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1. VA/ND now have reciprocity
2. Bloomberg does it again - this time with gun shows
3. Freedom rally head count
4. Gun shows and events
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1. VA / ND now have reciprocity
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Tom Lambert with the Virginia State Police has just notified me that Virginia and North Dakota now have reciprocity!
Here is the information:
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2. Bloomberg does it again - this time with gun shows
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Bloomberg stayed away from Virginia with this one.
What he found was there are those who are willing to commit criminal acts by selling to someone they believe can't possess a gun legally.
But that is already a crime and the law would just need to be enforced.
Bloomberg also discovered that you can't stop straw purchases the vast majority of the time.
I love this one - because it totally destroys what Bloomberg claims he can accomplish by requiring background check for private sales! The admission that 16 out of 17 straw purchases attempted at the gun shows were successful proves that background checks won't stop criminals from getting guns.
Even more obvious - If private sales had do go through a background check, the same people who sold guns to someone who said they couldn't pass a background check, could simply break the background check law and still sell the gun without the check. If you are going to break one law, why not two, or ten? Duh.
The change in the number of criminals getting guns by making private sales go through background checks: no change, just more hassles for everybody else - and THAT is Bloomberg's real goal.
ALSO, I just watched the video on Fox News of one of the sales. I don't think the seller even heard the undercover agent say he wouldn't be able to pass a background check - the agent said it quietly while the seller himself was talking! The microphone, which was on the agent, picked it up, but it was pretty clear to me that the seller did not hear the statement.
Of course admitting that the seller was unaware of that statement would screw up Bloomberg's amateurish "sting" and the truth hasn't stopped Bloomberg before.
NYC undercover stings expose 'gun show loophole' By SARA KUGLER, Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK – New York City officials secretly videotaped dozens of firearm purchases they say were illegal at gun shows in states that have not closed the "gun show loophole."
The sting, described in a city report released Wednesday, was conducted at seven gun shows in Tennessee, Ohio and Nevada. Those states are among the many that permit private unlicensed dealers, known as "occasional sellers," to sell weapons at gun shows without conducting background checks.
Gun-control advocates say the loophole makes it easier for criminals to acquire guns and prevents law enforcement from being able to trace those weapons if they are used in crimes.
Nine states, including New York, have passed laws to close the loophole, requiring background checks on at least all handgun purchases at gun shows. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has long campaigned for Congress to close the loophole, and for states to do it on their own if the federal government does not.
Even in states that haven't closed the loophole, federal law bars"occasional sellers" from selling guns to people they have reason to believe would fail a background check.
This is where the Bloomberg operation says 19 out of 30 sellers broke the law during the investigation, in which undercover buyers wore tiny cameras concealed in baseball hats and purses and audio recorders hidden in wristwatches.
In each purchase, the investigator showed interest in buying a gun, agreed on a price and then indicated that he probably could not pass a background check.
Most sellers allowed the purchases anyway, responding in some cases by saying, "I couldn't pass one either," or "I don't care," according to the city's report.
Two assault rifles and 20 semiautomatic handguns were bought this way, the report said.
The 11 who refused sales showed they knew the law.
"Once you say that, I'm kind of obligated not to," said one seller, according to the report. "I think that's what the rules are."
"Fact is, you done told me too much," said another who refused. "I wouldn't sell one to you at all."
The city has no legal authority over the dealers and is using its findings to make a point. A copy of the report is being sent to every member of Congress and the findings will be shared the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
"The gun show loophole is a deadly serious problem, and this undercover operation exposes just how pervasive and serious it is," the mayor said in a statement.
The undercover operation took place from about May to August and its $1.5 million cost was paid by city taxpayers. The city hired a team of 40 private investigators from an outside firm to make the purchases.
The sting comes three years after Bloomberg's administration conducted a similar operation focusing on illegal straw purchases at gun shops in Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Virginia that authorities believe were responsible for selling guns used in crimes in New York City. (A straw purchase is when one person fills out the paperwork and buys the gun for somebody else.)
Bloomberg's administration brought a civil case against 27 gun dealerstargeted in its 2006 investigation.
As a result of the suit, 20 dealers are being monitored by a court-appointed special master. One is out of business, two more are expected to be put under monitoring agreements and three were dropped from the suit. A final dealer settled with the city but the terms did not include a monitor.
Investigators in this year's sting also attempted straw purchases at gun shows, and were successful 16 out of 17 times.
The city said it was not planning civil action this time around.
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3. Freedom rally head count
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We now have 206 RSVPs for the VCDL Freedom Rally. The rally is on Saturday, October 17th, from 2 PM to 7 PM in Henrico County at Cox & Broad St. at the Innsbrook Shoppes mall (which is in the Richmond area).
