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[url]http://www.wtvr.com/global/story.asp?s=9698009[/url]
Video:http://www.wtvr.com/Global/category.asp?C=4672&nav=menu79 -
Video at http://www.wtvr.com/Global/category.asp?C=4672&nav=menu79 - scroll on video bar to right to find video labeled "Gun Right Advocates."
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Guns on Hand at State Capitol
The mission was simple Monday for dozens of members of the Virginia Citizens' Defense League, (a group that supports 2nd amendment rights),slap on an orange sticker, grab an agenda, and find your local legislator.
"We have teams that are going to break up and they're going to visit every single legislator thatis in the building today," remarked Mark Stollenwerk, a VCDL organizer.
Impassioned group members roamed the hallways of the General Assembly building, showcasing their support for legislation that would allow concealed handgun permit holders to carry in restaurants and on school grounds.
The gun rights advocates, many of whom drove for hours to lobby lawmakers, hope their very presence will speak volumes.
"People come out and say whether they're for or against something, and it means something," noted VCDL member Marco Handy. "Anybody can sit home and not show up. But you want (lawmakers) to know that you really support this or oppose it."
So, how influential can a capitol visit be?
"Obviously the live visit shows a certain level of commitment," remarked House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith. "If you're making a three-hour drive down here, and then a three-hour drive back home, obviously you care very passionately about the issue."
On issue that did not gain much attention was the so-calledgun show loophole, which Delegate Griffith described as "dead" after the State Crime Commission failed to endorse the measure.
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See also [url]http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/37850174.html[/url]- video is at scroll to "Gun Rally"
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1. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/01/hundreds-richmond-rally-back-progun-bills
Hundreds at Richmond rally to back pro-gun bills
By Dave Forster
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 20, 2009
RICHMOND
About 300 people rallied Monday at the Virginia Capitol to support the many pro-gun-rights bills that have been introduced this session.
Concern over those rights is especially high this year after the election of Barack Obama, perceived by some as a gun control proponent, said rally participant Sam Beatty, 30, a Marine veteran from Henrico County.
"The last several gun shows that I've been to, I've seen them just more packed than I've ever seen them in the past 10 years - people buying just cases upon cases of ammunition, firearms," Beatty said.
The Virginia Citizens Defense League has highlighted as priorities this year legislation that would allow people with concealed handgun permits to carry their concealed firearms into restaurants that serve alcohol, HB1821, and schools, HB1822.
Another bill, HB1655, would require a court to award attorney fees and costs to anyone who wins a case challenging a local gun control measure.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
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2. http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/37850174.html- video is at scroll to "Gun Rally"
Gun Rights Advocats Lobby in Richmond
Posted: 8:55 PM Jan 19, 2009Last Updated: 8:55 PM Jan 19, 2009
The 2009 Martin Luther King federal holiday was a day of challenges for police and security personnel at the state capitol building Monday (1/19).
Gun rights advocates put on a show of force to send a message to lawmakers. Members of the Virginia Citizen's Defense League spoke about a new measure and one already on the books that they see as anti-gun. The pro-second amendment group gathered from all across the Commonwealth to get face-to-face time with legislators.
"People come out and say whether they're for or against something , and it means something," says CDL member Marco Handy. "Anybody can sit home and not show up. But you want (lawmakers) to know that you really support this or oppose it. And that should tell our delegates and our Senators that we feel strongly about this. "
The CDL supports a change in law that would allow licensed gun holders to carry concealed weapons into restaurants and onto school grounds.
3. Pre-Lobby day news reports:
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/37803614.html(with video).
http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/RBRF19_20090118-215417/181909
[url]http://www.wtvr.com/global/story.asp?s=9698009[/url]
Video:http://www.wtvr.com/Global/category.asp?C=4672&nav=menu79 -
Video at http://www.wtvr.com/Global/category.asp?C=4672&nav=menu79 - scroll on video bar to right to find video labeled "Gun Right Advocates."
--
Guns on Hand at State Capitol
The mission was simple Monday for dozens of members of the Virginia Citizens' Defense League, (a group that supports 2nd amendment rights),slap on an orange sticker, grab an agenda, and find your local legislator.
"We have teams that are going to break up and they're going to visit every single legislator thatis in the building today," remarked Mark Stollenwerk, a VCDL organizer.
Impassioned group members roamed the hallways of the General Assembly building, showcasing their support for legislation that would allow concealed handgun permit holders to carry in restaurants and on school grounds.
The gun rights advocates, many of whom drove for hours to lobby lawmakers, hope their very presence will speak volumes.
"People come out and say whether they're for or against something, and it means something," noted VCDL member Marco Handy. "Anybody can sit home and not show up. But you want (lawmakers) to know that you really support this or oppose it."
So, how influential can a capitol visit be?
"Obviously the live visit shows a certain level of commitment," remarked House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith. "If you're making a three-hour drive down here, and then a three-hour drive back home, obviously you care very passionately about the issue."
On issue that did not gain much attention was the so-calledgun show loophole, which Delegate Griffith described as "dead" after the State Crime Commission failed to endorse the measure.
--
See also [url]http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/37850174.html[/url]- video is at scroll to "Gun Rally"
--
1. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/01/hundreds-richmond-rally-back-progun-bills
Hundreds at Richmond rally to back pro-gun bills
By Dave Forster
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 20, 2009
RICHMOND
About 300 people rallied Monday at the Virginia Capitol to support the many pro-gun-rights bills that have been introduced this session.
Concern over those rights is especially high this year after the election of Barack Obama, perceived by some as a gun control proponent, said rally participant Sam Beatty, 30, a Marine veteran from Henrico County.
"The last several gun shows that I've been to, I've seen them just more packed than I've ever seen them in the past 10 years - people buying just cases upon cases of ammunition, firearms," Beatty said.
The Virginia Citizens Defense League has highlighted as priorities this year legislation that would allow people with concealed handgun permits to carry their concealed firearms into restaurants that serve alcohol, HB1821, and schools, HB1822.
Another bill, HB1655, would require a court to award attorney fees and costs to anyone who wins a case challenging a local gun control measure.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563, dave.forster@pilotonline.com
--
2. http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/37850174.html- video is at scroll to "Gun Rally"
Gun Rights Advocats Lobby in Richmond
Posted: 8:55 PM Jan 19, 2009Last Updated: 8:55 PM Jan 19, 2009
The 2009 Martin Luther King federal holiday was a day of challenges for police and security personnel at the state capitol building Monday (1/19).
Gun rights advocates put on a show of force to send a message to lawmakers. Members of the Virginia Citizen's Defense League spoke about a new measure and one already on the books that they see as anti-gun. The pro-second amendment group gathered from all across the Commonwealth to get face-to-face time with legislators.
"People come out and say whether they're for or against something , and it means something," says CDL member Marco Handy. "Anybody can sit home and not show up. But you want (lawmakers) to know that you really support this or oppose it. And that should tell our delegates and our Senators that we feel strongly about this. "
The CDL supports a change in law that would allow licensed gun holders to carry concealed weapons into restaurants and onto school grounds.
3. Pre-Lobby day news reports:
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/37803614.html(with video).
http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/article/RBRF19_20090118-215417/181909