Virginia Legislative Alert - January 18, 2001
Pro-Gun Bills Introduced!
Your Help is Needed To Get these Bills Passed!
The best defense is a strong offense.
The Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), the non-partisan
organization that led the effort to reform the concealed carry law
in 1995, has two major legislative initiatives this year:
· · Repeal the 5 year old "restaurant ban" on concealed carry
· · Improve concealed carry reciprocity
Since the late 1800s, concealed handgun permit holders
could and did legally carry concealed in businesses that
sold alcohol for on premises consumption without any
problem (according to the Virginia State Police).
When the law was reformed in 1995, the politicians
added this new and unneeded restriction without cause.
Here is the solution!
HB 2658 -- Del. R. Lee Ware's Bill to "Repeal the Restaurant Ban"
This bill eliminates the restriction placed on carrying concealed
handguns in restaurants by permit holders. This bill will fix the
current unsafe situation in which permit holders are forced to
leave weapons in unattended vehicles while they dine.
VCDL is also working to fix Virginia's concealed carry
reciprocity language that both the National Rifle Association
and the Virginia Shooting Sports Association characterized
as "the most severely restricted reciprocation language in
the nation." So far, Virginia has established reciprocity with
only two states, yet there are six other states that unilaterally
recognize Virginia's concealed handgun permit.
HB 1655 -- Del. Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr. Bill to Improve Reciprocity
Delegate Watkins Abbitt has introduced HB 1655, which
would recognize the concealed weapons permits of other states.
This will also benefit you because there are several states that will
automatically recognize Virginia's permit once Virginia recognizes
their permit. Existing law has been interpreted so narrowly that
only 2 states have reciprocity with Virginia. Imagine how the law
would be interpreted if an anti-gun Governor was elected. This bill
is the best solution as it eliminates the ability of anti-gun bureaucrats
to creatively interpret the law.
Unfortunately we fear that Republicans on the House M&P committee
may oppose this good bill because the sponsor is a Democrat!
Remember that in 1995 it was Senator Virgil Goode Jr., a Democrat,
who worked with VCDL to pass the Personal Protection Act.
We can't let partisan politics stop needed pro-gun legislation!
HB 1655 is the best solution because it eliminates the ability of anti-gun
bureaucrats to creatively interpret the law.
Since the Republicans took control of the General Assembly in 1999,
they have run from the gun issue. That's why it's critical for you to
contact key legislators NOW!
Contact your Delegate and Senator!
Here is a sample letter:
"Dear Delegate/Senator:"
"Repeal the restaurant ban! It makes no sense to force permit holders to
leave unattended guns in restaurant parking lots. No halfway measures!
Strike section J3 completely! I urge you to support HB 2658!"
"Fix concealed carry reciprocity so that permit holders can carry their
protection in more states when traveling. Existing law has been
interpreted
so narrowly that only 2 states have reciprocity. Imagine how the law would
be interpreted if an anti-gun Governor was elected. Vote FOR HB-1655,
it is the best solution as it eliminates the ability of anti-gun bureaucrats
to
creatively interpret the law. I urge you to support HB 1655!"
"In addition, I expect you to actively oppose all gun control measures.
Please keep me informed on the progress of this needed legislation!"
Sincerely
John T. Hancock
1234 Jones Rd.
Anytown, VA 12345
Write your Delegate and Senator at the following addresses:
The Honorable (your Delegate's name)
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, VA 23218
The Honorable (your Senator's name)
General Assembly Building
Richmond, VA 23219
or send them a FAX
Delegates: 804-786-6310
Senators: 804-786-4640
If you aren't sure who your legislators are, call the
legislative information hotline (1-800-889-0229)
or your county voter registration office.
Please write the following Delegates, they are key
members of the House Militia & Police Committee
(in addition to your own representatives) and urge
them to support HB 1655 & HB 2658:
McClure, Roger John Del_McClure@house.state.va.us
Griffith, Howard Morgan Del_Griffith@house.state.va.us
Ingram, Riley Edward Del_Ingram@house.state.va.us
Jackson, Thomas Micajah Del_Jackson@house.state.va.us
Joannou, Johnny Savas Del_Joannou@house.state.va.us
Katzen, Jay Kenneth Del_Katzen@house.state.va.us
Kilgore, Terry Gene Del_Kilgore@house.state.va.us
Louderback, Allen Lee Del_Louderback@house.state.va.us
Morgan, Harvey Bland Del_Morgan@house.state.va.us
Pollard, Albert Clarkson Del_Pollard@house.state.va.us
Putney, Lacey Edward Del_Putney@house.state.va.us
Robinson, William Peters Del_Robinson@house.state.va.us
Rollison, John Adams (Jack) Del_Rollison@house.state.va.us
Sherwood, Beverly Jean Del_Sherwood@house.state.va.us
Tata, Robert Del_Tata@house.state.va.us
Tate, John Harvey Del_Tate@house.state.va.us
Thomas, Alfred Victor Del_Thomas@house.state.va.us
Ware, Robert Lee Del_Ware@house.state.va.us
Weatherholtz, Glenn M. Del_Weatherholtz@house.state.va.us
For phone numbers see http://www.vcdl.org/m&p.htm
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc.
P.O. Box 513, Newington, VA 22122
(804) 639-0600 http://www.vcdl.org
VA-ALERT is a project of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the civil rights of all Virginians. The membership considers the right to keep and bear arms an essential civil right.
VCDL web page: http://www.vcdl.org
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Pro-Gun Bills Introduced!
Your Help is Needed To Get these Bills Passed!
The best defense is a strong offense.
