Carpetbagger
Campaign Veteran
imported post
Dear Mr. _________,
Thank you for contacting me and making me aware of your desire to support SB1035, which eliminates the ban on concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol. I have consistently voted against repealing this law in the past, and I am inclined to vote against it in 2009. Though I understand your desire to carry your concealed weapon with you for personal protection, I just cannot reconcile my strong belief about not mixing guns and alcohol with that position. Never the less I will listen intently on the debate on the floor before casting my vote.
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My response to him:
Dear Del. Hargrove,
Thank you for the response. I would like to make several points that I hope show that your concerns are unfounded.
First, and perhaps most importantly, concealed handgun permit (CHP) holders are among the most law-abiding citizens. Nationwide, only a tiny fraction of such permits are revoked for cause. In some states, CHP holders are statistically more law-abiding than police officers!
Second, Virginians already can legally carry guns into establishments that serve alcohol. They must, however, openly carry their gun. You might be surprised to learn than many people in Virginia, even in the greater Richmond area, open carry guns into restaurants that serve alcohol every day. I am not aware of any problems that have been caused in Virginia by law-abiding citizens openly carrying guns into restaurants (and we both know that any such incident would be very widely reported in the media). The lack of such problems clearly shows that CHP holders can be trusted to carry guns concealed into restaurants that serve alcohol.
Third, law-abiding citizens should not have to give up our self-defense rights to enjoy a night out. While there may be a low likelihood of needing a gun in the restaurant, such incidents do happen. See http://www.nranews.com/blogarticle.aspx?blogPostId=404). Of course, the most dangerous part of the night out is the walk from the restaurant to the car.
I hope that you will reconsider your opposition to SB1035.
Sincerely,
Dear Mr. _________,
Thank you for contacting me and making me aware of your desire to support SB1035, which eliminates the ban on concealed weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol. I have consistently voted against repealing this law in the past, and I am inclined to vote against it in 2009. Though I understand your desire to carry your concealed weapon with you for personal protection, I just cannot reconcile my strong belief about not mixing guns and alcohol with that position. Never the less I will listen intently on the debate on the floor before casting my vote.
****************************
My response to him:
Dear Del. Hargrove,
Thank you for the response. I would like to make several points that I hope show that your concerns are unfounded.
First, and perhaps most importantly, concealed handgun permit (CHP) holders are among the most law-abiding citizens. Nationwide, only a tiny fraction of such permits are revoked for cause. In some states, CHP holders are statistically more law-abiding than police officers!
Second, Virginians already can legally carry guns into establishments that serve alcohol. They must, however, openly carry their gun. You might be surprised to learn than many people in Virginia, even in the greater Richmond area, open carry guns into restaurants that serve alcohol every day. I am not aware of any problems that have been caused in Virginia by law-abiding citizens openly carrying guns into restaurants (and we both know that any such incident would be very widely reported in the media). The lack of such problems clearly shows that CHP holders can be trusted to carry guns concealed into restaurants that serve alcohol.
Third, law-abiding citizens should not have to give up our self-defense rights to enjoy a night out. While there may be a low likelihood of needing a gun in the restaurant, such incidents do happen. See http://www.nranews.com/blogarticle.aspx?blogPostId=404). Of course, the most dangerous part of the night out is the walk from the restaurant to the car.
I hope that you will reconsider your opposition to SB1035.
Sincerely,