With the radio coverage here in Richmond of the event, I expect that the attendee count is low as the only people we are asking to RSVP are those on VA-ALERT.
I am told that the word is spreading through other freedom groups as well. If you are a member of such a group, be sure their leadership knows about this.
To RSVP, send an email to:
FreedomRally@vcdl.org
Make the subject line "YES" with a dash and the number of attendees, like this: "YES - 4"
We will NOT read the body of the email itself, but will simply count attendance by looking at the subject line.
**Please respond ONLY if you are ABLE to attend.**
See you Saturday, October 17th from 2:00 PM to 7 PM!
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4. Gun shows and events
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The Virginia Citizens Defense League thanks the following
member-activists who generously gave of their time to advance and
help defend the rights of their fellow gun owners by working our
recruiting and information booths at gun shows around the state.
Fishersville, September 26-27
Speedy & Terry Mercer, Steve Layman, Franz J. Bailey, Dr. Jerry Coffey, Edward N. Martin Jr., Brian Weidman, and Mike Piper
Dale City, September 26-27
Sam Work, Tom Pietras, Dorian Smith, Terrell Purde', Claira Jackson, John Talbert, Keith & Tori Dingwall, Vin Miragliotta, Craig Smith, Dr. Jerry Coffey, and Sam Childress
As an all volunteer organization, VCDL depends on YOU to volunteer
your time at our area events, where we recruit new activists and keep
gun owners informed. No experience necessary; if it's your first time
we'll pair you with a veteran volunteer. To find out more about
helping at our gun show tables, go to:
and click on any of the blue links, or contact the coordinator for
the show/event listed below with which you are interested in helping.
Here are the upcoming events with which we need YOUR help:
a. HARRISONBURG http://www.showmasters.us, October 10-11
Saturday, October 10 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 11 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Please contact Bob Schmidt at Shenandoahgunshows@vcdl.org to help
in Harrisonburg.
b. VIRGINIA BEACH http://www.guns-knives.com, October 10-11
Saturday, October 10 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 11 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Please contact Ron and Jean Hyson at VBgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Virginia Beach.
c. RICHMOND http://www.cegunshows.com, October 17-18
Saturday, October 17 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 18 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Contact Audrey Muehleisen at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help at
the Showplace in Mechanicsville.
d. FREDERICKSBURG http://www.guns-knives.com, October 24-25
Saturday, October 24 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 25 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contact Robert Herron at Fredericksburggunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Fredericksburg.
e. ROANOKE http://www.showmasters.us, October 24-25, 2009
Saturday, October 24 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 25 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Roanoke.
f. RICHMOND http://www.guns-knives.com, Oct 31-Nov 1, 2009
Saturday, October 31 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 1 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
*** NEW GUN SHOW ***
Please contact our coordinator at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help at the Meadow Event Park.
g. DALE CITY http://www.olddominionshows.com, November 7-8
Saturday, November 7 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 8 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Please contact Sam Childress at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Dale City.
h. NORFOLK http://www.showmasters.us, November 7-8
Saturday, November 7 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 8 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Please contact Ed Burton at Norfolkgunshows@vcdl.org to help at
the Norfolk Scope.
i. RICHMOND http://www.showmasters.us, November 14-15
Saturday, November 14 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 15 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contact our coordinator at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help at
the Richmond Raceway Complex.
j. CHANTILLY http://www.cegunshows.com, November 20-22
Friday, November 20 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 21 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 22 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Please contact Danny Paulson at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Chantilly.
k. HAMPTON http://www.guns-knives.com, November 28-29
Saturday, November 28 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 29 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Please contact Ron Lilly at HamptonRoadsgunshows@vcdl.org to help
in Hampton.
l. RICHMOND http://www.cegunshows.com, December 5-6
Saturday, December 5 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 6 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Contact Audrey Muehleisen at CentralVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help at
the Showplace in Mechanicsville.
m. HARRISONBURG http://www.showmasters.us, December 12-13
Saturday, December 12 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Please contact Bob Schmidt at Shenandoahgunshows@vcdl.org to help
in Harrisonburg.
n. FREDERICKSBURG http://www.guns-knives.com, December 12-13
Saturday, December 12 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 13 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contact Robert Herron at Fredericksburggunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Fredericksburg.
o. DALE CITY http://www.olddominionshows.com, December 19-20
Saturday, December 19 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 20 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Please contact Sam Childress at NOVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in
Dale City.
p. SALEM http://www.cegunshows.com, December 19-20
Saturday, December 19 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, December 20 10:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Please contact Al Steed, Jr. at SWVAgunshows@vcdl.org to help in Salem.