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Abbreviations used in VA-ALERT: http://www.vcdl.org/help/abbr.html
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VA-ALERT archives: http://www.listbox.com/member/archive/727/=now
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1. Attorney General Mark Herring sells out Virginia gun owners again and right before the election!
2. Hopefully good news for Arlington CHP holders 3. HELP NEEDED: Richmond Gun Show on November 11 & 12 4. San Francisco 49ers pledge $500,000 to push suppressor ban!
5. R.I.P. Second Amendment activist, former NRA editor, and author John Snyder 6. A look at public mass shootings in gun-free zones, mass shooting not more prevalent either 7. [IL] Even Illinois legislature REJECTS bump-stock ban 8. In depth timeline for the Las Vegas massacre 9. In Virginia, a coffee brand for gun advocates 10. Armed robber thwarted by armed store clerk in James City County 11. [MI] Police: armed citizen may have saved lives 12. [UK] Crime, including crime using guns, is climbing in gun-free England 13. Quiz: how well do you know your guns?
14. Four fabrications about firearms
15. You can vote absentee in person if you are going to be out of town on November 7 16. Left-wing militias part of Charlottesville lawsuit 17. Delegate John Bell (D) takes strong stand against bazookas and hand grenades! Huh?
18. Hmmmm - Democrats in Congress being guided away from gun control by leadership. At least for now...
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1. Attorney General Mark Herring sells out Virginia gun owners again and right before the election!
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I think Attorney General Mark Herring is confused about which state employs him. He thinks it's New York, but last I checked, it's Virginia!
Herring has done nothing to protect the gun owners of the Commonwealth. Instead he has done whatever he can to do the bidding of Bloomberg and the gun-control lobby.
First he tried to block reciprocity with 25 states, including the states that border Virginia. VCDL helped to stop him and managed to INCREASE reciprocity at the same time!
Now Herring has joined with his counterparts in New York, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and other rights-hating states and sent a letter to Congressional leaders. The letter asks those leaders to block national reciprocity! Has Herring already forgotten that Virginia already honors all other permits? National reciprocity wouldn't change a single thing about who can carry in Virginia. Who, exactly, does Herring think he is protecting? This is either malice or extreme incompetence. Either way he is doing a horrible job for Virginia's citizens.
Elections are November 7th. PLEASE DO NOT SIT IT OUT!
Thanks to member Mike Swift for the link:
https://bearingarms.com/tom-k/2017/...urce=badaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl
or
http://tinyurl.com/y7jbm2b7
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2. Hopefully good news for Arlington CHP holders
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Arlington County currently holds the dubious record for taking the longest time to issue CHPs in the Commonwealth. In fact, it is so bad that when a person applies for a new or a renewed permit, the Circuit Court Clerk's office will tell the applicant up front that their permit will not be ready in 45 days! The applicant gets a temporary permit after the 45 days are up, with their actual permit being issued in around 60 days or more!
Last Wednesday I arranged a meeting with the Arlington County Circuit Court Clerk, Paul Ferguson, and the Arlington County Commonwealth Attorney, Theo Stamos, at the Arlington County Court House Complex to address the issue.
Both brought their assistants who deal with issuing permits to the meeting.
I had no idea what to expect, considering that the Arlington County government is generally not all that friendly to gun owners. However, my reading was that both Ms. Stamos and Mr. Ferguson sincerely wanted to get to the bottom of the situation.
The meeting lasted an hour.
I started by pointing out that Fairfax has a vastly larger population than Arlington, but they manage to crank out CHPs in well under the 45-day limit.
One of the highlights was when Ms. Stamos asked Mr. Ferguson how many of the CHP applicants had their permits delayed past the 45-day limit. One of Mr. Ferguson's assistants replied, "All of them." Ms. Stamos, looking surprised, replied, "That is unacceptable!" To which I said, "Yes! I wouldn't have bothered everybody if this was something that happened only once in a while."
I asked Mr. Ferguson if issuing those temporary permits used up a lot of employee time, to which he said emphatically that it did.
During the discussions it turned out that the Commonwealth Attorney's office took about one week to process applications and the Clerk took about a week. The excessive time (5 weeks or so) was clearly the police running the background check! Something that should only have taken a few minutes in most cases.
