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

10/06/09 - VCDL Update 10/6/09 - Part 3

as long as they don't drink. If those bar and restaurant owners don't want guns on the property, they must post a sign indicating that they are not allowed. The law only requires one sign be posted in a "conspicuous" place, near the establishment's liquor license. But Al McCarthy, owner of Duke's Sports Bar & Grill in Scottsdale, put up three signs - one for each entrance to his property - "as soon as the bill passed" nearly three months ago. "I want to make sure there's no confusion as to where this business stands on the issue," McCarthy said. "I have yet to have a customer to = tell me they wish I hadn't put up the sign." About a thousand official, laminated signs have been requested since they became available in mid-August, according to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, with the average establishment requesting four signs. Business owners also have been able to download and print their own signs from the department's Web site. Janie Riddle, co-owner of the local chain Valle Luna, decided not to post any signs banning firearms, saying that it would be "business as usual" at the family's three Mexican restaurants. "We've never had a problem in 26-plus years," said Riddle, whose husband, grown children and various relatives also work at Valle Luna. "We basically talked about it as a family and as a business and just decided it was in the best interest to not prohibit law-abiding citizens from exercising their rights under the Second Amendment." Riddle also said they felt the presence of those carrying guns legally = could deter trouble from those carrying guns illegally. "I think it would get them to think twice, big time," she said. Proponents of the bill argue that concealed-weapons permit holders - who are required to undergo a background check, be fingerprinted and take an eight-hour training course - are among the most responsible gun owners. There were 138,348 concealed-weapons permit holders in Arizona as of Sept. 1. Opponents are concerned that the law could create unnecessarily dangerous situations or harm the local and state tourism industry. "I'm not anti-firearm. I honestly don't think that firearms, drinking and dining are a match," said Don Carson, who has owned Don & Charlie's Steakhouse in Scottsdale for 28 years. "I don't know that I'm looking for a gentleman with a permit for a firearm to defend me against a person who has a firearm illegally, because maybe the person = with the legal firearm isn't such a good shot." Thirty-nine other states have "restaurant carry" laws that allow guns inside dining establishments. Various incarnations of the bill that ultimately passed this session have appeared in the state Legislature for years. Gov. Jan Brewer signed the bill into law on July 13. "We fought it, but we didn't have any partners in the industry to rely = on," said Bill Weigele, president of the Arizona Licensed Beverage Association, which originally opposed the bill. The Arizona Restaurant Association and the Arizona Chamber of Commerce = and Industry were neutral on the bill, and no law-enforcement groups opposed it, according to Sen. Jack Harper, R-Surprise, the bill's sponsor. Weigele said the new law was an eventual compromise between those who wanted to preserve business owners' rights and those concerned with gun-carry rights. Rather than allowing "open carries," the law restricts the gun owner to concealed weapons. The gun owner also is not allowed to drink. Those who do drink while carrying - or who bring concealed weapons into establishments that have posted bans - could face Class 3 misdemeanor charges, punishable by 30 days' jail time and a fine of up = to $500, according to Steve Duffy, an attorney who represented the beverage association. They also risk loss of their concealed-carry permits. "We made what we thought was the best deal," Weigele said. "If we had to die on the vine, we were going to die on the vine with some good." High demand, as well as laminating and postage costs, forced the liquor- licenses department to stop mailing signs to licensees, who can still obtain the free, approved sign in person from the Arizona Restaurant Association or online at azliquor.gov. Todd Rathner, a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, said he did not think the law would make a huge difference after it takes effect. "I think that ultimately restaurant owners will make an economic decision to allow those 138,000 law-abiding citizens to come in and have a meal," Rathner said, "whether they're carrying a concealed weapon or not." ************************************************** 19. After Arizona, Virginia likely next to repeal ban on concealed carry in restaurants ************************************************** Just this year, we've seen Tennessee and Arizona added to the list of states where citizens can conceal carry into an establishment that serves alcohol. Next year, Virginia will likely be added as well. I can't wait, but we must all do our part to make sure the bill ends up on the