Who is going to the Falls Church City Council Meeting Monday 10/26 @7:30PM?

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I attended this meeting and it was nice to see that we packed the house. There was standing room only left due primarily to our attendance. Everyone who spoke for us spoke VERY well and had a lot of GREAT stuff to say. I was very impressed. I was not too impressed with the antis. They lacked any real substance. Many of them didn't have much of anything to say but a simple thanks to the Mayor for supporting Bloomberg. We definitely won that meeting. The only problem would be the not so interested council. It seemed to be in one ear and out the other...

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richarcm wrote:

I attended this meeting and it was nice to see that we packed the house. There was standing room only left due primarily to our attendance. Everyone who spoke for us spoke VERY well and had a lot of GREAT stuff to say. I was very impressed. I was not too impressed with the antis. They lacked any real substance. Many of them didn't have much of anything to say but a simple thanks to the Mayor for supporting Bloomberg. We definitely won that meeting. The only problem would be the not so interested council. It seemed to be in one ear and out the other...

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Can you give an example of what the antis said that caused you to reach your conclusion?

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[flash=320,256]http://www.youtube.com/v/XKFx50asrww&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]

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HankT wrote:

Can you give an example of what the antis said that caused you to reach your conclusion?

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One said 24 killings happened last year by holders of CHP's (In response to an earlier comment about how law abiding CHP holders were). But the anti's did noty mention that was 24 out of 6 million or that some of those 24 were justifiable homicide

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HankT wrote:

richarcm wrote:

I attended this meeting and it was nice to see that we packed the house. There was standing room only left due primarily to our attendance. Everyone who spoke for us spoke VERY well and had a lot of GREAT stuff to say. I was very impressed. I was not too impressed with the antis. They lacked any real substance. Many of them didn't have much of anything to say but a simple thanks to the Mayor for supporting Bloomberg. We definitely won that meeting. The only problem would be the not so interested council. It seemed to be in one ear and out the other...

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Can you give an example of what the antis said that caused you to reach your conclusion?

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One of them claimed that the gun show loophole lead to the 4/16 Viginia Tech tragedy.

Another gave some figure about the number of "killings" by permit holders but of course even if his number is good that is a ridiculously small percent of permit holders and it the fact that some one was killed does not make tell you if it was in self defense or not.

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Halfway through the meeting, one of "them" had a little girl with her, and came up to me and said "I know we don't have the same sticker, but may I sit here?"

Of course I said "Sure." Guess guns aren't as scary as sore feet, huh?

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I especially appreciated the late speaker who pointed out that the anti-gunners were nowhere to be seen at the VA Tech mental health hearings.

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http://www.fcnp.com/news/5168-gun-issue-packs-city-of-falls-church-council-chambers.html

By Nicholas F. Benton Monday, 26 October 2009 21:47 More than 50 persons wearing bright orange stickers reading "Guns Save Lives" packed the chambers of the Falls Church City Council Monday night to protest Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner's membership in the Mayors Against Illegal Guns association founded by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
While none of the protesters stated they were residents of Falls Church, but visiting from Loudoun County and other outlying jurisdictions, a dozen other citizens, all Falls Church City residents, countered the protest by speaking out in favor of the mayor's decision. Those opposing the Mayors Against Illegal Guns were led by Philip Van Cleve, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League from Newington, Virginia who accused the Mayors of a "hidden agenda of propagating law suits and propaganda against the gun industry."
Those Falls Church City residents supporting Mayor Gardner's decision to align with the Mayors group were led by Hannah Jordan, who a 15-year City resident who said, "More than two years ago, 32 members of the Falls Church community, myself included, participated in a lie-in organizede by ProtestEasyGuns in front of our community center...in solidarity with the victims of the Virginia Tech Massacre." She noted 450 mayors across the U.S. "support sensible gun laws" that "have one goal in common: reducing criminal access to guns."

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Citizen wrote:

I especially appreciated the late speaker who pointed out that the anti-gunners were nowhere to be seen at the VA Tech mental health hearings.

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I think I know that guy. I'll pass the kind words.

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ed wrote:

http://www.fcnp.com/news/5168-gun-issue-packs-city-of-falls-church-council-chambers.html

By Nicholas F. Benton Monday, 26 October 2009 21:47 More than 50 persons wearing bright orange stickers reading "Guns Save Lives" packed the chambers of the Falls Church City Council Monday night to protest Falls Church Mayor Robin Gardner's membership in the Mayors Against Illegal Guns association founded by New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
While none of the protesters stated they were residents of Falls Church, but visiting from Loudoun County and other outlying jurisdictions, a dozen other citizens, all Falls Church City residents, countered the protest by speaking out in favor of the mayor's decision. Those opposing the Mayors Against Illegal Guns were led by Philip Van Cleve, president of the Virginia Citizens Defense League from Newington, Virginia who accused the Mayors of a "hidden agenda of propagating law suits and propaganda against the gun industry."
Those Falls Church City residents supporting Mayor Gardner's decision to align with the Mayors group were led by Hannah Jordan, who a 15-year City resident who said, "More than two years ago, 32 members of the Falls Church community, myself included, participated in a lie-in organizede by ProtestEasyGuns in front of our community center...in solidarity with the victims of the Virginia Tech Massacre." She noted 450 mayors across the U.S. "support sensible gun laws" that "have one goal in common: reducing criminal access to guns."

