I posted this in the NOVA thread, and Citizen suggested it might be worthy of a new post, so this is a copy. Interested in others' opinions.
Tess
Ok, let me list my mistakes up front:
- Failed to carry my voice recorder, though in my defense I've OC'd there several times before
- Phrased my response badly -- I did not ask "Are you aware this policy, and you, violate state preemption laws through your policy and current request?"
So point out more.
I was at the Workhouse Arts Center tonight for a Fairfax County-sponsored concert and fireworks display. I set up my chair and went to the shaved ice truck for snacks. As I was eating, I noticed staff in vests were wandering through the crowd as if looking for something; I maintained my awareness of them but did nothing. When I was seated, the sidearm was not visible.
After I finished my snack, I took the cups to the trash and saw a friend. I spoke with her for a couple of minutes and invited her to join us. As we walked to our chairs, I told her (half seriously) security was looking for me. When she asked why, I said because I have a gun on my hip. We hadn't been seated more than a few minutes when Mr. Ned Hogan, Director of Development and self-identified "Manager of the Day" informed me the campus is a weapons-free zone and that I'd have to put my sidearm in my car. (Let's not even go in to the logic of firearms, in his mind, being allowed in a car, onthe campus of his weapons-free zone. And we know that it's county property; of course I can have it in my car.)
I informed Mr. Hogan that the site, as a county property, was covered by preemption and he informed me the policy, which "has been vetted at all levels in the state" was no firearms. (Discretion being the better part of valor, I did not succumb to the temptation to ask him to take the microphone and ask everyone who was carrying a "weapon" to leave.) I told him then that I would leave, but that he will see a formal complaint. I did not ask to see a copy of the policy, but will request one formally on Monday.
I was not prepared to face arrest and a trespassing charge - even if I'm pretty sure it would be dropped - today. There was a significant police presence outside the venue (NB: as we were leaving, one police officer with a vest was entering the courtyard).
So here's my plan:
- Formal request to John Mason, CEO of the Workhouse Arts Center, for the cited policy, including the names of any and all officials up to state level who have approved it.
- FOIA for any police calls from 7-8 PM requesting assistance at the Workhouse Arts Center.
- Request for a formal apology for causing my son to miss the concert and fireworks unnecessarily.
I also plan to publicize this through my blog, my mtvernon.patch.com blog, my facebook page, and possibly a letter to the editors of the local papers (not the Washington Post, unless I get the policy and apology.
I'm open to other ideas, and to criticism of my action. I know I could have refused and faced the charge; I could have returned the firearm to the vehicle; I could have returned to the vehicle, concealed the firearm, and returned (I suspect he'd have requested I be searched, and would have to refuse, which would lead to larger legal issues).
All I had with me were the old VCDL cards that expired last week; I did leave one of those with him - along with my thanks for ruining our evening - but wished I'd gone to the gun show today to pick up some new ones.
Tess
Ok, let me list my mistakes up front:
- Failed to carry my voice recorder, though in my defense I've OC'd there several times before
- Phrased my response badly -- I did not ask "Are you aware this policy, and you, violate state preemption laws through your policy and current request?"
So point out more.
I was at the Workhouse Arts Center tonight for a Fairfax County-sponsored concert and fireworks display. I set up my chair and went to the shaved ice truck for snacks. As I was eating, I noticed staff in vests were wandering through the crowd as if looking for something; I maintained my awareness of them but did nothing. When I was seated, the sidearm was not visible.
After I finished my snack, I took the cups to the trash and saw a friend. I spoke with her for a couple of minutes and invited her to join us. As we walked to our chairs, I told her (half seriously) security was looking for me. When she asked why, I said because I have a gun on my hip. We hadn't been seated more than a few minutes when Mr. Ned Hogan, Director of Development and self-identified "Manager of the Day" informed me the campus is a weapons-free zone and that I'd have to put my sidearm in my car. (Let's not even go in to the logic of firearms, in his mind, being allowed in a car, onthe campus of his weapons-free zone. And we know that it's county property; of course I can have it in my car.)
I informed Mr. Hogan that the site, as a county property, was covered by preemption and he informed me the policy, which "has been vetted at all levels in the state" was no firearms. (Discretion being the better part of valor, I did not succumb to the temptation to ask him to take the microphone and ask everyone who was carrying a "weapon" to leave.) I told him then that I would leave, but that he will see a formal complaint. I did not ask to see a copy of the policy, but will request one formally on Monday.
I was not prepared to face arrest and a trespassing charge - even if I'm pretty sure it would be dropped - today. There was a significant police presence outside the venue (NB: as we were leaving, one police officer with a vest was entering the courtyard).
So here's my plan:
- Formal request to John Mason, CEO of the Workhouse Arts Center, for the cited policy, including the names of any and all officials up to state level who have approved it.
- FOIA for any police calls from 7-8 PM requesting assistance at the Workhouse Arts Center.
- Request for a formal apology for causing my son to miss the concert and fireworks unnecessarily.
I also plan to publicize this through my blog, my mtvernon.patch.com blog, my facebook page, and possibly a letter to the editors of the local papers (not the Washington Post, unless I get the policy and apology.
I'm open to other ideas, and to criticism of my action. I know I could have refused and faced the charge; I could have returned the firearm to the vehicle; I could have returned to the vehicle, concealed the firearm, and returned (I suspect he'd have requested I be searched, and would have to refuse, which would lead to larger legal issues).
All I had with me were the old VCDL cards that expired last week; I did leave one of those with him - along with my thanks for ruining our evening - but wished I'd gone to the gun show today to pick up some new ones.