next Governor's desk. The October 17th Freedom Rally is going to play a part in the restaurant ban repeal, by showing on a large scale that restaurants have no problems with law abiding citizens being armed for self-defense. http://tinyurl.com/yf8nqnw www.examiner.com Mike Stollenwerk September 30, 2009 And then there were eight. SNIP In the famous Agatha Cristie novel And Then There Were None a group of = people on an island mysteriously begins to die off due to accident or foul play. This plot is playing out in real life today with state bans = on carrying handgun for lawful purposes in alcohol serving restaurants = - these bans are rapidly dieing off. .. . . And today, September 30, 2009, Arizona's ban on concealed carry in alcohol serving restaurants is no more. . . . Virginia is widely expected to repeal its "restaurant ban" on concealed carry in 2010 - the Old Dominion's legislature has passed such legislation twice in the past 2 years only to be vetoed by Governor Tim Kaine (D). But both the Republican and Democratic party Gubernatorial nominees in Virginia, Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds, support repeal of the ban on concealed carry in alcohol serving restaurants, and are expected to sign the bill when it passes in 2010. ************************************************** 20. Women buying guns like never before ************************************************** Yes! This is music to my ears. In the next Update we will have a link to photos of a an all-women handgun training event held in Richmond, with lots and lots of members of the fairer sex learning to shoot. http://tinyurl.com/y8cf6k2 www.outdoorlife.com by J.R. Absher September 28, 2009 Gals and guns The ten-month surge in the sale of firearms and the accompanying increase in applications for concealed carry permits in the U.S. have been well documented by the pro-gun media. But a relatively under- reported related gun-sales story has everything to do with sex. Did that get your attention? By all accounts, women are buying guns for personal protection like never before and seeking firearms training and education in increasing = numbers. Last week it was reported that in 2009 nearly 12,000 new pistol permits were issued in Connecticut, a state with one of the historically lowest gun-ownership rates in the country. Between January and May the state saw a 90 percent increase in the number of pistol permits over the previous year, with retailers and safety instructors reporting a spike in first-time gun purchases, particularly by women. I think that the percentage that you'd see of women coming for the first time has quadrupled,John Petricone, a staffer at Tactical Arms in Torrington, told the Danbury Republican-American. Pistol safety classes that once drew about nine men for every woman are now evenly split, Petricone said. That contention was all but confirmed by survey results released this week from the National Shooting Sports Foundation's First Shots program. First Shots is just what the name implies: a program that introduces people to handgun shooting for their first time along with expert coaching and safety instruction. Of the 3,106 participant surveys tabulated from handgun events as of this June, a total of 1,498 participants (48 percent) identified themselves as female. In addition, 64 percent of the female participants indicated the First Shots seminar marked their first-ever = experience shooting a handgun. In a follow-up survey conducted six months after attending the seminar, 20 percent of the female participants said they went on to take formal handgun training such as basic handgun, concealed carry, defensive handgun, NRA safety instruction and other formal programs. Further, nearly half of the responding female First Shots participants = reported to have met their state's requirement to own or purchase a handgun. ************************************************** 21. The true citizen soldier ************************************************** A VA-ALERT reader emailed me this: -- And this is from a guy based in Maryland, where the average law- abiding citizen cannot get the state credential to carry a concealed weapon. Yes, Frank is an ex-cop and trains mostly cops, but I honestly do not believe for a moment he has an "only one" attitude. I'm thinking this might be useful educational material. I'm going to write Frank and ask permission to make reprints. http://tinyurl.com/yezr3r6 www.newamericantruth.com Frank Borelli SNIP If one out of every thirty Americans is armed, that means out of 100 citizens on the street, at least three have a gun with which to shoot and disable / kill a terrorist who makes himself known by presenting any kind of threat. And he has no way of identifying which three out of a hundred. How can they prepare for that? I'm reminded of the story of the Homicide Bomber that opened her robes = in an Israeli market place. A house wife out shopping drew her pistol and, with a single headshot, prevented the bomber from detonating. THAT is the power of an armed citizenry. It's a power we need to leverage instead of arguing about