Big support needed now: VCDL "castle doctrine" position now "strongly oppose" !!!

Big support needed now: VCDL "castle doctrine" position now "strongly oppose" !!!

We have two urgent action items on gun bills being heard TODAY, Wednesday, February 15th, in the Senate Courts of Justice Committee in the afternoon.

The first item is to OPPOSE the two House Castle Doctrine bills, HB 14 and HB 48. It is VCDL's opinion that these bills could cause more harm than good by inadvertently destroying some of Virginia's excellent common law protections. For that reason VCDL is shifting from NEUTRAL to STRONGLY OPPOSE, as we must stop these bills from moving forward NOW.

This is NOT something that VCDL is doing lightly. We have had internal debates ad nauseum between our lawyers over these bills. But after the dust settled we have decided that we cannot risk letting the current Castle Doctrine bills pass into law.

VCDL proposes instead to vet a more comprehensive bill over the summer for introduction next year. Way too much is at stake to goof up the excellent protections we already enjoy as Virginia citizens. In the end we might also determine from the vetting that it is best to leave Virginia's common law alone.

To send a message to your Senator to oppose HB 14 and HB 48, click on the link below (WE MUST ACT **NOW**):

***click-here hyperlink***

This is also posted in the action items sticky. Super important indeed. We do not want these bad bills. We can wait another year for Castle Doctrine.

Can say that I strongly support the shift to strongly oppose HB 14 and HB 48.

I'm debating whether or not it would be counterproductive for me to contact my Senator. We already know how Dick Saslaw is going to vote, and if I contact him about it now, when we put forward the bill next year, he can point back to this year and talk about how his constituents told him unambiguously to oppose the Castle Doctrine.

Is there another option for me to help out from here in Northern Virginia?

Agree. Bills are too narrow and confined, and dangerous to our current laws. Email sent as requested.

Action taken.

done!

Grapeshot said:

Can say that I strongly support the shift to strongly oppose HB 14 and HB 48.

Click to expand...

What took so long for VCDL to formally move those bills to the oppose column, Dale? On the eve of the Senate Justice Committee hearing no less!

The VCDL execs who've been willing to discuss the debate have voiced opposition for weeks.

And what's the counter-argument advocated by those execs on the other side of the fence? Since this is an all-volunteer organization funded by donations and membership dues, members should have some insight into the pros & cons of that debate. No names, just generalities.

grylnsmn said:

I'm debating whether or not it would be counterproductive for me to contact my Senator. We already know how Dick Saslaw is going to vote, and if I contact him about it now, when we put forward the bill next year, he can point back to this year and talk about how his constituents told him unambiguously to oppose the Castle Doctrine.

Is there another option for me to help out from here in Northern Virginia?

Click to expand...

How about stating that you are asking him to oppose this particular bill because of these [enumerate them] particular concerns? I'm stuck with the same problem here with Henry Marsh. But I hammer away at him regularly anyhow. Sure, Saslaw will say that folks asked him to oppose Castle Doctrine. Then you can start a contest with him about the reason(s) he was asked to oppose the bill.

Even this late in the day it's satisfying to see VCDL admitting that getting even a bad bill and then trying to fix it is NOT the way to advance the cause.

stay safe.

Done!
We were discussing this last night.

Sent mine as soon as I got the VCDL email this morning.

FWIW, the VCDL canned email does give as the reason that these are bills likely to do harm rather than codify common law. glad to see that they picked a side and hope it's not too late.

Felix said:

What took so long for VCDL to formally move those bills to the oppose column, Dale? On the eve of the Senate Justice Committee hearing no less!

The VCDL execs who've been willing to discuss the debate have voiced opposition for weeks.

And what's the counter-argument advocated by those execs on the other side of the fence? Since this is an all-volunteer organization funded by donations and membership dues, members should have some insight into the pros & cons of that debate. No names, just generalities.

Click to expand...

Think that there was confidence that the bills could be consolidated and fixed. There were a LOT of behind the scenes meetings and correspondence with our elected representatives - when it became obvious that wasn't effective enough, the shift in position was the only option left.

We do not need Castle Doctrine reduced to black letter law. Many however want this accomplished and I both understand and agree. Those members of VCDL that may have supported these bills on the surface probably did not see all of the ramifications at first blush.

The GA advocates/patrons really thought that they were doing a good thing. It's just such a complicated issue in Virginia to codify and retain all of the strengths and protections we now enjoy in a single statute w/o losing some of them along the way.

Many thanks to the LAC (Legal Action Committe) for their hard work, blood sweat and tears in digging so deeply into this issue and sharing their insight/expertise. BTW - their work started on this long before these bills were ever offered and continues today. A fully vented bill recommendation in 2013 makes the most sense - so there it is.

Sent both items to Stosch.

Sent to Loupassi and Watkins

Done. I'm glad to see the change of support from the organization leaders at VCDL.

Hit, we really need these to get dumped. Lets do castle doctrine RIGHT, and these bills are VERY WRONG.

I had already sent my Senator an email asking them to oppose SB 4 (they voted for it anyway), but I sent the followup asking them to oppose these bills now. Hopefully the message will get through.

Sent the canned e-mail to both me Delegate and Senator this morning then followed up with a phone call at lunch time. Its always nice when their Aides recognize your name and can remember conversations that they have had with you.

No need...

I had already discussed the subject with my Senator earlier when I decided VCDL had this one all cocked up (by being neutral) and wasn't representing my best interests. Glad to see some common sense finally prevailed. But I've got the same question as Felix--What the heck took so long? VCDL is operating like a rudderless ship where CD is concerned! Phil, are you listening to what the membership is saying? Because if you are, this decision could have been made some time ago.

And I'm not buying Grape's explanation. Haven't we seen too many cases of last minute, un-vetted (even on the floor) bill changes which go horribly wrong with unintended consequences? To think the bills could be made right on the fly just defies logic and past history.

Sent