Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL)

Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc.
PO. Box 513, Newington, VA 22122 • 804-639-0600 • 703-372-3285 • 757-271-3705 • 540-446-5783

11/06/09 - VCDL Update 11/6/09 - Part 1

Abbreviations used in VA-ALERT: http://www.vcdl.org/help/abbr.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------- VCDL Update 11/6/09 1. VCDL member John Strauss -- RIP 2. Column: The "no guns" insult 3. Editorial: Virginia and gun control 4. LTE: Loophole 'solution' shifts burden 5. TEXT: ODU campus safety alert [10/30/09] 6. Gun show slur in VA election 7. Lynchburg "Gun Surrender Program" being used to "reduce crime" 8. Dangerous weapon assaults in D.C. 9. Another home invasion claiming to be law enforcement 10. Williamsburg man accused of home invasion arrested 11. James City police to offer free firearm-safety classes 12. Loudon County Sheriff investigates Stabbing Near School 13. Tears flow from gun control advocates as the end of the National Parks gun ban draws closer 14. Is .357 Sig ammunition safe? 15. U.K.: Gun crime goes up by 89 percent in a decade (despite gun ban) 16. N.J. Court Says Americans Have No Right To Buy Handguns 17. Armed off-duty security officer saves doctor 18. Who needs a gun in a national park? 19. Who needs a gun in a restaurant? ************************************************** 1. VCDL member John Strauss -- RIP ************************************************** Al Steed, Jr. emailed me this a few days ago: -- Sad to announce the passing of VCDL & NRA member JOHN STRAUSS, 67, Master Chief, US Navy Retired, a combat wounded veteran of Vietnam and Operation Desert Shield, of Radford, VA. John was a super supporter of all of our Second Amendment events---many of you met John and Betty at the VCDL picnic in Salem. John's funeral service was this afternoon. We here in SW Virginia will miss him--he is now with many of his friends, may he rest in peace. AL STEED JR ************************************************** 2. Column: The "no guns" insult ************************************************** VCDL "Republican Roundup" protest highlighted Jeff Knox emailed me this: -- http://tinyurl.com/ygqn7rx http://www.FirearmsCoalition.org The "No Guns" Insult By Jeff Knox (Manassas, VA, October 29, 2009) How does it make you feel when you start to walk into a business and see a "No Guns" sign prominently posted? Are you angry? Offended? Indifferent? How do you react? Do you just turn around and take your business elsewhere? Complain to the management? Just ignore it and go on with your business? The members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League take "No Guns" signs as personally offensive and they let their offense be known - to the business, to fellow VCDL members, and anyone else who'll listen - or read a web page. VCDL maintains a list of anti-rights Virginia businesses on their web site, www.VCDL.org, and encourages gun owners and rights supporters to avoid these businesses except to let them know that their policy is offensive. VCDL has actively pursued this position for several years while they have simultaneously grown to become the most politically active and effective rights organization in the state. So when the 7th District Republican Committee decided to hold a major fundraising rally in a location which is prominently posted "No Guns," VCDL let the Republicans know they weren't happy. When the Republicans held the annual event in the same anti-rights location every year for the next several years, disregarding VCDL's repeated objections, many at VCDL began taking the Republicans' choice as an insult. When the Republicans refused to change venues - even though VCDL offered to help sponsor the event at a different location - VCDL got mad. On October 17th about 250 VCDL protesters gathered in a shopping mall near the Innsbrook Pavilion, the private, anti-rights event center where the annual Republican Roundup was being staged. The well organized protest included a moon-bounce and other distractions set up for the kids, an airplane towing a "Guns Save Lives" banner, and even a hot air balloon proclaiming the same message. Local shops, restaurants, and hotels welcomed the protesters - who were mostly openly carrying sidearms - and even offered special discounts. A good and safe time was had by all. The Chairman of the 7th District Republican Committee has previously told people who complained to him about his choice to use the anti- rights facilities that while he and the Republican Party strongly support the Second Amendment, price and convenience trumps principles. And he's sticking to his No Guns. Even as there were almost as many people outside protesting as there were inside rallying, the chairman announced that the event would again be held in the same location next year. The level of base callousness and simple stupidity is just staggering. This up-scuttle echoes a