wouldn't be prepared to make
that argument." He added: "They're not bringing anything substantive
to the argument. The NRA is principally interested in taking credit
and fundraising." The NRA and Gura's group petitioned the court to
hear the review of the Chicago law, and the court picked Gura's
argument.

The NRA's fourth-quarter decision to bring in Clement adds another
interesting element to the case. He is a widely admired practitioner
and seems to be a favorite of the court. "I think the only reason they
granted the NRA's petition is because Paul Clement's name was on it,"
Shapiro said.

But Clement has not always been popular with gun owners. As solicitor
general during the Heller arguments, he took the position that the
lower court's reasoning in striking down the District's gun law was so
broad that it could threaten federal restrictions, such as on the sale
of machine guns. He advised the justices to send the case back.
Conservatives were outraged that was the official position of the Bush
administration, even though Clement also agreed that the Second
Amendment conveyed an individual right.

Bygones, the NRA's Arulanandam says now. As solicitor general, Clement
had to protect the government's interest. "We're pleased we have him
on our side," he said.


**************************************************
12. Baby killed, mom injured in Vegas ax attack
**************************************************

Marco Handy emailed me this:

--

Phil, Here is a good reason why good people should always be armed.


http://tinyurl.com/ydkh7dz

abclocal.go.com
Associated Press
February 12, 2010

LAS VEGAS, NV -- A man accused of killing a 4-month-old boy with a
medieval-style battle ax and critically injuring the child's mother in
a Las Vegas neighborhood told investigators he doesn't remember a
thing, police said Friday.

Harold E. Montague, 33, didn't know the woman or the boy he is accused
of hacking with the blade of the ax during the rampage a little before
noon Thursday on a residential street about a mile east of Las Vegas
Boulevard, police Lt. Lewis Roberts said.

Montague also is accused of stabbing his sister-in-law, a mentally
disabled woman, more than 20 times with a point of the ax before
bursting out of a home into the street.

"We don't know what set him off," Roberts said after Montague was
interviewed by homicide detectives and taken to the Clark County jail.
"He claims he blacked out. He said he doesn't remember anything,"
Roberts said.

The boy was found dead in the street, near where his stroller was
found overturned.

His mother was taken to Sunrise Hospital and Medical Center in very
critical condition with what Roberts said were disfiguring face and
head injuries.

Their names weren't immediately made public.

The sister-in-law, whose name and age also weren't released, was
reported to be in fair condition at University Medical Center in Las
Vegas.
Neighbors saw the attack and shouted at Montague to stop while calling
911, Roberts said.

Montague left the ax in the single-family home before police arrived,
and scuffled with officers who tried to use a Taser to subdue and
arrest him, said Officer Bill Cassell, a department spokesman. One
police officer received what Cassell said were minor injuries that did
not require medical treatment.

Montague was being held without bail on charges of murder, attempted
murder and attempted murder of a police officer pending a court
appearance Tuesday morning. Court officials said it was not
immediately clear if he had a lawyer.

Montague was described as the caregiver for his sister-in-law, who
Roberts said was stabbed repeatedly in torso, stomach and legs.

Roberts said Montague's wife was at work and two children were in the
house during the attack. Another child was at school. The children
weren't hurt.


**************************************************
13. BBC News - Knife amnesty on Anglesey after man died from stab
**************************************************

http://tinyurl.com/yajf84w

news.bbc.co.uk
February 5, 2010

A two-month knife amnesty has begun on Anglesey following the death of
a 21-year-old man from a knife wound.

The amnesty comes as a memorial walk was held for Leon Jones, a
mechanic, who died following an incident in Holyhead in November last
year.

Mr Jones's parents took part in the torch-lit march on Friday evening.

North Wales Police have set up amnesty bins at Holyhead, Llangefni,
Menai Bridge, Gaerwen and Valley police stations.

Before Friday's march, David Hughes, one of the organisers, said:
"We're hoping to educate the kids, to enlighten them that, it's not
big and it's not clever to carry knives, and to dump the knife and,
hopefully, save a life.

"They might do [want to carry a knife] for their own protection but
they are, by statistics, likely to be hurt by their own knife.

"Nothing will bring Leon back but, speaking to his dad, he feels that,
(by us) trying to get the message over, it may just stop one person
taking that knife out. Then it's done its job."

In 2009, North Wales Police recorded 13 incidents of knife crime on
Anglesey.

North Wales Police Inspector Nigel Harrison said: "Although knife-
crime is very low on Anglesey, we know there are public concerns, and
this campaign is primarily about addressing those concerns.

"After the tragic incident involving Mr Jones, we are anxious to
highlight the dangers of weapons, and want people to hand in any item
they have in their possession, or in their homes, which could cause
harm.

"We fully support the memorial walk being held tonight, and hope that
people take this opportunity to do the right thing and dispose of
their knives safely."

An inquest on at Llangefni in December was told Mr Jones died of a
stab wound to the chest which penetrated his heart and left lung.

A 29-year-old-man has been charged with Mr Jones's murder.


**************************************************
14. F&P Radio show stations and times
**************************************************

I was interviewed by F&P Radio for their show this weekend. Below are
the stations around VA and times where it can be heard.

