I've been pretty absent from the forum for a while except for popping into the Missouri forum here and there (the current economy requires far more effort and time from this small business owner) and saw this saga linked on VA Open Carry Facebook page (where I can at least follow the antics of my VA OCDO friends lurking though I may be). I have been catching up on the several threads and posts. I regret that I missed the original calls for assistance. Skidmark, Ed, Peter, Grapeshot, are among the OCDO long timers I interacted with regularly in the early days of the forum and to whom I owe a debt for education, wisdom, good counsel and good (internet) company.
I hope and pray that this day goes well for Skidmark. Working in a career that regularly involves legality and interaction with attorneys I have regularly heard, and have unfortunately learned, the adage that no matter how good your case, no matter how righteous your cause, no matter how innocent of fault, no matter how apparently sympathetic the judge, any trial is at best a 50/50 proposition, especially if a jury is involved. It appears that in this case User's legal acumen and the hard work and support of fellow forum members will skew that proposition in Skidmark's favor. At least that is my fervent hope.
I am heartened to see that the spirit of OCDO, the indignation at infringement of our constitutionally protected rights, and the willing support and defense of those joined in common cause has not abated, and may have even intensified, during my somewhat long absence. Thank you to all of you actively supporting Skidmark for reminding me of that common cause and reason through your words and actions and for re-sparking my enthusiasm to continue the fight rather than just quietly living the life.
God bless and good luck, Skidmark!