larger issue of misunderstanding between the activist, rights community and the general public - sadly often including many gun owners. When a business posts a "No Guns" policy they are making a political statement whether that is their intent or not. They are also denigrating and insulting lawful gun owners - particularly those who choose to carry. A "No Guns" sign serves no useful purpose beyond these insults and political posturing because the only people to whom such signs apply are the most conscientious and responsible gun owners. Criminals and the irresponsible simply ignore the signs and do exactly what they would have done without the signs, except with perhaps a greater sense of security knowing that conscientious, law-abiding gun owners have disarmed or gone somewhere else. Gun owners and rights supporters who are not angered and offended by these "We Don't Want Your Kind" signs posted on businesses they frequent are being as thoughtless and insensitive as the businesses themselves. These "No Guns" signs should elicit the same reaction from gun owners and our friends that "Whites Only" signs did among blacks and civil rights supporters in the 1960's. They are a personal insult and an assault on our liberty and anyone who can't see that is simply choosing not to. That appears to be the case with the leadership of Virginia's 7th District Republicans. One must wonder whether they would continue using the same facilities if the sign on the door read "No Jews" rather than "No Guns." Posting a "No Guns" sign is not a business decision about patron safety nor is disarming just a minor inconvenience. Such signs are a political statement and an insult and they should never go unanswered. The Firearms Coalition offers Merchant Education Cards which make it easy to let businesses know why they're losing our business. They are available at www.FirearmsCoalition.org. ************************************************** 3. Editorial: Virginia and gun control ************************************************** New York Times opines: "vast majority of Virginians want to plug the gun-show loophole" Another paper quoting the bogus survey paid for by the Virginian-Pilot. If Virginians wanted to register the private sales of guns and do damage to gun shows, they would have elected Creigh Deeds, who wanted to pass such legislation to make the parents of the Virginia Tech massacre victims "feel better:" http://tinyurl.com/y97sj4x www.nytimes.com EDITORIAL Virginia and Gun Control Published: October 21, 2009 Lost in the public polling fine print of the Virginia governor's race is a strikingly vital statistic: a vast majority of Virginians want to plug the gun-show loophole that for years has fed the "Iron Pipeline" of weapons flowing into states and cities with stricter gun controls. The issue of gun control has traditionally been a third rail in Virginia campaigning, and it still is. But a new poll for The Virginian-Pilot by Christopher Newport University found that 8 out of every 10 likely voters want to end the practice of allowing unlicensed dealers at "sportsmen" shows to sell guns wholesale outside the laws that mandate a background check of purchasers. The loophole is no laughing matter, although the National Rifle Association is using a fictitious Soprano-like "Noo Yawker" to bolster Bob McDonnell, the Republican candidate for governor who favors leaving the loophole unchanged. "Fuhgeddaboud your freedoms" if Mr. McDonnell is not elected, the faux Mafioso warns Virginians in a TV ad. It's payback for Mayor Michael Bloomberg's recent stings documenting how Virginian dealers are a major conduit for crime guns in New York City. The record in Virginia of the Democratic candidate, Creigh Deeds, closely parallels Mr. McDonnell's fierce politicking as a defender of gun rights -- with the notable exception of the gun-show loophole. Mr. Deeds felt obliged to honor the pleas from families whose loved ones were among the 32 fatalities in the Virginia Tech gun massacre two years ago. With that went the N.R.A. endorsement that the Democrat had enjoyed in the past. The loophole closure is far from the dominant issue in the multifarious Virginia campaign, even if most voters realize the Virginia Tech spree brings gun control closer to home. Closing the loophole has been repeatedly set back by statehouse machinations, but by fewer and fewer votes. Those latest newspaper poll results show the people are speaking. Too bad politicians are not listening. ************************************************** 4. LTE: Loophole 'solution' shifts burden ************************************************** http://tinyurl.com/yl5m7xc http:www2.dailyprogress.com/ Loophole 'solution' shifts burden Katelyn Sack Published: October 27, 2009 Closing the Virginia gun show loophole ("Closing Virginia's gun show loophole," The Daily Progress, Oct. 18) is a fine idea. [PVC: Actually, there is no loophole to close, and VCDL