whether or not carrying guns is Constitutionally protected. As a police officer I'm not bothered at all by the number of citizens who are legally armed and licensed to carry. I welcome them. They are the good guys. They are the kind of Americans who fought and bled for our freedom two centuries ago. They are the hard working, often veteran, culturally mixed people who simply want the chance to pursue peace, liberty and justice. They work hard and want to earn a fair wage. They don't ask for handouts. They often give more help than they = can afford. As Garth Brooks says, "We don't reach for handouts; we reach for those who are down." This country has built a great reputation fighting for... defending the underdogs of the world. It's made us strong and that ethos is one that we have to continue to build and develop. America of the future can be even stronger - but we have to quit the internal squabbling. I'll step down off my soap box... Read the numbers. Recognize that our = armed citizens represent a greater defense force - our citizen soldiers - than our law enforcement or military. AMERICANS are what makes America strong - and the whole world knows it. BE SAFE! ************************************************** 22. Alamogordo police pay $21,000 to settle open carry lawsuit ************************************************** This is a followup to an article in VA-ALERT Update 9/15/09, #2 "Federal judge rules police cannot detain people for openly carrying guns." http://tinyurl.com/ydpo6n4 www.examiner.com Mike Stollenwerk September 29, 2009 SNIP As reported in the Alamogordo Daily News today, the Alamogordo, NM Police have paid $21,000 to settle with Matthew A. St. John whom police detained for open carrying a holstered handgun at a movie theater. This settlement follows a host of settlements by police departments around the country with plaintiffs who were detained by police for openly carrying a holstered handgun, including Pennsylvania, Louisiana, Virginia, and Georgia. More cases are still pending in . . . ************************************************** 23. Surprise winner of Obama stimulus spending: gun industry ************************************************** Police departments are using some of the stimulus money to arm up, helping to make Obama "gun salesman of the century." http://tinyurl.com/lc2qwq www.csmonitor.com Patrik Jonsson September 11, 2009 Atlanta Many gun-loving Americans are convinved that President Obama and the Democratic-controlled Congress are bent on ripping rifles from their "cold, dead hands," as actor Charlton Heston once declared at a National Rifle Association meeting. But from the perspective of police departments, not to mention gunmakers, the Obama administration may go down as one of the most gun- friendly in history. Across America, police departments are using the taxpayer-funded stimulus bill to boost their arsenals with shotguns, handguns, and assault rifles. Among the general public, a record 1 million guns were sold across the = United States in August alone, rebuffing expectations that, after 10 months, the post-Obama election gun-buying spree would abate. US gunmaker Smith & Wesson on Wednesday reported a 30 percent rise in sales in the first quarter, leading to unexpected profits and a rising = stock price. But as police departments order new firearms using stimulus funds, there's more than a little irony in the fact that a president whom the = gun industry looked upon with suspicion has put forward a federal program from which gunmakers are benefiting. "Gun culture magazines in the '90s named [President] Clinton 'gun salesman of the year,' but I think Obama, without even trying, has become gun salesman of the century," says Brian Anse Patrick, a gun culture expert at the University of Toledo, and author of the forthcoming book "Rise of the Anti-Media." "One of the largest concerns has been that consumer firearms demand might slow dramatically from Obama-led frenzy levels," Eric Wold, a Merriman Curhan Ford analyst, told the Associated Press this week. "However, not only did consumer sales increase 29 percent, but law- enforcement and international sales jumped 32 percent and 12 percent, respectively." Take the city of Jeffersonville, Ind. Police there are spending $63,000 of their stimulus bill money to buy 74 new assault rifles for their police cruisers. The Barre, Vt., police department used stimulus money to buy six new handguns, 21 Taser guns, and five new shotguns, including one nonlethal version that shoots bean bags. As part of its request for stimulus funds, Arlington, Texas, included $56,000 for military-grade carbines. And in a neat twist, Smyrna, Ga.