The Virginia Citizens Defense League (VCDL), the non-partisan
organization that led the effort to reform the concealed carry law
in 1995, has two major legislative initiatives this year:
· · Repeal the 5 year old "restaurant ban" on concealed carry
· · Improve concealed carry reciprocity
Since the late 1800s, concealed handgun permit holders
could and did legally carry concealed in businesses that
sold alcohol for on premises consumption without any
problem (according to the Virginia State Police).
When the law was reformed in 1995, the politicians
added this new and unneeded restriction without cause.
Here is the solution!
HB 2658 -- Del. R. Lee Ware's Bill to "Repeal the Restaurant Ban"
This bill eliminates the restriction placed on carrying concealed
handguns in restaurants by permit holders. This bill will fix the
current unsafe situation in which permit holders are forced to
leave weapons in unattended vehicles while they dine.
VCDL is also working to fix Virginia's concealed carry
reciprocity language that both the National Rifle Association
and the Virginia Shooting Sports Association characterized
as "the most severely restricted reciprocation language in
the nation." So far, Virginia has established reciprocity with
only two states, yet there are six other states that unilaterally
recognize Virginia's concealed handgun permit.
HB 1655 -- Del. Watkins M. Abbitt, Jr. Bill to Improve Reciprocity
Delegate Watkins Abbitt has introduced HB 1655, which
would recognize the concealed weapons permits of other states.
This will also benefit you because there are several states that will
automatically recognize Virginia's permit once Virginia recognizes
their permit. Existing law has been interpreted so narrowly that
only 2 states have reciprocity with Virginia. Imagine how the law
would be interpreted if an anti-gun Governor was elected. This bill
is the best solution as it eliminates the ability of anti-gun bureaucrats
to creatively interpret the law.
Unfortunately we fear that Republicans on the House M&P committee
may oppose this good bill because the sponsor is a Democrat!
Remember that in 1995 it was Senator Virgil Goode Jr., a Democrat,
who worked with VCDL to pass the Personal Protection Act.
We can't let partisan politics stop needed pro-gun legislation!
HB 1655 is the best solution because it eliminates the ability of anti-gun
bureaucrats to creatively interpret the law.
Since the Republicans took control of the General Assembly in 1999,
they have run from the gun issue. That's why it's critical for you to
contact key legislators NOW!
Contact your Delegate and Senator!
Here is a sample letter:
"Dear Delegate/Senator:"
"Repeal the restaurant ban! It makes no sense to force permit holders to
leave unattended guns in restaurant parking lots. No halfway measures!
Strike section J3 completely! I urge you to support HB 2658!"
"Fix concealed carry reciprocity so that permit holders can carry their
protection in more states when traveling. Existing law has been
interpreted
so narrowly that only 2 states have reciprocity. Imagine how the law would
be interpreted if an anti-gun Governor was elected. Vote FOR HB-1655,
it is the best solution as it eliminates the ability of anti-gun bureaucrats
to
creatively interpret the law. I urge you to support HB 1655!"
"In addition, I expect you to actively oppose all gun control measures.
Please keep me informed on the progress of this needed legislation!"
Sincerely
John T. Hancock
1234 Jones Rd.
Anytown, VA 12345
Write your Delegate and Senator at the following addresses:
The Honorable (your Delegate's name)
P.O. Box 406
Richmond, VA 23218
The Honorable (your Senator's name)
General Assembly Building
Richmond, VA 23219
or send them a FAX
Delegates: 804-786-6310
Senators: 804-786-4640
If you aren't sure who your legislators are, call the
legislative information hotline (1-800-889-0229)
or your county voter registration office.
Please write the following Delegates, they are key
members of the House Militia & Police Committee
(in addition to your own representatives) and urge
them to support HB 1655 & HB 2658:
McClure, Roger John Del_McClure@house.state.va.us
Griffith, Howard Morgan Del_Griffith@house.state.va.us
Ingram, Riley Edward Del_Ingram@house.state.va.us
Jackson, Thomas Micajah Del_Jackson@house.state.va.us
Joannou, Johnny Savas Del_Joannou@house.state.va.us
Katzen, Jay Kenneth Del_Katzen@house.state.va.us
Kilgore, Terry Gene Del_Kilgore@house.state.va.us
Louderback, Allen Lee Del_Louderback@house.state.va.us
Morgan, Harvey Bland Del_Morgan@house.state.va.us
Pollard, Albert Clarkson Del_Pollard@house.state.va.us
Putney, Lacey Edward Del_Putney@house.state.va.us
Robinson, William Peters Del_Robinson@house.state.va.us
Rollison, John Adams (Jack) Del_Rollison@house.state.va.us
Sherwood, Beverly Jean Del_Sherwood@house.state.va.us
Tata, Robert Del_Tata@house.state.va.us
Tate, John Harvey Del_Tate@house.state.va.us
Thomas, Alfred Victor Del_Thomas@house.state.va.us
Ware, Robert Lee Del_Ware@house.state.va.us
Weatherholtz, Glenn M. Del_Weatherholtz@house.state.va.us
For phone numbers see http://www.vcdl.org/m&p.htm
Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc.
P.O. Box 513, Newington, VA 22122
(804) 639-0600 http://www.vcdl.org
VA-ALERT is a project of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization dedicated to defending the civil rights of all Virginians. The membership considers the right to keep and bear arms an essential civil right.
VCDL web page: http://www.vcdl.org
********************************************
To unsubscribe from this list, send a message
to majordomo@listbox.com with the
following text in the body of the message:
unsubscribe va-alert
*********************************************
Changing your email address?
Unsubscribe your old email address using the above
procedure.
Then subscribe from your new email address by
sending a message to majordomo@listbox.com
with the following text in the body of the message:
subscribe va-alert