So, worst case, if the Commonwealth Attorney took one week, the Clerk took one week, and the police took one week, a person should get their CHP issued within 3 to 4 weeks at the latest, not double that number!
The meeting wrapped up with Mr. Ferguson and Ms. Stamos agreeing to talk to their liaison with the police department to determine why there was such a long holdup and what could be done to remedy it.
Mr. Ferguson told me that hopefully things would be straightened out and running smoothly before January.
I will keep everyone apprised as I learn more.
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3. HELP NEEDED: Richmond Gun Show on November 11 & 12
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Volunteers are needed for the Richmond gun show on November 11-12 at the old K-Mart at:
6807 Midlothian Turnpike
Richmond, VA 23225
This is the last show for 2017 and it should be a big one.
Holiday shopping is just ramping up, and all the current political noise about firearms restrictions has Virginia gun owners and citizens concerned about future firearms availability and pricing.
Virginia needs a strong VCDL now and gun show attendees know it. The seasonal and political climate is ideal for us to tell citizens that VCDL will be at the forefront in fighting to protect the Second Amendment and the citizens' Constitutional Right to defend themselves, their family, and their community.
The show is open Saturday Nov. 11 from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday Nov. 12 from 10am to 5pm.
Volunteers are needed to staff the VCDL table. The volunteer schedule is broken down to two shifts each day:
Saturday November 11:
Morning shift - 9am-1pm
Afternoon shift - 1pm-5pm
Sunday November 12:
Morning shift - 10am-1:30pm
Afternoon shift- 1:30pm-5pm
Gun show experience is not required. First-time volunteers are very welcome.
Working at the show is fun! Admission for volunteers is free. Many exhibitors offer discounts to show volunteers.
But most importantly, you will be taking action and making a difference in the struggle to maintain this critical Constitutional Right of the People.
Please contact Mike Wilburt, Richmond gun show coordinator, with any questions and to volunteer your time in support of VCDL: gunshows.richmond@vcdl.org
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4. San Francisco 49ers pledge $500,000 to push suppressor ban!
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Yet another reason to turn your back on professional football. Besides insulting our country and bringing politics into the game, the San Francisco 49ers are now pushing a bump-stock ban, "armor piercing" ammunition ban, and a suppressor ban. Maybe it's professional football that should be banned:
http://www.breitbart.com/sports/201...0-secure-suppressor-ban-gun-control-measures/
or
http://tinyurl.com/ydfm89zq
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5. R.I.P. Second Amendment activist, former NRA editor, and author John Snyder
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I knew John and put a few of his items up on VA-ALERT over the years. He was a "mover-and-shaker" in the right for our gun rights and I was saddened to learn of his death.
(Don't confuse John Snyder with VCDL's VP, Jim Snyder - Jim is very much alive and kicking.)
https://conservativebase.com/r-i-p-...adviser-author-and-second-amendment-activist/
or
http://tinyurl.com/y9gfuz5z
R.I.P. John Michael Snyder, Former NRA Editor, Police Adviser, Author and Second Amendment Activist – Conservative Base Jim-Kouri
One of my dearest friends and colleagues, John M. Snyder, passed away on Sunday October 22, 2017 at the age of 79. He is survived by his loving wife Ling Snyder.
John was called “the dean of Washington gun lobbyists” by the Washington Post and New York Times. For 50 years he has defended American gun rights as an NRA editor, director of the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms and Second Amendment Foundation, and founder/director of www.GunRightsPolicies.org. He was also founder/manager of Telum Associates, LL.C, and the founder/chairman of the St. Gabriel Possenti Society, Inc.
John served on the boards of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and the American Federation of Police. He is the author of the book Gun Saint. he received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from the renowned Jesuit institution of higher learning, Georgetown University.
John Snyder contributed often to Conservative Base as a firearms and law enforcement expert and he will be sorely missed as a valuable source for news and commentary. One more thing: I’m so glad he lived to see his favorite candidate elected President of the United States. He worked hard to help get Trump elected. Thank you, John Michael Snyder.
