2001 VCDL House Candidate Survey

Survey Results

1. Current Virginia law already establishes penalties for anyone carrying a gun while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs. However, since 1995, Virginia's concealed carry law has prohibited concealed carry by permit holders (even if they aren't drinking) in ABC licensed restaurants and clubs. Prior to 1995, permit holders faced no such restriction and there were no problems. This means that restaurants have become "safety zones" for violent criminals and that law-abiding citizens may be at risk not only at dinner, but when walking to and from their car in a dark, secluded parking lot.

Will you vote FOR legislation to completely repeal this "restaurant ban" on carrying of concealed handguns by permit holders?

2. The process of fingerprinting of concealed weapon permit applicants treats law-abiding citizens like common criminals and results in FBI registration of applicants. No matter what the Virginia code requires, the FBI never destroys a finger print record once it is received. Many other states (Pennsylvania, for example, with over a half million permits issued) do not require fingerprinting of concealed weapons applicants and have not experienced any problems.

Will you vote FOR legislation to repeal the fingerprint language in Virginia's concealed weapons law?

3. Vermont has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the nation. The Vermont carry law recognizes that every citizen has the right to carry a gun, openly or concealed, except to commit a crime. Thus, with no government bureaucracy or license, Vermont citizens can defend themselves. Criminals who use arms, however, are severely punished.

Will you vote FOR Vermont-style carry legislation which would eliminate all requirements to pay fees and register gun owners and simply allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms openly or concealed (at the individual's discretion) for any reason except for the commission of a crime?

4. Many states have "reciprocity" arrangements where they recognize each other's concealed carry permits. Despite recent modifications, Virginia's reciprocity laws remain so restrictive that only 2 states qualify. This is no better than the original language that the National Rifle Association characterized as "the most severely restricted reciprocation language in the nation". Currently 7 states unilaterally recognize Virginia concealed carry permits. The more states that Virginia recognizes, the more states that will recognize Virginia.

Will you vote FOR legislation recognizing all other states' concealed carry permits?

5. Gun control advocates frequently attempt to discourage gun ownership by creating a patchwork of differing local government ordinances. Most recently, efforts were made to authorize Roanoke, Richmond, and Fairfax County to enact ordinances restricting the carrying or possession of firearms in certain municipal facilities.

Will you vote AGAINST any bill that allows localities to restrict the carrying or possession of firearms by law-abiding citizens in recreation centers or other local government facilities?

6. Virginia's firearms preemption law grandfathers local ordinances passed prior to January 1, 1987. In addition, Virginia law contains an antiquated 1944 measure requiring municipalities with a population density in excess of 1000 per square mile to issue handgun purchase permits. These laws turn many Virginians into second class citizens and subject them to the inconvenience and danger of waiting periods based solely upon the jurisdiction in which they choose to make their purchase.

In certain locations in Virginia, a citizen who makes the personal choice to purchase a handgun may have to wait up to 8 weeks or more for police approval. This uncalled for delay exists despite Virginia's "instant check" system.

Will you vote FOR legislation to eliminate grandfathered waiting period/police approval laws, local gun control ordinances, and repeal the antiquated 1944 law?

7. Currently, Virginia has posted signs on its highways referring to an "Illegal Gun". Guns are not illegal, but criminal acts are.

Will you SUPPORT revising these signs to refer to criminal acts rather than to continue to demonize firearms?

8. Most firearms experts recognize that mechanical devices, such as trigger locks, create an extremely dangerous condition, whereby a gun can be fired accidentally. These dangerous "lock up your safety" devices may render a handgun ineffective when most needed and leave an individual or family defenseless and vulnerable to attack. Additionally, trigger locks create a false sense of security similar to that created when child safety caps were mandated which resulted in a significant increase in child poisonings when parents came to rely on the "safety" caps rather than education to protect their children..

Will you vote AGAINST government mandated use of trigger locks or other such hazardous "safety" devices which have the effect of making it difficult, if not impossible, to have a gun available to defend your home and family?

9. Gun control advocates and the news media have made a concerted effort to demonize gun shows as a place where criminals have ready access to firearms. In Virginia, the State Police maintain strict control over all gun shows and dealers are required to ensure that all firearm purchases are approved by the State Police whether the sale is consummated at a gun show or at the dealer’s place of business.

Will you vote AGAINST any legislation designed to limit or curtail gun shows in Virginia?

10. In 1993, Governor Doug Wilder led an emotional and irrational stampede that limited the number of handguns law-abiding citizens may purchase to one every 30 days -- with police permission required for multiple purchases. Today, most Americans understand that: 1) criminals will always find ways of obtaining weapons whether legally or illegally and 2) that limiting the legal activities of honest citizens reduces popular support for the law and undermines our legal system.

Will you vote FOR legislation to repeal Virginia's "one-gun-a-month" rationing law?

11. So-called gun control advocates have attempted to ban various classes of firearms and related items such as semi-automatic copies of military rifles and carbines, inexpensive handguns (erroneously called "Saturday Night Specials"), high-capacity magazines, etc.

Will you OPPOSE ALL gun bans?

Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. • P.O. Box 513, Newington, VA 22122 • 804-639-0600