I had no problem entering the GAB. I did NOT go through the CHP door, as I was carrying a bag.
I saw one person turned away from the CHP door because he was not carrying. I would have liked to say something -- it is advertised as a CHP door, not a door for persons carrying firearms. And my son was not carrying (of course), but went through with my spouse.
I saw a person go through the main door, set off the metal detectors, get wanded (carrying small-of-back) and then the police officer made him lift his pant legs to show he had nothing around his ankles. The wand had not gone off around his ankles.
I had a VCDL member tell me "I don't talk to my representative - he's an ass." When I tried to tell him I always try to find something, no matter how small, with which I do agree with my rabidly anti-gun delegate (and mentioned that one of the subjects on which we agree was marriage equality), the member also turned his back on me (figuratively). I don't expect everyone who owns a gun to agree with me on other issues, but we've been showing a miserable lack of respect for one another over the last six months or so.
I was dismayed by the low turnout.
I was disappointed by the number of people from other groups - particularly the motorcyclists and the medical-marijuana advocates - who wouldn't wear our stickers. In the past, we've had others seeking us out. Today, many were afraid to talk about other issues while wearing our stickers. I fear that shows a dreadful lack of citizen involvement; if we can't show our elected officeholders we're united on one issue but all have differing priorities, what are these politicians to think?
I was at least a little buoyed when Delegate Surovell told me he is severely outnumbered in the House and there will be no gun control bills getting through there. (He was not happy, particularly when I replied "So that's one good thing.")
I saw one person turned away from the CHP door because he was not carrying. I would have liked to say something -- it is advertised as a CHP door, not a door for persons carrying firearms. And my son was not carrying (of course), but went through with my spouse.
I saw a person go through the main door, set off the metal detectors, get wanded (carrying small-of-back) and then the police officer made him lift his pant legs to show he had nothing around his ankles. The wand had not gone off around his ankles.
I had a VCDL member tell me "I don't talk to my representative - he's an ass." When I tried to tell him I always try to find something, no matter how small, with which I do agree with my rabidly anti-gun delegate (and mentioned that one of the subjects on which we agree was marriage equality), the member also turned his back on me (figuratively). I don't expect everyone who owns a gun to agree with me on other issues, but we've been showing a miserable lack of respect for one another over the last six months or so.
I was dismayed by the low turnout.
I was disappointed by the number of people from other groups - particularly the motorcyclists and the medical-marijuana advocates - who wouldn't wear our stickers. In the past, we've had others seeking us out. Today, many were afraid to talk about other issues while wearing our stickers. I fear that shows a dreadful lack of citizen involvement; if we can't show our elected officeholders we're united on one issue but all have differing priorities, what are these politicians to think?
I was at least a little buoyed when Delegate Surovell told me he is severely outnumbered in the House and there will be no gun control bills getting through there. (He was not happy, particularly when I replied "So that's one good thing.")