John Michael Snyder:
Born: December 18,1939
Died: October 22, 2017
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6. A look at public mass shootings in gun-free zones, mass shooting not more prevalent either
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Two stories: one on the dangers of "gun-free zones" and the other on the false impression given in the media that mass public-shootings are on the rise.
Thanks to member Billy Huckleberry for the first link:
https://slowfacts.wordpress.com/2017/10/27/gun-laws-fail-again-and-people-die/
or
https://tinyurl.com/yb5fat72
And thanks to member T.S. Stewart III:
https://hotair.com/archives/2017/10/19/one-figure-probably-havent-heard-mass-shootings/
or
https://tinyurl.com/y8wuz5d5
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7. [IL] Even Illinois legislature REJECTS bump-stock ban
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If you've noticed, the bump-stock ban has suddenly disappeared. Even Illinois is not doing such a ban!
Thanks to member Walter Jackson for the link:
http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/10/26/bump-stock-ban-fails-deep-blue-illinois/
or
https://tinyurl.com/y78sxthm
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8. In depth timeline for the Las Vegas massacre
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I'm not a big fan of the New York Times because of their general lack of journalistic ethics, but sometimes they do a good job in spite of themselves. Thanks to member Rafael Pabon for the link:
https://www.nytimes.com/video/us/10..._th_20171022&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=61904650
or
http://tinyurl.com/yalxjec3
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9. In Virginia, a coffee brand for gun advocates
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For those of you who like coffee:
https://wydaily.com/2017/10/24/in-virginia-a-coffee-brand-for-gun-advocates-biz/
or
https://tinyurl.com/y8dz9bc8"
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10. Armed robber thwarted by armed store clerk in James City County
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The clerk will probably be fired by 7-Eleven, but at least the clerk is alive and not a dead "good little employee."
If the clerk is fired, I'd definitely avoid shopping at 7-Eleven. Running a convenience store can be a very dangerous job and the clerks should absolutely be allowed to defend themselves.
https://wydaily.com/2017/10/19/police-armed-clerk-thwarts-robber-at-7-eleven-nws/
or
https://tinyurl.com/y8zdp6y8
Police: Armed clerk thwarts robber at 7-Eleven WYDaily Staff
Police say a robber who attempted to steal two packs of cigarettes from a 7-Eleven was stopped by a clerk who was packing heat.
Officers from the James City County Police Department were dispatched to the 7-Eleven located at 6658 Richmond Road in Lightfoot after reports of an armed robbery shortly before 2 a.m. Oct. 9, according to spokeswoman Stephanie Williams.
A 56-year-old clerk told police that the suspect, armed with a knife, had approached him and demanded money.
The suspect swiped two packs of cigarettes before backing the clerk into a corner and demanding he open the register.
The clerk then drew his own handgun and the suspect fled on foot. Police said the clerk had a concealed carry permit for the weapon.
A man that matched the description of the suspect was located in the area and taken into custody. A knife was found nearby as well.
Clinton Abraham Frazer, a 30-year-old from Toano, was charged with petit larceny and felony armed robbery. He is scheduled to appear in Williamsburg/James City County General District Court Dec. 7.
No injuries were reported.
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11. [MI] Police: armed citizen may have saved lives
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Guns saving innocent lives.
http://conservativefiringline.com/michigan-shooting-cops-said-armed-citizen-may-saved-lives/
or
https://tinyurl.com/ycmsyegz
Cops said armed citizen may have saved lives ⋆ Conservative Firing Line Dave Workman
An incident in Michigan over the weekend underscores once again that armed citizens can fight back. (Dave Workman) In the aftermath of a fatal shooting at a Highland Park, Mich. gas station over the weekend, the Fox News affiliate in Detroit reportedly said a legally-armed citizen who fatally shot one of two men who opened fire “may have helped reduce the number of fatalities.”
“Police believe the CPL holder’s actions may have helped reduce the number of fatalities,” the station reported.
According to WJBK, two carloads of men were parked side-by-side at the station when a pair of gunmen “emerged from a nearby field on foot” and allegedly opened fire. It was their bad luck that one of the men in the two cars was legally licensed to carry and he returned fire, fatally wounding one of the attackers.
The second suspect got away and police were searching for him, according to WXYZ News.