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CommentsDate Rating Last Activity
--> Bill
Well I hate to bust someones bubble but there were people from the pro gun side who did say they lived in Falls Church. I know it might have been difficult to keep up with the overwelming minority of orange sticker type people but try and keep up. ed 0 They all bring up Virginia Tech and the so called gun show loophole. First.. I wish some other student had a gun at VA Tech and stopped CHO dead in his tracks.. Second.. there is no loophole.. If I sell a gun in my driveway is it a driveway loophole? What If I sell a shovel or a tire iron or a baseball bat? Thugs hit people with baseball bats? Maybe anytime we sell a saw or a big screwdriver or a kitchen knife we should have a background check (but only for the law abiding citizens).
Ian
Mr. Vann who spoke directly after Mr. Van Cleave was from Falls Church as were about 4 others. Were you paying attention Mr. Benton? If not may I suggest you watch the meeting on the Falls Church website so you can get your story straight?

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http://fallschurch-va.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=29

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[flash=320,256]http://www.youtube.com/v/DDTI_H1pNeE&hl=en&fs=1[/flash]

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HankT wrote:

richarcm wrote:

I attended this meeting and it was nice to see that we packed the house. There was standing room only left due primarily to our attendance. Everyone who spoke for us spoke VERY well and had a lot of GREAT stuff to say. I was very impressed. I was not too impressed with the antis. They lacked any real substance. Many of them didn't have much of anything to say but a simple thanks to the Mayor for supporting Bloomberg. We definitely won that meeting. The only problem would be the not so interested council. It seemed to be in one ear and out the other...

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Can you give an example of what the antis said that caused you to reach your conclusion?

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Most went up there and said something to the effect of......Hi, my name is blah blah blah, i'm from blah blah blah and I'm thankful for the mayor's membership in this program because I am against illegal guns.

Most of them fit that template with perhaps a bit more verbage to fluff it up.

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ed wrote: Ed you rocked them. Good job.

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Well, that was an experience. We had our say, interspersed with "Protest Easy Guns" and others who choose to dance in the blood of the Va Tech and other school shootings.

The Vice Mayor was clear in telling the VCDL supporters who attended that the City Councilhad no intention of changing their minds or position.

Tomorrow morning I'm forwarding audio of the meeting through the comment period regarding MAIG to VCDL President Phil Van Cleve. Hopefully he will announce where you can listen in.

Another big Thank You to all who came out to support the pro-gun position and register - by words or presence - your disapproval of the aims of MAIG.

stay safe.

skidmark

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IMHO - the show tonight was not about changing the opinion/attitude of a misdirected politician. It was all about getting our message out to the citizens of Falls Church and in the days ahead to other such communities.

Misinformation needs to be countered with the truth - a specialty of VCDL.

Ed politely informed city council too that they had a law on the books that violated state preemption regarding open carry - good job Ed.

Yata hey

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Yeah not much was accomplished in the short term. But we made our presence known, our depth of knowledge on the subject understood and we made them aware that we were paying attention to what they were doing and we are able to quickly organize to make their political careers difficult if need be.

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richarcm wrote:

Ed you rocked them. Good job.

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Megga diddos! Your truck rocked too!

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One more from me:

"a dozen other citizens, ALL FALLS CHURCH CITY RESIDENTS, countered the protest by speaking out in favor of the mayor's decision"

Here's another untrue statement. I'm starting to see that Mr. Benton had an agenda and wrote the story to fit it. I can name TWO that were NOT from Falls church right off the bat: Jim Sollo is from Springfield and Abbey Spangler lives in Old Town Alexandria. Mr. Benton, shame on you for inventing statistics and not doing basic reporting. Shame on you for being lazy and writing a story with made up facts. Shame on you for injecting your bias into a news story and not presenting the reader with the truth.

Unlike YOU I did count the counter protestors, there were TEN. Of those TEN I know for a fact that TWO of them are not from FALLS CHURCH.

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skidmark wrote:

On the Norfolk city council meeting thread a poster asked why I considered the VPSC "call to --- ...."* to be disturbing. I responded as follows:

HankT wrote:

skidmark wrote:

Ed has posted some disturbing info at the thread about the Falls Church city council meeting.

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Interesting....but why is it "disturbing info," skidmark?

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Because it suggests that The Virginia Public Safety Center is going to attempt to get their folks to attend the city council meeting for no other purpose than filling the room to the Fire Code capacity so that VCDL members will not get a seat.

We had a taste of that tactic a few years ago at some General Assembly hearings where the Va Tech folks were "escorted" into the hearing room before the doors officially opened, leaving only a few seats and standing room for the rest of the citizenry who wished to either testify or observe the proceedings.

Those who do not learn from history are doomed to standing around watching those who did learn sit in the front seats.

stay safe.

skidmark

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* As for the VPSC call to --- ...." above, it certainly cannot be a call to ARMS as they are opposed to an armed citizenry. It cannot be a call to ACTION as they are reacting to VCDL's announced plan. Then what could it be?

Wait! I know:exclaim: It's whining. Now, the only question remaining is: will there be cheese and crackers served?

stay safe.

skidmark

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Doesn't look there was much reason to be "disturbed," skidmark.

Whew. It wasa close one.





nakedshoplifter wrote:

One more from me:

"a dozen other citizens, ALL FALLS CHURCH CITY RESIDENTS, countered the protest by speaking out in favor of the mayor's decision"

Here's another untrue statement. I'm starting to see that Mr. Benton had an agenda and wrote the story to fit it. I can name TWO that were NOT from Falls church right off the bat: Jim Sollo is from Springfield and Abbey Spangler lives in Old Town Alexandria. Mr. Benton, shame on you for inventing statistics and not doing basic reporting. Shame on you for being lazy and writing a story with made up facts. Shame on you for injecting your bias into a news story and not presenting the reader with the truth.

Unlike YOU I did count the counter protestors, there were TEN. Of those TEN I know for a fact that TWO of them are not from FALLS CHURCH.

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