does not support the end-game gun registration scheme that would result from mandating government oversight of private sales.] Problem is, none of the change's proponents are addressing the other side's concerns about how this will be done. The real fight here is about money, not safety or lawful conduct. Freelance gun sellers -- private citizens or small business owners whose primary business is not the sale of firearms -- will be required to run background checks on everyone they sell to. Currently, they are required to run such checks only if they are licensed. Freelance sellers will also be required to pay for those background checks, which probably means paying a larger gun seller to run the National Instant Criminal Background Check System check for them because the relevant databases (containing oodles of personal information) are not public record. Big business will swallow neighborhood enterprise, and some sales conducted exactly as before will simply be criminalized. Suddenly, there will be a new crime wave taxpayers have to pay for the government to address, although the public safety picture will not have changed a pixel. If the government wants to require an extra bureaucratic dance from everyone at the disco, it ought to foot the bill. Otherwise, closing the loophole will only create more crime -- by criminalizing the sale of firearms between small sellers and bargain-shoppers who can't afford to pay for the government to do its job. Make the criminal background check available to freelance sellers free of charge at a booth staffed by a public servant, and the Virginia gun show loophole will close itself. Katelyn Sack Charlottesville ************************************************** 5. TEXT: ODU campus safety alert [10/30/09] ************************************************** Old Dominion University campus safety suggestion: hope violent criminals leave you alone. Aaron Smith emailed me this: -- Who needs a gun around Old Dominion University's campus? What always irks me about these campus wide emails that they send out, is they never make any mention of effective self defense. -Aaron Smith From: Falck, Michelle M. Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 8:45 AM Subject: ODU Campus Safety Alert 10/30/09 The Norfolk Police Department has made us aware of two incidents involving students that occurred last night in the area concurrent to campus. At the 7-Eleven store on 52nd Street and Colley Avenue, a black male with a handgun exited a blue minivan and approached a student standing outside the store at approximately 10:45 p.m., robbing him of a knapsack and money. On Hampton Boulevard near Larchmont Elementary School, two black males approached a student at approximately 1 a.m. and asked to use his cellular phone. When the student refused, one of the suspects displayed a handgun and robbed him of his wallet. Neither student was harmed in the incidents. The police department would like to remind the campus community that an increase in the incidents of larceny is typical as the holiday season approaches and that extra care and precautions should be taken. Here are recommendations on how to keep yourself and your friends safe: Familiarize yourself with the locations of emergency phones and call boxes in the buildings and around the campus routes you normally visit and walk. All campus buildings have red telephones that link directly to campus police. Additionally, there are blue emergency call boxes located around campus that also call directly to campus police. Walk on well-lit paths and streets and walk with others, especially at night. Use the campus escort service. It is available 5:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. weekdays and 8:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on weekends by calling 683-3477 or using one of the emergency telephones or blue light call boxes. Police officers are available to escort you after-hours. Keep doors locked, including the doors to your dorm room, off-campus residence and car. Do not prop open any doors to the residence halls. Do not invite strangers into your dorm room or off-campus house. While that person you just met at a party may seem really nice, he or she could have bad intentions. Limit your drinking. Too much alcohol impairs your judgment and makes you less aware of your surroundings. Do not leave your bicycle, laptop, iPod or other valuables unsecured and do not leave valuables in view in your vehicle. Do not leave holiday gift purchases in your car.Report suspicious activity and situations to campus police. If you are a victim of crime, report it to police immediately. The Police Department can be reached 24 hours a day, every day, by calling 757-683-4000 (3-4000 from a campus phone). ************************************************** 6. Gun show slur in VA election ************************************************** State Delegate Stephen Shannon smears VA attorney