Freedom & Prosperity Radio airs:

Blacksburg & the New River Valley
WFNR 710 AM
7:30 - 8:00am Saturdays
8:00 - 8:30am Sundays

Charlottesville (two stations)
WCHV 1260 AM and 94.1 FM
3:00 - 4:00pm Saturdays
(Full 1-hour show)

Harrisonburg
WKCY 1300 AM
8:30 - 9:00am Sundays

Lynchburg
WLNI 105.9 FM
7:00 - 8:00am
9:00 - 10:00pm Sundays
(Full 1-hour show!)

Martinsville
WMVA 1450AM
9:30 - 10:00am Wednesdays
3:30 - 4:00pm Sundays

Roanoke and Salem
WFIR 960 AM
8:00 - 8:30pm Sundays

Waynesboro, Staunton,and Lexington
WKCI 970 AM
8:30 - 9:00am Sundays


**************************************************
15. February 20-21 Gun Shows in Fredericksburg and VIrginia Beach
canceled
**************************************************

From SGK Gun Shows:

The Feb. 20-21 2010, show in Fredericksburg and/or Virginia Beach, Va.,
has been canceled.

Our next show is in Doswell Virginia Feb 27-28, 2010. This show will
feature an indoor laser tag arena and virtual indoor hunting.

Our next show in Virginia Beach, is April 17-18, 2010.
Our next show in Fredericksburg is May 22-23, 2010.


**************************************************
16. Discount for VCDL members at NOVA Armament
**************************************************

TJ Parmele of NOVA Armament emailed me this:

--

Philip,

For our first two weeks in operation, we've had tremendous support
from the VCDL membership. My partner and I were discussing this today
after we had closed down our register.

We would like to offer the VCDL membership a 5% discount whenever a
new gun is purchased starting March 1st 2010. I know it's not a lot,
but it's what we can afford to offer at this date.

All one has to do is show their current VCDL membership card and we
will give the discount at the register.

Thank you once again for your support. It means a lot to this little
startup gun shop.

v/r,

TJ Parmele

http://www.novaarmament.com/




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

[tursiops]

i wrote my VA State Delegate (David Englin, 45th District), and asked him to support SB 334, stating, "As a resident of Alexandria, I urge you to support SB 334, to allow concealed carry of legal weapons for those holding the permits, in restaurants serving alcohol, while not allowing the carrier to consume alcohol. . The current requirement to convert from concealed to open carry is silly, causes undue stress in both the carrier, the wait staff, and other customers, and serves no good purpose."

His response was, "Thanks for your message urging me to support legislation to allow concealed weapons in ABC licensed establishments. When I was in the military, I was rated a small arms expert on the M-9 handgun and I was proficient with an M-16, so I have no particular aversion to firearms. My concern about this legislation is that it is practically unenforceable, since, by definition, there is no way for a restaurant to know a person is carrying a concealed weapon. Therefore, it puts the restaurant in the untenable position of unwittingly breaking the law and risking its ABC license. While I appreciate your concern about not disturbing other customers by carrying your weapon in the open, I think the current law strikes the right balance between enforceability, Second Amendment rights, and the rights and responsibilities of restaurant owners."

I responded, "I very much appreciate your reply, and the thoughtful nature of it. My understanding is that SB 334 prohibits a person carrying concealed from consuming alcohol in an ABC restaurant, but that the prohibition is on the individual carrying, not on the restaurant serving. So it is not obvious to me that there are any problems for the restaurant should the individual consume alcohol. In any case, it is clear you have thought about and understand the issues, so I appreciate your attention to it and your vote."

His response was, "Thanks for the kind note."

is there something that puts the restaurant in jeopardy if they should serve alcohol to someone carrying concealed, or open, for that matter? That is, does he have a valid concern?

[zephyp]

Good deal tursiops. A point could also be made that DUI/DWI laws are

"practically unenforceable, since, by definition, there is no way for a restaurant to know a person is..." going to drive a vehicle "Therefore, it puts the restaurant in the untenable position of unwittingly breaking the law and risking its ABC license."

The proposed bill does not put the restaurant owner as the responsible party - same as DUI/DWI laws. It puts the citizen as the responsible party.

Wholeheartedly agree with your letter, but Mr Englin gave you a mealy mouthed response...

[VBshooter]

Strikes me that Mr Englin gave the usual PoliSpeak for I don;t care what you want, I am voting my way ,But thanks for the nice letter. Keep sending them till they hate to see your name and then send another and another .Also do anything you can to see them not get reelcted..... Vigilence and not accepting NO is the approach that I like to use.. Granted we won't win them all ,but we can certainly win some by fighting for them, One thing to watch out for is the little stuff that gets snuck in as a bill or an amendment that will shaft us more than help us. Example SB501,,,, Even though gun owners did come out in pretty good shape this election there is still the process of getting the right bills passed and the bad bills shot down.. I'm getting carpal tunnel from all the writing and stuff I have been doing since the election but will keep it up till Governor McDonnell either signs them or they come up for the override vote..I don;t want to see a repeat of last year when Kaine threw a couple of bones to us and we really didn;t get anywhere.

[OakRidgeStars]

We did do well in the House, but the Senate still holds a Democratic majority. All of the gun rights bills passed by the House must now start the process over in the Senate.

This is where the all the efforts on Lobby Day pay off. That and continuing to contact your Senator.