Gun rights advocates defend open-carry law

The Washginton Times ^ | July 20, 2004 | Christina Bellantoni

[ArrogantBustard]

Virginians who exercise their right to carry guns in public have been criticized -- even ridiculed -- in recent days by critics on the both sides of the Potomac. But many gun rights advocates, state lawmakers and residents point out that it's much safer to shop, drive or walk along a street in Virginia than in the District, where handguns are banned and police just declared a "crime emergency."

...

Virginia state Sen. Janet D. Howell says she was surprised when a D.C. resident sent her an e-mail saying he won't be crossing the Potomac into Virginia anymore because of the open-carry law.
"He feels that the District of Columbia is a safer place to be," said Mrs. Howell, Fairfax County Democrat.
Crime statistics, however, indicate that Fairfax County is much safer than the District, even though the city has a fraction of the population of its southern neighbor.
From January through April this year, Fairfax County had four homicides while the District had 64. There were 189 robberies in Fairfax County compared with 1,214 robberies in the District, and 18 rapes compared with 100 rapes in the city.

...

But some police officers aren't aware of the law.
One Fairfax County officer recently confiscated guns worn by two persons at a Starbucks. When he realized his mistake, he called the men the next day and returned their guns and did not file charges, said Fairfax County Police Sgt. Richard Perez.
"Residents see people openly carrying handguns and call us, and we respond," Sgt. Perez said. "We use instances like that to continue to educate all our officers on what the laws are."

[ArrogantBustard]

Anyone who "feels" that the District of Columbia is safer than Virginia is off his rocker.

The Police really need to be educated as to the law.

[kcar]

When he realized his mistake, he called the men the next day and returned their guns and did not file charges

That's certainly nice of the LEO, having illegally confiscated the weapons through his own ignorance of the law, that he returned them without filing charges.

[Mike1973]

Geez, wasn't DC the murder capital of the country for a period of years? All this despite some really harsh gun control.

Here's an idea, lets take away the constitutional rights of honest American citizens and then let them be victims to criminals. I don't see how we can go wrong.

[ArrogantBustard]

DC Has been the "murder capital" of the US several times in the two decades I've lived in the area.

I find the comparison with Fairfax County simply jaw-dropping. However, the difference is more than just the gun-ban, self defense thing. Outside the tourist areas, the District is a fascinating study in political, social, and economic pathology. If you wonder what the Democratic Party wants the entire USA to be like, have a gander at Washington City.

[RockinRight]

He feels that the District of Columbia is a safer place to be

What kind of drugs is this guy on?

[Rakkasan1]

the kind called Klinton Koolaid

[Rakkasan1]

funny. the LEO's always tell ya ignorance of the law is
not an excuse for breaking the law....

[oyez]

....saying he won't be crossing the Potomac into Virginia anymore because of the open-carry law.

Hey-hey! The new law is paying off already.

[robertpaulsen]

"DC Has been the "murder capital"* of the US several times in the two decades I've lived in the area.

*Based on murders per 100,000 population.

But for sheer raw numbers of total murders per year, gun-free Chicago tops the list.

[ArrogantBustard]

But for sheer raw numbers of total murders per year, gun-free Chicago tops the list.

YAAAAAAAY, Chicago!!!!!

We're Number One!!!

We're Number One!!!

We're Number One!!!

We're Number One!!!

Hey, waidaminnit ...

[Indie]

Outside the tourist areas, the District is a fascinating study in political, social, and economic pathology. If you wonder what the Democratic Party wants the entire USA to be like, have a gander at Washington City.

Have a look at my old neighborhood in Dallas..or any "old neighborhood" in any major city. Immigration, multi-culturalism, PC crime laws have turned the safe neighborhood where I grew up into a third world non-English speaking country. There is not an English sign anywhere to be seen. Gangs of scumbags loiter and walk the streets.

I've never gone back,,I can't take it without crying.

Now watch the PC Freepublicrats flame me..

[gonzo]

"...The Police really need to be educated as to the law..."

Well, A-B, the DC Police exist only to cover for the Politicos that live in that cesspool. Chandra Levys bones were found in a place that had been carefully searched many times, but only discovered after all forensic evidence had been weathered-away.

Virginia law seems to understand the Second Ammendment, but their Police need some training in it.............FRegards

[CurlyDave]

That's certainly nice of the LEO, having illegally confiscated the weapons through his own ignorance of the law, that he returned them without filing charges.

Why has this LEO not been charged with a crime?

It might be hard to make robbery stick since he ultimately gave them back, but assault under color of authority seems appropriate.

Ignorance of the law is not a defense for the serfs, but it seems to be one for the masters.

[Condor51]

"a D.C. resident sent her an e-mail saying he won't be crossing the Potomac into Virginia anymore because of the open-carry law."

---

Hmm...? Now could this guy's decision be based on the fact that he's a Career Criminal and doesn't want to get shot?