general candidate Ken Cuccinelli over his support for unregulated private guns sales http://tinyurl.com/y9vzbhd www.washingtontimes.com Gun-Show Slur in Virginia Election: With just days to go before the election, Virginia Democrats are getting desperate. In the race to become the commonwealth's next attorney general, state Delegate Stephen Shannon is trying to tar his opponent, state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, for purportedly giving guns to convicted felons. Mr. Shannon is sending around literature with a scary picture of a violent criminal claiming: "FACT: Ken Cuccinelli, candidate for attorney general, voted to allow violent felons to purchase guns in Virginia." We hate to break it to Mr. Shannon but this isn't going to be his Willie Horton ad. Mr. Shannon's convoluted logic goes this way: Since Mr. Cuccinelli voted against regulating the private sale of guns at gun shows, that means he supports felons having guns. Never mind that it is still illegal for felons to have guns and the senator supports that ban... ************************************************** 7. Lynchburg "Gun Surrender Program" being used to "reduce crime" ************************************************** Scott Byer emailed me this: -- Mr. Van Cleave, My father, Gene Byer, is a member of your organization. I have followed you for some time now. Thank you for your support of our Second Amendment rights! To the point of this email, I stumbled upon a campaign in Lynchburg, VA today. Please follow this link to the 'Gun-Surrender Program' news report on the local NBC affiliate WSLS 10. As far as I am concerned, this is absurd! What's next? Scott Byer http://tinyurl.com/yle95wz Lynchburg homicide-free in 2009, gun surrender program helping By CANDICE NELSON | WSLS10 Reporter Published: October 6, 2009 Updated: October 7, 2009 A gun surrender program in Lynchburg wants criminals with guns to turn them over without the fear of getting in trouble. A team effort between Churches United for Service and the Lynchburg Police Department kicked off the gun surrender program in 2008. So far, they've collected 10 guns. On Tuesday, another gun surrender event was held at Providence Place in Lynchburg. The gun surrender program is also for people who want to get rid of a firearm in their home. For example, Rev. Charles Lewis was there to turn over a gun his grandson used to commit suicide two years ago. "If I kept it, I would always be remembering my grandson, you know," said Lewis. Dr. James Coleman is with Providence Ministries International, and said he's talked with the people who have turned in their guns. "They're excited to turn them in. Some of them are glad to get rid of them. They're scared they might be used in a negative way again," he said. Those who turn in the guns also have a chance to win a 2000 Chevrolet Impala which has been decorated with flames for trim and has been painted orange and white. The car was a former police cruiser that has now been converted into a decorated, or "tricked out," car. Lynchburg Police pointed out the city hasn't seen any homicides this year. Police Chief, Parks Snead, says it's been "very effective because you have to start somewhere." Chief Snead said Lynchburg had four homicides in 2008. Although there hasn't been any this year, Dr. Coleman says the gun surrender program cannot take full credit. There haven't been any deaths but in the last 12 months, guns have been involved in more than 250 cases. "Crime in Lynchburg is always a fluctuating topic- in any community. We have violent crime in Lynchburg; we have property crime. Levels by my recollection are stabilizing somewhat," Chief Snead said. Before Rev. Lewis left, he said, "If we get guns out of criminals hands, our cities and everything will be a whole lot safer." People won't get in trouble for turning in a gun at a gun surrender event. The next event will be on November 5th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the corner of 17th and Monroe Streets. ************************************************** 8. Dangerous weapon assaults in D.C. ************************************************** Crime stats raise question of whether D.C. should ban fists, barstools next Deborah Jane Anderson emailed me this: -- Philip, Below are the two "Assault with Dangerous Weapon" reports I mentioned to you yesterday evening at Fuddruckers. These occurred within the 2nd District MPD's jurisdiction. Hmmm -- if DC Government officials take their ridiculous arguments against guns and applies them to other objects, then in light of these violent incidents, maybe DC Government should seek to ban people from making a fist or having/owning/possessing a wooden step stool! ;) Blessings, Deborah Jane Anderson http://tinyurl.com/yjld8sa Watch Commander's Crime Report Posted by: "Neal, Ralph (MPD)" Ralph.Neal*dc.gov neal224 Mon Oct 26, 2009 4:06 am (PDT) On Saturday, October 24, 2009, the following crimes