-based gunmaker Glock recently received $960 in stimulus funds to equip three federal Recovery Act antifraud officers in Washington with new sidearms. They might come in = handy, as Washington is increasingly worried about scams and fraud involving stimulus bill dispersals. Of course, the biggest chunk of the $4 billion in stimulus money intended for law enforcement is to hold onto officers and hire an estimated 5,600 new officers across the US. Most extra funds are being = used not for guns but for other equipment including cruisers and computers. But Andy Molchan, director of the Professional Gun Retailers Association in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., says part of the growing profit statements from gunmakers such as Ruger, Smith & Wesson, and Sig come courtesy of the American taxpayer by way of some of America's 14,000 police jurisdictions. "If there's money there, an agency is going to try to spend it," says Mr. Molchan. "They like to upgrade when they can." But the interests of the gun industry aren't always the same as those of civil libertarians, many of whom are gun owners, says Mr. Patrick. The issue of police militarization is of particular concern, he says. "There's been a sort of creeping sociological phenomenon out there, where people are wondering, 'How many guns do the police need?' " The fact that the stimulus package is helping to prop up gunmakers is proof to some even within the gun industry that fears about major gun- control legislation in the US are, at least for now, unfounded. "The gun industry is always worried, but it's basically kind of a collection of worry warts as far as firearms legislation goes," says Mr. Molchar. "I think the Democrats have realized that for a long time = they were the victims of their own [antigun] propaganda." ************************************************** 24. Growing number of Detroit pastors wear handguns in pulpit ************************************************** One Detroit pastor addresses the question "Who needs a gun in church?" http://tinyurl.com/y8zbfjo www.foxnews.com Associated Press October 1, 2009 DETROIT The Rev. Lawrence Adams teaches his flock at the Westside Bible Church = to turn the other cheek. Just in case, though, the 54-year-old retired = police lieutenant also wears a handgun under his robe. Adams is one of several Detroit clergymen who have taken to packing heat in the pulpit. They have committed their lives to a man who preached nonviolence and told followers to love their enemies. But they also say it's up to them to protect their parishioners in church. "As a pastor, I'm referred to as a shepherd," Adams said. "Shepherds have the responsibility of watching over their flock. Do I want to hurt somebody? Absolutely not!" Responding to a break-in at his church Sunday evening, Adams surprised = a burglar carrying out a bag of loot and shot the man in the abdomen after the man swung the bag at him. The burglar survived for which Adams is grateful but the reverend said = he could have been hurt or killed if he had not been armed. Detroit had the nation's highest homicide rate last year among cities of at least 500,000 residents. The city has been losing manufacturing jobs for decades, and these days about one in four working-age residents is without a job. The northwest Detroit neighborhood surrounding Adams' church isn't one = of the city's most dangerous. But there have been many recent reports of crimes in the area, including four burglaries, three auto thefts, one armed robbery and four assaults, including one with intent to murder. "It's getting worse because of the economy," Adams said. "People are out of work and feel they have to provide for their families." Prior to 2000, anyone who wanted to carry a concealed weapon in Michigan had to show a need to do so. Now, gun owners simply have to pass a stringent background check and complete eight hours of handgun training. "I get people from all walks of life, including pastors," said Rick Ector, owner of Rick's Firearm Academy in Detroit. "But it's not anything specific to pastors. Detroit is not a very safe place." Michigan allows pastors to decide if someone registered to carry a handgun can do so for protection inside churches. The clergy in Detroit who arm themselves say they do so because of the = high overall crime rate. But churchgoers elsewhere have been the target of violent attacks several times in recent years: Last year in a New Jersey church, a man fatally shot his estranged wife and a man who intervened in the attack. A pastor was found stabbed to death in August in an Oklahoma church. A Maryville, Ill., preacher was gunned down during his Sunday sermon in March. In December 2007, a gunman killed two people at a Christian youth mission center near Denver and two others at a megachurch in Colorado Springs. Near Detroit, a man was shot to death in 2003 while worshipping in a Catholic church. And an attacker fatally shot a woman and wounded a child inside another Detroit church three years ago because of a domestic dispute. "I don't know what kind of issues people are bringing with them. You could be running from estranged husband, boyfriend," said Bishop Charles Ellis III, pastor of the 6,500-member Greater Grace Temple in Detroit. Ellis said he sometimes carries a gun, but never in the pulpit. His church has a "ministry of defense" for Sunday services made up of about 18 armed congregants who are off-duty law enforcement officers. Clergy are adjusting to society, said the Rev. Kenneth J. Flowers, pastor of