Here's my email exchange with the Fair board pres.
From: Marco
subject: fair rule # 25
To:
eslumadue@yahoo.com
Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011, 11:48 PM
Good afternoon members of the Greene County Fair Board,
As I was browsing the fair's website I read the Greene County Fair's general rules for entry and noticed that it appeared that the County Fair Board is either unaware that it may run afoul of Code of Virginia with regard to the carrying of firearms on county property, or it is blatantly disregarding the Code and hoping to get away with it. I hope that the situation is the prior and not the latter.
Specifically, the rules section makes this rule:
25. Firearms not allowed on fairgrounds, except for law enforcement officers.
Regarding your anti personal defense policy:
The Attorney General of Virginia has observed the foolishness of such policies, recently writing in an official opinion, "It certainly can be argued that such policies are ineffectual because persons who wish to perpetrate violence will ignore them, and that the net effect of such policies is to leave defenseless the law-abiding citizens who follow these policies."
Any attempt by the Greene County Fair Board or any county, city or other official to regulate the carrying of firearms on county owned property is specifically prohibited in the Code of Virginia Section 15.2-915 (
http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp...0+cod+15.2-915 ). Attempted enforcement of the Greene County Fair Rule on county property puts the Fair Board, law enforcement officials and any others involved at significant jeopardy of violating the rights of visitors and exposes the officials to both civil and criminal liability for attempting to enforce an invalid rule under color of law.
Please consider this as notice that a portion of Greene County Fair general entry rule #25 is likely in violation of the Code of Virginia if the fairgrounds are county property. I am sure that as responsible representatives of Greene County and its residents you will ensure that the county and its taxpayers are not exposed to criminal and civil penalties as a result of a county fair rule. Please let me know how the Greene County Fair Board will resolve this issue such that fair visitors are not unlawfully detained and such that the fair is not in violation of the Code of Virginia Section 15.2-915.
Thank you for your diligent attention in this matter,
Marco
Stanardsville, VA
borrowed/stolen from jmelvins email to madison co.
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Date: Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:05:35 -0700
From:
eslumadue@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: fair rule # 25
To: @hotmail.com
The fairgrounds are private property.
Ed
Life Is Good
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From: Marco
Subject: RE: fair rule # 25
To:
eslumadue@yahoo.com
Date: Sunday, July 31, 2011, 1:36 PM
Ed,
Thanks for your swift reply.
I hope the Greene Co. Fair board knows that these types of rules only effect the law abiding!
Criminals ignore laws/rules as rule of thump, hence the reason they are criminals.
I guess I'll have to find other family friendly entertainment for my family next week, at a venue that doesn't inhibit my families right to personal defense.
I'll be sure to pass along the boards policy to other rights minded folks.
Respectfully,
Marco
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Date: Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:55:04 -0700
From:
eslumadue@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: fair rule # 25
To: @hotmail.com
Marco,
Sorry that you won't be joining us.
Life Is Good
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From: Marco
To:
eslumadue@yahoo.com
Subject: RE: fair rule # 25
Date: Mon, 1 Aug 2011 10:29:31 -0700
Ed,
I hate that the Greene Co. Fair board won't lift the firearms ban, as it does nothing to promote safety, it's safety theater!
A ban on illegal activites and items would read better and allow those legally allowed to carry to do so without running afoul of a silly rule.
Criminals will still carry.
~Marco
Ps.
I will spend my money at venues that don't prohibit personal defense, the GCF doesn't fit that bill.
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Might have to see what it will take to get myself on to next yrs board.