were reported: Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Fist/ 207 The event occurred at Connecticut Avenue and N St. NW, at 1:20 AM. C-1 reported that he was assaulted by S-1 and S-2 after they punched him. MPD members responded to the scene and arrested them. Assault with a Dangerous Weapon Stepstool/ 203 The event occurred in the 4400 block of 35th Street, NW, at 11:40 AM. C-1 reported that S-1 picked up a wooden stepstool and struck her in the right hand. MPD members responded to the scene and arrested S-1 for Domestic Violence. ************************************************** 9. Another home invasion claiming to be law enforcement ************************************************** Robbers in Sterling Park home invasion brandished guns and claimed to be law enforcement http://tinyurl.com/y964zq4 http://www.loudouni.com Home Invasion Robbery Reported in Sterling Park Friday, 30 October 2009 The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating a home invasion- style robbery that occurred early Friday morning in Sterling Park. According to authorities, at 3:37 a.m. on Oct. 30, two unknown masked men forced their way into a home on the 1200 block of East Lee Road near Sully Elementary School. Both of the men brandished firearms and claimed to be law enforcement. They then removed a safe and took cash from the homeowners. The residents were not injured. The suspects were described as black males wearing all-dark clothing. Anyone with any information about this case is asked to call Investigator S. Coderre of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call Loudoun Crime Solvers at 703-777-1919. If the information provided to Loudoun Crime Solvers leads to an arrest and indictment, the caller could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. ************************************************** 10. Williamsburg man accused of home invasion arrested ************************************************** Suspect arrested in Lackey home invasion in which one person was shot this summer http://tinyurl.com/yf83s3a http://www.dailypress.com/ Arrest made in York County home invasion By Jon Cawley October 30, 2009 YORK - A Williamsburg man was arrested Thursday and charged with 11 felonies connected to a Lackey home invasion this summer in which a man was shot. IBN Bilal, 25, of the 100 block of Albermarle Drive, was arrested at a residence in James City County Thursday afternoon. The charges stem from a June 11 home invasion at a residence in the 700 block of Baptist Road, said Sgt. Dennis Ivey, Jr., an investigator with the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office. Bilal is charged with malicious wounding, four counts of abduction by force/intimidation, five counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony and possessing a stolen firearm, according to the Virginia Case Information system. A jailer at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail said Bilal was being held without bond. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Dec. 15 in York-Poquoson General District Court. Ivey said the investigation is ongoing and the identity of the actual triggerman in the home invasion is unclear at this point. In June, Ivey said two males and two females reported being at the Lackey residence about 10:30 p.m. when two of them were confronted while outside and forced back into the house at gunpoint. Once inside, one suspect tried to rob the other two victims in a back bedroom and a fight ensued. During the struggle, one of the victims was shot in the stomach with a semi-automatic handgun fired by another assailant in the living room. Ivey said Thursday that the man recovered fully from the shooting. At the time of the incident, two males were being sought. One suspect was described in a sheriff's office statement as being "very young looking" while the other had stubby fingers and eyebrows that pointed upward "like he had an evil expression." ************************************************** 11. James City police to offer free firearm-safety classes ************************************************** http://tinyurl.com/yfpbeq8 www.dailypress.com James City police to offer free firearm-safety classes -------------------- By Dan Parsons October 28 2009 JAMES CITY Beginning next month, the James City County Police Department will offer a series of firearm safety classes to adults and youth. ************************************************** 12. Loudon County Sheriff investigates Stabbing Near School ************************************************** Chris Borneman emailed me this: -- ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Loudoun Sheriff To: RSAN Sent: Mon, October 26, 2009 9:34:44 AM Subject: LCSO Investigating Reported Attempted Robbery/ Stabbing Sunday Night Near Sugarland Run Elementary School Loudoun County, VA: The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office is investigating an