Greater New Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Detroit. "In addition to their faith, they are carrying weapons," said Flowers, = who does not carry a gun. "There used to be a time when everybody respected a pastor. Even a drunk would straighten up if a preacher came by." Many people are uncomfortable with the idea of an armed clergy, because Christ preached against violence and taught people they should = love their enemies. "But the scriptures also are clear that civil authority is part of God's plan," said Claude Wiggins, a former pastor and current assistant at the Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary. "In our country, it says in due process that you may bear arms to protect yourself. While we should be committed to trusting God, that doesn't prevent us or command us to be totally passive," Wiggins said. Al Meredith, pastor of the Wedgwood church in Fort Worth, said some off-duty police officers who are deacons at his church carry guns, but = he's uncomfortable with the idea of an armed congregation. "It discourages the crazies from acts of violence if they see uniforms = around, but I don't want everybody bringing guns," Meredith said. "My ultimate conviction is what does the word of God say and what would Jesus do? Can you in your wildest imagination ever see Jesus packing a .38? I can't imagine Peter and Paul carrying .45s." The Rev. William Revely, who sometimes wears his .357-caliber handgun while preaching at the Holy Hope Heritage Church in Detroit, does not worry whether it might be wrong for a man of God to carry a firearm in = church. "I've always felt that the only way to handle a bear in a bear meeting = is to have something you can handle a bear with," said the 68-year-old = pastor, who practices at a gun range with another pastor. "We have to be realistic. I know too many people who've been shot, carjacked." Adams said most if not all of Westside's 50 members have supported his = actions after encountering the burglar. "People want to look at Christians and the church as believers in God and ask 'Why doesn't God protect you?" Adams said. "The reality is God = has given man free will. We have to use our God-given talents and protect ourselves." ************************************************** 25. Open house at G3 Security Group ************************************************** Greg Stone of G3 Security Group emailed me this. They are also going to have VCDL literature and other items at G3: -- Hello All: As some of you know, I have a new business venture, G3 Security Group Inc, and would like to invite you to our Open House on Friday October 23rd. When : Friday, October 23rd Time: Anytime between 6 and 8:30 pm Where: 15 Douglas Court, Suite 2A ( Second Floor ), Sterling, VA 20166 G3 Security Group will be providing NRA Certified Firearms Instruction. We will be teaching courses developed by the NRA, as well = as those developed by G3 geared toward concealed carry of a firearm. All courses will emphasize proper firearms handling, safety, shooting fundamentals and the responsibilities of gun ownership and use. Some of you have expressed an interest in taking one of our courses. Discounted course fees will be offered to all of you to include family, friends and business associates. Contact us for details. Here are the courses set for October and November. Friday October 9th- NRA Basic Pistol Friday October 16th- NRA Basic Pistol Wednesday October 21st- NRA First Steps Pistol Friday October 30th- NRA Basic Pistol Thursday November 5th- NRA First Steps Pistol Friday November 13th- NRA Basic Pistol Tuesday November 17th- NRA First Steps Pistol Thursday November 19th- NRA Basic Pistol Tuesday November 24th- NRA Basic Pistol Friday November 27th- NRA Basic Pistol All courses are conducted in our new classroom facility in Sterling. Classes meet at 6:00 pm with live fire range time by appointment. Personalized one-on-one, private and corporate instruction is also available. Completion of either of the above courses demonstrates proficiency with a handgun and meets the mandated training requirements for a permit to carry a concealed handgun in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have also partnered with the NRA-ILA in a program that I am both excited and proud to be a part. G3 Security Group Inc has volunteered to become a Second Amendment Activist Center in order to Help Spread The Truth & Promote Activism regarding our gun rights. Now, more than ever, the Second Amendment community needs to unite in defense of freedom, and this project will pay huge dividends for gun owners and the pro-freedom business community. NRA-ILA materials such information = sheets, bumper stickers , pins and election information are available for pick-up during regular business hours. If you have any questions call or email at your convenience. We hope to see all of you on October 23rd. Yours in Freedom Greg -- Greg Stone G3 Security Group, Inc Firearms Training and Consultation 703-437-8111 ------------------------------------------- ***************************************************************************