Doug Huffman
Banned
imported post
http://www.dailypress.com/news/opinion/dp-ed_gunsfestivals_edit_0810aug10,0,6748241.story wrote:
http://www.dailypress.com/news/opinion/dp-ed_gunsfestivals_edit_0810aug10,0,6748241.story wrote:
Submit Letters The Daily Press welcomes Letters to the Editor on issues of public interest. Keep your letter short and include your address and telephone number.http://www.dailypress.com/news/opinion/dp-public-letters2,0,1914532.customformThe products of the misbegotten alliance between the state legislature and the Wild West wing of gun-rights advocacy are popping up in Hampton Roads. Where will the next sighting be?
Chet Szymecki, who in 2005 went out of his way to wear his gun to a York County School Board meeting, did the same at Norfolk's Harborfest in June. That attracted the attention of police — and, undoubtedly, some of the children and adults who flock to such events. Police charged him, because Norfolk had banned guns at the outdoor festival.
But it can't. The General Assembly made sure of that, with a law that bars localities from putting limits on the carrying of firearms — or on possession, ownership, sale, transportation or storage of guns.
Norfolk recanted and admitted its error. Still, a gun-rights group has warned the Norfolk City Council "Here we come," guns on hips, to protest its attempt to disarm festival-goers.
In Virginia, any adult who isn't in a restricted category (like a felon) can carry a gun, loaded or unloaded, out in the open pretty much everywhere. Private property owners can ban guns on their premises, but cities and counties can't. Hampton wanted a gun ban at Bay Days, but realized in 2005 that the state had made it powerless.
No, no and no. No restrictions on guns in local government buildings. No restrictions on guns in parks. No restrictions on guns at festivals. No bans on guns in school parking lots, so long as they're unloaded and in trunks or gun racks.
Never mind that a locality knows its populace and risks better than legislators who are doing the bidding of gun-rights activists who will brook no compromise. The General Assembly makes sure that the rights of gun owners trump the security needs of other citizens.
So an occasion like a community festival that's really suited to funnel cakes and Tilt-a-wheels and fun for the kids also has to allow guns.
Gun-rights advocates offer a two- pronged argument for why people need to take guns practically everywhere. One, because they can (claiming that the Second Amendment says so). Two, because they never know when they might need to defend themselves or their families.
No doubt, that makes them feel better, but the prospect of more guns on hand would surely make plenty of families feel less safe, even to the point of staying away. Police often miss their targets; imagine what might happen with untrained civilians surrounded by innocent bystanders.
As the summer and fall festival season approaches, let's hope the gun- toters stay away — or, better yet, come have fun, but leave their weapons at home.
Either we are equal or we are not. Good people ought to be armed where they will, with wits and guns and the truth. NRA KMA$$