Virginia Election Alert

In the race for Governor of Virginia, the NRA Political Victory Fund has issued a grade of A- to Republican Mark Earley, and a grade of C to Democrat Mark Warner. In our judgment, Mark Earley is clearly a better candidate for Virginia`s NRA members and gun owners.

The Democratic candidate, Mark Warner, has altered his public stance on issues of concern to gun owners several times -- first since serving as chairman of the state Democratic party, and then since running unsuccessfully against Senator John Warner in 1996.

As chairman of the Democratic party, Warner made comments that were clearly hostile toward the NRA and Virginia`s gun owners. More recently, as a U.S. Senate candidate in 1996, he stated his support for parts of the Clinton/Gore anti-gun agenda.

But when he kicked off this year`s race, Mark Warner told us "that was then, this is now." He asked for an opportunity to outline his current views on issues of concern to Virginia gun owners, since he doesn`t have a record of votes or other public service to review. As a result, Warner`s grade (detailed below) is based entirely on his public statements of current positions, several of which do conflict with positions he has stated in the past.

Certainly, Mark Earley has not always been everything gun owners would like in a candidate. During his tenure as a state Senator, he cast a vote in favor of the gun-rationing limit -- the notorious "one-gun-per-month" law.

But this issue stands alone as one on which we disagree. Earley also cast numerous pro-gun votes in the Senate, and when he ran for Virginia Attorney General, NRA-PVF endorsed him over an F-rated opponent. He was an ally of Virginia`s gun owners as Attorney General, leading the way in launching a statewide Project Exile, and in fighting back against the reckless city lawsuits intended to bankrupt the gun industry. Earley`s grade reflects a record of service that is, on balance, pro-gun.

The grades issued by NRA`s Political Victory Fund are also based in candidate responses to an identical questionnaire, as well as their positions on NRA and gun issues as stated in their debates and other public appearances. The grading revealed several clear differences between the candidates.

Mark Earley has stated his support for several key pro-gun reforms in Virginia, while Mark Warner has stated that he would sign several expansions of current firearm restrictions. These differences are centered on the state`s Right-to-Carry law, which established a fair and uniform system for the issuance of concealed-carry permits, and Virginia`s preemption statute, which establishes uniform firearm purchase and ownership regulations statewide.

Warner opposes reforms to Virginia`s gun-rationing law, such as exempting holders of concealed-carry permits from the limit of one-gun-per-month, despite the exhaustive background check permit holders undergo. Warner also favors allowing city councils and county boards to suspend the state Right-to-Carry law "in locally-owned facilities." Local governments could then deny the self-protection rights of permit holders in any number of commonly-traveled areas.

Warner also opposes important reforms to Virginia`s state preemption law. Warner opposes expanding preemption to eliminate existing local regulations that currently create a confusing patchwork of regulations for gun owners in Virginia.

Earley supports important reforms to Virginia`s gun-rationing law, including exempting carry permit holders, and exempting firearm transfers between friends and family.

Earley supports important reforms to Virginia`s preemption law, including the elimination of confusing and useless local regulations that were long ago made pointless by uniform state laws that accomplish the same goals. Earley also opposes allowing city councils and county boards to decide where and when they can suspend uniform state laws.

As you can see, these differences are clear. But perhaps the clearest difference in attitude toward our fundamental rights can be seen in the candidates` answers to a question posed during the debate in Richmond on Wednesday, October 3, 2001. A viewer asked both candidates, "Do you support additional gun control laws and do you think the NRA is a positive or negative force in Virginia?"

Warner: "I believe the NRA reflects and represents a number of Virginians...I believe it is basically an organization that adequately and well represents those sportsmen."

Earley: "I think the NRA is a very positive influence in Virginia because it stands up for an amendment that a lot of people don`t stand up for and that`s the Second Amendment...the Second Amendment is not about hunting; hunting is different. The Second Amendment is about an individual`s right to keep and bear arms; a particular individual right guaranteed as one of the fundamental rights that are in our Constitution. It`s important, and if anybody thinks otherwise, they only need to read the Constitution of the United States."

We believe the differences between the candidates are substantial and that Mark Earley is the best candidate for NRA Members in Virginia.

Also be sure to vote for NRA-PVF-endorsed candidates Republican Jay Katzen for Virginia Lieutenant Governor and Republican Jerry Kilgore for Virginia Attorney General!

In addition to voting for these candidates, please contact your local Election Volunteer Coordinator (EVC) to find out what you can do in the coming days to ensure we elect pro-freedom lawmakers to statewide office in Virginia. Your EVC is a local NRA member who will be working with the Earley, Katzen, and Kilgore campaigns to provide them with volunteers in the remaining days prior to November 6. To identify and contact your EVC, please go to http://www.nraila.org/VoterInfo.asp#EVCbyZIP.

Also, if you wish to contact the Earley, Katzen, and Kilgore campaigns directly to offer your assistance, please use the contact information below:

EARLEY FOR GOVERNOR 2001
1111 N. Thompson Street, Suite 201
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: (804) 440-2001
Fax: (804) 440-2010
e-mail: Mark@MarkEarley.com
website: www.markearley.com

Hampton Roads Regional Office:
1104 Madison Plaza, Ste. 101
Chesapeake, VA 23320
Phone: (757) 482-3100
Fax: (757) 482-3118

Northern Virginia Campaign Headquarters:
6320 Augusta Drive, Suite 300
Springfield, VA 22153
Phone: (703) 388-0800
Fax: (703) 388-0821

JAY KATZEN FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
website: www.jaykatzen.com
e-mail: jay2001@jaykatzen.com

Richmond Office:
Suite 225
1001 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 421-6871

VIRGINIANS FOR JERRY KILGORE
P.O. Box 17098
Richmond, VA 23226
Phone: (804) 421-9966
Fax: (804) 421-9968
e-mail: Jerry@KilgoreforAG.com
website: www.kilgoreforag.com

9th District Office:
789 W. Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24210
Phone: (540) 623-1925
e-mail: Israel@KilgoreforAG.com

And he represents the conservatives? Good grief!!!!! Looks like we need a Virginia political forum. Regardless of who wins, we need to get something going out here. And what's this talk about reducing the car tax? Let's get rid of the infernal thing.

Looks like we need a Virginia political forum

I agree! But, we have got to vote and Warner is not an option.

Thanks for the post Jackie .... Early would not NORMALLY be my choice , although his RUNNING MATES are absolutely top drawer.... it's just that I can't stand the Chameleon Carpetbagger Warner who made his fortunes on the coattails of Doug Wilder and Wm the Impeached Clinton ....and Warner's running mates are absolute leftists !!!! As Larry Sabato asked, " Mr. Warner , if I should happen to vote for you, WHICH Mark Warner would I be voting for ." That says it all except he chose the most vicious leftists he could to run with him and he is a lying scalawag to boot !!!

And he represents the conservatives? Good grief!!!!!

Try reading the entire article instead of just a couple of sentences.

Early is the superior candidate, but Warner looks and acts like a combination of Bobby Kennedy and a movie star. That's what's hurting Early.

Warner looks and acts like a combination of Bobby Kennedy and a movie star.

Sure, if that movie star is named PeeWee Herman. Warner is a complete dork, who should really consider just smiling and kissing babies (no speaking!) in his commercials.

What's hurting Earley is Warner is loaded and has been running for this office for years.

Yet it's still anyone's race. VOTER TURNOUT!

Bobby Kennedy and a movie star.

I know, the eyes have it.......hopefully not.

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