attempted robbery and malicious wounding that occurred Sunday, October 25th in the parking lot of an elementary school. Around 7 p.m. Sheriff's Deputies responded to the area of Sugarland Run Elementary school where the victim of a stabbing had apparently gone to several homes seeking help. The victim, a 23-year-old Sterling, VA man, told authorities he was riding his bike in the area when he was approached by an unknown subject who demanded cash. The victim refused to give the suspect money and was stabbed by the suspect. The suspect was described as a tall Black male in his early twenties, wearing a black t-shirt, a gray hooded sweatshirt and black pants. The area was searched by multiple patrol units including a K-9 Unit. No suspect matching this description was located. The victim was airlifted to INOVA Fairfax Hospital where he is listed in stable condition. The incident was not related to any activities at the elementary school and authorities do not believe there is any threat to the students who attend the school. Anyone with any information regarding this case is asked to contact Investigator M. McCaffrey of the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475. If the caller wishes to remain anonymous they are asked to contact Loudoun Crime Solvers. If the information provided leads to an arrest and indictment, the caller could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000. Sent to Media Only, Serious Crimes - Sheriff (E-mail accounts, Pagers, Cell phones) through Alert Loudoun ************************************************** 13. Tears flow from gun control advocates as the end of the National Parks gun ban draws closer ************************************************** Ban to be lifted on February 22, 2010 allows parks to be governed by state gun laws http://tinyurl.com/yknedp4 www.examiner.com [SNIP] Tears flow from gun control advocates as the end of the National Parks gun ban draws closer October 28 Cleveland Gun Rights Examiner Daniel White In late February, the new law goes into effect which lifts the gun ban in our National Parks. An article in the Yellowstone Insider complains that it won't be just concealed carry permit holders who will have the right to armed self-defense restored. Whether by design or accident, it removes concealed-carry provisions from the mix and basically allows state gun laws to take precedence in any National Park. This is billed as an "unintended effect" by the Insider because as their source material from the Jackson Hole News & Guide points out, "when U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., attached a rider to a credit card reform bill earlier this year, almost all reports indicated it applied to concealed weapons only." [SNIP} ************************************************** 14. A look at the danger of bullet set back ************************************************** http://tinyurl.com/yfkftc8 This is an article and link sent by Stephen P. Wenger. Below it is an exchange Stephen and I had regarding data in that article. -- Bullet Setback versus Pressure: When the .357 SIG first hit the market, my late friend and mentor Jim Andrews expressed concern about the risk of excessive pressure if the short neck allowed the bullet to be "set back" by the impact of the bullet hitting the feed ramp during the chambering process. As a result, for many years I have counseled against repeatedly chambering the same round (see the second item under Miscellaneous Comments at http://tinyurl.com/ybs6hjz). Now we have some actual data, coincidentally for the .357 SIG but still generally applicable to other rounds. I was surprised to see that CCI/ Speer found that, past a certain point of setback, ignition was affected in a manner, due to compression of the powder, that led to a slight drop in chamber pressure but not back into the "specified" range. I would not count on the latter occurring with all rounds as the space occupied by the powder, as well as the choice of powder, can vary greatly. -- Philip Van Cleave wrote: As always, a great selection of items, Stephen. On the setback item below, looking at the graph, while pressure does indeed increase with setback from about 39,000 to about 49,000 PSI, it appears to be well below the proof pressure. Does that mean that in reality it is not really dangerous to have setback? Philip -- Good question (I noticed the same thing). My understanding is that proof pressure is intended for one-time testing, not ongoing use. This is precisely why SAAMI sets upper limits well below those for proofing loads. I'm sure that many modern handguns will tolerate an occasional over-pressure load but that is precisely the built-in safety factor for which they are proofed. Further, while I'm not sure about the .357 SIG chambering, Glock pistols do not adhere to SAAMI chamber dimensions, which is believed by many to be a crucial factor in their association with catastrophic Continued ...