VCDL ALWAYS promotes CHP holders as more worthy/trustworthy law abiding than the general public. While what they say is in large part true, one would wonder why they do that. It is part of their Perks for Permittees mantra. They work much harder to gain CHP priveledges than they do supporting basic rights.
VCDL, through the voice of president Philip Van Cleave, has said repeated, "We do not tell our members how to carry."
That politics within the GA and resulting compromises sometimes yield less than perfect results should not be cause for harsh criticism. We've all heard the remark "baby steps" and that does move the ball forward. It is not always reaching for the gold/most desirable, but it does when expedient avoid the all-or-nothing approach.........which generally gets you nothing.
Truth be known from my observations is that VCDL would be happiest to see Constitutional Carry the standard for Virginia.
The problem Tanner, is that the members are not VCDL. The members are only a weapon VCDL wields. I'm not anti VCDL but I realize some of the deficiencies. One is the Board. There are very good board members, very bad board members and one or two in the middle. The membership has no say on appointments, policy or direction.
VCDL began life as a CHP grass roots organization in NOVA. (I think Al Gore Jr. claims the honor of starting it) Many of the board members are CHP instructors. The majority of the membership is in NOVA.
So yeah, they lean heavily to the P4P side. I don't take it quite as far as Thundar although the recent hunter on your own position has caused me concern.
The other side of the coin is, THEY'RE STILL THE BEST THING GOING IN VIRGINIA RIGHT NOW.
Now before Philip's blood pressure goes up, let me put some perspective on it.
Philip will argue all day if he thinks he's right. He's always a gentleman about it, he tries to see both sides and he will bend.
Go talk to the honcho's of the other gun organizations in the state. The NRA just yawns. Another Grass roots group leader I won't mention by name....wants to start a fistfight over saying hello.
This is not directed at you Peter, but rather my thoughts, in response to your stimulus, for the benefit of others.
Every organization needs leadership, someone or a group taking point and making decisions. Those decisions will not always (ever?) be completely popular with 100% of the membership. VCDL leadership does hear and is effected by the thoughts of membership - the lines of communication are always open.
While VCDL did start as NVCDL (northern Va) by people in NoVa with the goal of improving the track to CHP's, both have evolved. We have 3 BoD members in central Va (Midlotian, inner Chesterfield & Prince George) and 1 in far western Va. That puts a majority outside of NoVa and provides a diversity of regional representation that was not present originally.
The general membership of VCDL is IMO much more than simply numbers to quote - though those numbers do represent a powerful voice. The members are the front line defenders/promoters who demonstrate to the public who and what we are and are the ones who step up and solve many problems. No one person nor even seven people (the BoD) can effectively handle alone those things requiring attention. So to whom does it fall? The membership! That is why VCDL is so strong - because you, you and
you step forward. VCDL is no ghost membership list of persons that "like" us - we are
grassroots activism personified.
While, as previously mentioned, VCDL does not recommend how one carries, actions do speak loudly - look at the hip of any BoD member when you see them in
any place legal to carry. Most frequently, what do you think you'll see there? Case closed on that issue.
BTW - I officially become a soccer [strike]mom[/strike] grand dad over the week-end. OCd at my 6 yo grandson's soccer game. Lots of people noticed - no one spoke out negatively. We spread the word by doing.