This is hardly the first time an armed citizen has acted in self-defense somewhere in the United States. According to the annual FBI Uniform Crime Report, armed citizens account for hundreds of bad guys taken down permanently in any given year.
In 2016, the most recent year for which data is available, private citizens killed 331 criminals, and 276 of them used firearms. Of that number, 197 used handguns, 12 used rifles, 10 used shotguns and in 57 of those cases, the type of firearm was not identified.
This tends to refute claims by anti-gunners that armed citizens don’t use guns in self-defense.
Across the country, there are an estimated 16.5 million legally licensed citizens who may be packing a defensive sidearm on any given day. According to Michigan State Police data, as of Oct. 2, there were well over 600,000 citizens in the Great Lakes State who are licensed to carry.
Something that gun prohibitionists are fond of saying in support of whatever gun control law they are pushing at any given moment is that, “If it saves just one life, isn’t it worth it?”
The same question could easily be asked in the wake of each incident like the one in Highland Park about concealed carry licensing.
Presently, Congress is either preparing to consider, or sitting on, federal legislation that would establish national concealed carry reciprocity. Michigan has, for several years, recognized out-of-state carry permits and licenses. Many states have reciprocity agreements with other states, but there is no national law that protects legally-armed private citizens traveling from state to state.
Anti-gunners have also long promoted the idea of “licensing” and “registration” of gun owners the same way we license drivers and register their cars. Lately, the gun control crowd hasn’t been that vocal since reciprocity activists have suggested that common sense would require that their proposal translates to national reciprocity. Suddenly, licensing and registration don’t make that much sense to anti-gunners after all.
The motive behind the gas station shooting hasn’t been reported, nor has there been any word about possible criminal charges in that case, but based on published reports so far, it appears a legally-armed citizen was in the right place at the right time.
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12. [UK] Crime, including crime using guns, is climbing in gun-free England
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Should the U.S. go down the rabbit hole with England on gun control? Sure looks like that would be a very bad idea if the intent is to reduce violent crime:
http://libertyparkpress.com/liberal-myth-explodes-new-brit-crime-data/
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13. Quiz: how well do you know your guns?
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Thanks to member Arnoldo for the link:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/quiz/2015/feb/25/how-well-do-you-know-guns-take-quiz/#question-1
or
https://tinyurl.com/kndnw4r
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14. Four fabrications about firearms
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This article exposes the falsehoods that:
* More guns means more murder
* More guns means less safety
* Guns are far more likely to be used for harm than self defense
* Owning a gun increases your risk of homicide and suicide
http://www.justfactsdaily.com/four-fabrications-about-firearms/
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15. You can vote absentee in person if you are going to be out of town on November 7
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EM Mike Stollenwerk wanted me to remind you that if you are going to be out of town on November 7, you can vote absentee in person.
REMEMBER - WE NEED A STRONG TURNOUT ON ELECTION DAY!
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16. Left-wing militias part of Charlottesville lawsuit
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Some many not realize it, but there are definitely left-wing militias out there. Watching the mainstream media you'd swear that wasn't the case.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/10/2...-its-own-charlottesville-lawsuit-reveals.html
or
http://tinyurl.com/yb2k8oth
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17. Delegate John Bell (D) makes strong stand against bazookas and hand grenades! Huh?
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John Bell plans on protecting everybody from all the recent bloodshed in Virginia from the use of bazookas, flamethrowers, hand grenades, machine guns, and rocket launchers! Hey, wait a minute...
Political ads at their worst:
http://www.johnbellfordelegate.com/press-releases/delegate-john-bell’s-campaign-releases-tv-ad
or
https://tinyurl.com/yc24zng4
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18. Hmmmm - Democrats in Congress being guided away from gun control by leadership. At least for now...
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I don't think the Democrats in Congress have quite forgotten what happened to their Party after they crammed the 1993 Clinton Assault Weapon Ban down the throats of Americans: they lost the House and Senate and after Bill Clinton's term was up, they lost the Presidency.
Bump-stock ban? What bump-stock ban? (At least until after the election.)
https://www.newsmax.com/t/newsmax/article/820653/16
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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 human rights of all Virginians. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right.
VCDL web page: http://www.vcdl.org [http://www.vcdl.org/]
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