I just wanted to post my response to the editor.
I have to say I was very disappointed to read your article and the number of inaccuracies I found being spread around giving your readers the wrong information.
I will go through the article and point out some problems with your article.
Before the new gun law was in effect.
1. We could already open carry in restaurants in Virginia in fact you can even have a beer while dining. We have no bars in Virginia just to point that out.
2. I think I already explained the bar item enough but to further explain it you could be out socializing with coworkers friends or family and the location was not your choice.
3. Why would anyone plan to dine where they thought there might be trouble you could reference statement 2 or you could be aware you do have to get from the event location to another location, stop for gas, have your car break down, be jumped in the location’s parking lot. Just review the number of attacks that happen outside of the victims home and you could see why someone would want to have some form of self defense.
4. Usually gun owners don’t brag how many they have unless they are talking to other gun owners who share the same passion and interests however to someone who is not in this culture it may seem like bragging. I can see the sarcasm dripping in the gun owners statement “ I haven’t taken a inventory lately.” Possibly he didn’t want it reported that he only has one weapon in a publicly circulated article or maybe he has 100 it doesn’t matter the point is it is obviously sarcasm.
5. Virginia has NO LAW about open carry you don’t need a permit to carry a gun in the open this lack of a law is what specifically allows any law abiding citizen to open carry. You make the statement about a person carrying a gun in the open causing alarm I think you would be surprised at the lack of response you get when you have a weapon in your holster. I have been everywhere from the gas station , to the bank, to Wal-Mart without a second glance. You might wish to investigate before making broad statements like you did.
6. I am sure many people felt safe and felt no need for anything for self defense the homicide department at your local police department can verify this statement. You also fail to account for the ability to stop someone from harming you by being in a position to fight back. Children with guns this is a favorite of mine. Children are not legally able to buy weapons. This means that they either disobeyed the rules at home ( parenting issue) or the parents did not secure the weapons they own ( again a responsibility issue). Children in homes with weapons should be taught at a early age about weapon safety and the destructive power of weapons. (again a parenting issue)
7. You are fixated on this if it requires protection avoid the place. It’s not about could they avoid one place or another, its not even about the danger of one particular location life is a series of locations one after another. While a criminal may not be hiding in the parking garage of the location you happen to be at with the person carrying a weapon they may be outside of the store, mall, roadside where you get a flat after they leave that location.
Having a weapon isn’t about using that weapon. Having a weapon is about hoping to never have to use that weapon. Let me give you just two scenarios one you are in your home not someplace you can really avoid as your article says you should to avoid conflict. You have 2 armed criminals break in both have killed the homes occupants on previous robberies (you wouldn’t know this fact or anything other than two armed men are in your home with your spouse and family) without a weapon how do you protect your family? Phoning the police will get them on location responding just in time to file the homicide report. I will give you another example more in line with your article. Your car breaks down in Leesburg, Va where there is currently a serial stabber on the loose. He finds your broken down car and you after you just left a very safe location visiting colleges discussing the new gun law. How do you realistically prevent yourself from becoming the next victim I really want to know after reading your article.
Many people equate being armed for self defense like a spare tire if we just replace weapon with a tire let’s see how this sounds. Why would anyone carry around a spare tire most people in their daily lives will never get a flat and need one. The logic you are expressing in your article sounds exactly the same you would never need a weapon for self defense, that is until you find yourself in that exact situation. Some people do not wish to be victims of violent crimes and prefer to fight to save their wife, friends, family and loved ones. Questioning someone who has made a conscious law abiding decision to protect themselves is neither your right or your privilege it is a personal decision as it is with religion. Please tell me you would never criticize someone else’s religion.
